Request for permission: contextual lightning activity in a free safety-prevention app

[MorganC]

Hello,

I am the developer of Urgences, a French iOS emergency-assistance app.

I would like to ask whether a limited use of Blitzortung data could be authorized for a free safety-prevention feature.

Urgences already shows official thunderstorm alerts. When a user opens one of these alerts, I would like to show a small visual indication of recent lightning activity near the affected area, alongside practical safety advice.

This would not be a standalone lightning map, weather app, or alerting system.

More specifically:

• Blitzortung data would never trigger warnings, push notifications, risk scores, or emergency decisions;
  
• it would not be used to predict lightning or indicate that an area is safe;
  
• the feature would be free for all users and not behind the optional Urgences+ subscription;
  
• it would only appear inside an already-opened official thunderstorm alert;
  
• Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited;
  
• data would be retrieved through our own intermediary server;
  
• I would comply with any attribution, caching, licensing, and technical requirements.
  

I understand that Blitzortung does not allow storm warning systems or simple copies of existing visualizations. The intended use would only be a small contextual element inside a free prevention screen, intended to help users take shelter and follow appropriate safety advice.

Would this be acceptable? If needed, could you please indicate the correct way to contact Egon or request authorization?

Thank you.

   

[Eric.Wouters]

First step is to send a request to Egon, he is the big boss.  Send the same description you did here and also how you think traffic might impact the BO servers (how many users do you have etc). Remember this is a 'free' project but servers to have a pricy tag each month.  Following page has contact details : https://www.blitzortung.org/en/contact.p...ribution_6

[cutty]

I'm not at all sure this "emergencies" usage of Blitzortung data is appropriate... since there is an implication of 'official' implied in context, even though the stated intent may seem plausible.
remember:
"
Blitzortung.org" is not an official authority for lightning or thunderstorm data. The data shown on our website is provided only for private and entertainment purposes. The project "Blitzortung.org" is for the contributors merely a voluntary leisure activity.

It is not allowed to use our lightning data for storm warning systems, for plausibility checks of overvoltage damages, or risk analysis for precautionary protection of high-quality technology, even if the data are not obtained directly from our site but from third-party websites.
"
Strongly suggest poster pursue 'official', recognized sources rather than risk possible liability.  Blitzortung is a hobbyist classification, not a 'free ride' that implies warnings or accuracy to any app end-user, simply to obtain 'free' data. 

[MorganC]

Thank you for the clarification. I will contact Egon with the project description and a fixed server-side caching plan, so traffic to Blitzortung will not scale with app users.

[MorganC]

I'm not at all sure this "emergencies" usage of Blitzortung data is appropriate... since there is an implication of 'official' implied in context, even though the stated intent may seem plausible.
remember:
"
Blitzortung.org" is not an official authority for lightning or thunderstorm data. The data shown on our website is provided only for private and entertainment purposes. The project "Blitzortung.org" is for the contributors merely a voluntary leisure activity.

It is not allowed to use our lightning data for storm warning systems, for plausibility checks of overvoltage damages, or risk analysis for precautionary protection of high-quality technology, even if the data are not obtained directly from our site but from third-party websites.
"
Strongly suggest poster pursue 'official', recognized sources rather than risk possible liability.  Blitzortung is a hobbyist classification, not a 'free ride' that implies warnings or accuracy to any app end-user, simply to obtain 'free' data. 

Thank you for raising this point. I understand the concern, especially regarding the possible implication of authority or reliability in an emergency-related context.
My intention is not to use Blitzortung data as an official source, a warning system, or a basis for safety decisions. However, I agree that the context of the app could still create that perception.
I will not proceed with any implementation unless Egon explicitly confirms that this type of use is acceptable and defines the appropriate limits. Otherwise, I will pursue official or commercial sources designed for this purpose.
Thank you again for the clarification.

[cutty]

I'm not at all sure this "emergencies" usage of Blitzortung data is appropriate... since there is an implication of 'official' implied in context, even though the stated intent may seem plausible.
remember:
"
Blitzortung.org" is not an official authority for lightning or thunderstorm data. The data shown on our website is provided only for private and entertainment purposes. The project "Blitzortung.org" is for the contributors merely a voluntary leisure activity.

It is not allowed to use our lightning data for storm warning systems, for plausibility checks of overvoltage damages, or risk analysis for precautionary protection of high-quality technology, even if the data are not obtained directly from our site but from third-party websites.
"
Strongly suggest poster pursue 'official', recognized sources rather than risk possible liability.  Blitzortung is a hobbyist classification, not a 'free ride' that implies warnings or accuracy to any app end-user, simply to obtain 'free' data. 

Thank you for raising this point. I understand the concern, especially regarding the possible implication of authority or reliability in an emergency-related context.
My intention is not to use Blitzortung data as an official source, a warning system, or a basis for safety decisions. However, I agree that the context of the app could still create that perception.
I will not proceed with any implementation unless Egon explicitly confirms that this type of use is acceptable and defines the appropriate limits. Otherwise, I will pursue official or commercial sources designed for this purpose.
Thank you again for the clarification.

Especially since:
   
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emergency-...d348701693

[MorganC]

Thank you for the clarification.

To be transparent, I am not claiming that Urgences itself is a non-commercial project. It is a free app with optional in-app purchases for separate premium features.

The proposed lightning display itself would be free, not paywalled, and would not trigger subscriptions, warnings, notifications, risk scoring or safety decisions.

I understand, however, that the broader commercial context of the app may still make this incompatible with Blitzortung’s policy. That is precisely why I am seeking Egon’s explicit decision before considering any implementation.

I will not proceed without his written approval.