Last Updated: January 12, 2026
EkiWalk is designed with your privacy in mind. This app operates entirely on your device, and your health data never leaves your iPhone.
This app requests permission to read your step count data from Apple Health (HealthKit) for the sole purpose of tracking your virtual journey progress along various train routes in Japan.
Specifically, we access:
• Step count data (required)
• Height data (optional - used to calculate personalized step length for more accurate distance tracking)
• Only from the time you start your journey
We do NOT access any other health data such as heart rate, location, workout data, or any other health metrics.
Your health data is used exclusively to:
• Calculate your distance traveled (using step count and optionally height for personalized step length)
• Determine your progress along the route
• Unlock station postcards when you reach them
• Display your current station and journey statistics
All calculations happen locally on your device. No health data is ever transmitted, stored on external servers, or shared with third parties.
The following information is stored locally on your device using iOS UserDefaults:
• Your journey start date
• Your total journey step count
• Your current route selection
• Which postcards you've unlocked
• Your completed journey history
• Your distance unit preference (kilometers or miles)
• Notification preferences
This data remains on your device and is only used to maintain your journey progress. It can be deleted at any time by resetting your journey or uninstalling the app.
We do not:
• Collect any personal information
• Share your health data with anyone
• Send your data to external servers
• Track your location
• Use analytics or advertising
• Sell or monetize your data in any way
This app has no internet connection requirements and operates completely offline.
If you enable notifications, the app will send you local notifications when you reach new stations. These notifications are generated entirely on your device and do not involve any external services.
You have complete control over your data:
• You can revoke HealthKit access at any time through iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Health → EkiWalk
• You can disable notifications in the app's About tab or iOS Settings
• You can reset your journey data at any time using the Reset Journey button
• You can delete all app data by uninstalling the app
If we update this privacy policy, the new version will be included in an app update with the "Last Updated" date changed accordingly.
If you have questions about this privacy policy or how your data is handled, please contact ekiwalk@matthewamsterburton.com
By using EkiWalk, you agree to this privacy policy.