Privacy
How the trail handles information.
Last updated September 27, 2026
Trip planning
Your current Trip Mode stops, direction, saved shops, saved trip snapshots, and install preference are stored in your browser on your device. If you use “Find shops near me,” your browser asks for permission and uses the location to order nearby shops; the trail does not save that location.
Location search and driving routes
When you find locations, the entered city, ZIP code, or address is sent through our server to Photon (komoot). When you build a route, the selected coordinates are sent to the public OSRM routing service. These providers may log requests under their own privacy practices. Your route and endpoints are kept on this device with your trip; we do not send entered addresses or route coordinates to Analytics. The map uses OpenStreetMap tiles. An internet connection is required to search and calculate routes.
Shared trips
A trip link contains only the selected public shop identifiers and travel direction. Anyone you send the link to can load that route; the link does not contain your name, account information, or precise location.
Offline use
The installable app stores copies of public trail pages and app files on your device so previously loaded information can remain available without a connection. Live map tiles, ratings, directions, and submissions still require internet access.
Native mobile app
The iPhone and Android app stores the public shop and show directories, saved shops and shows, current trip, saved trip snapshots, and your private trail-passport history on your device. No account is required. If you choose to create an optional collector account, we store your email address, account identifier, saved shops and shows, trips, reminder preferences, and trail-passport visits so those items can be backed up and synced across your devices. This account information is used only to provide account and sync features, is not sold or used for advertising or tracking, and is deleted when you delete your account in the app. Authentication sessions are encrypted on the device. When online, the app also requests updated copies of the public directories from cardshoptrail.com.
Website analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand visits and how people use features such as filters, saved trips, map links, and shop links. Analytics may receive the page visited, general device and browser information, referring source, approximate region, and the action taken. We do not send names, email addresses, submission details, or precise device location to Analytics. Google describes its handling of this information in the Google Privacy Policy.
Google ratings and maps
When ratings are available, the trail displays a saved weekly snapshot of each shop’s rating, review count, and Maps listing. Browsing the trail does not send shop lookups to Google Places. Google’s handling of information is described in the Google Privacy Policy.
Shop submissions and claims
If you submit a verification, correction, nomination, or shop claim, we store the listing details, contact information, and participation choices so we can review the request and follow up. Contact information is not displayed publicly. An uploaded logo remains private during review and is used publicly only when an authorized shop representative grants explicit permission.
Show submissions and flyers
If you submit a card show, we store the event details, your contact information, and any optional flyer so we can verify the listing and follow up. Contact information and unpublished flyers are not displayed publicly. An approved flyer may appear with the show listing only when the submitter confirms they have permission to share it.
External links
The trail links to Google Maps and shop websites. Those services have their own privacy practices.