Map data security (free version)

We do our best to ensure that the data within your map is only accessible by those that you want to have it. There are several ways that BatchGeo handles security of your maps, with a few different levels you can choose based upon your needs.

For starters, your map data stays on your own computer unless you choose to save it using the "Continue / Save" option. If you save the map your information will be sent to our servers and stored in a secure database.

When saving a map, you have up to four options for securing your map:

  • Public: anyone could discover your map, through search or on our site
  • Unlisted: only those with the unguessable URL can access your map, which will not be searchable or listed on our site
  • Your Subscription Users (Pro): up to 10 users included can access any maps with this option
  • Password-protected (Pro): anyone with the unguessable URL and the password can view your map

When saving the map you will be given the option to keep the map unlisted, make it available publicly, or choose an enhanced option for Pro users.

Anonymized information from your map may be made available to Google so as to enable advertising. To opt out of this you will need to subscribe to our Pro version.


Map URLs you can’t guess

When we say the URL, or web address, used to access your map is unguessable, we mean it. If you choose to keep it unlisted, a random URL will be created using a 128 bit 32 character hash. For example:

This URL will not be published on our web site, it will not be indexed by Google. The only way this URL will be found by public search engines is if you choose to publish it on a public site.

Google uses a similar system for unlisted YouTube videos, only our hashes are almost three times as long. The URL really is impossible to guess. In fact, there are 309,485,009,821,345,068,724,781,056 (over 309 septillion) possible values. The universe is estimated to contain one septillion stars. So, that means there are over 300 times the number of potential map URLs as there are stars in the universe.

If you use the "Public" option when creating your map we may choose to feature your map or link it in our examples section. You can change the Public / Private option at any time using the edit screen. You can also change the map URL from the same screen, if you’d like a less obscure (but more guessable) way to access your map.


Hide addresses and limit zoom

You can share a map, either publicly or with specific people, and keep the full locations difficult to discover. For this option, we limit the zoom level that a user can browse. Additionally, we ensure the addresses are not included as part of the explorable map data, or within the info box a user views by clicking markers.

Due to the way all Google Maps are created, a highly technical or motivated user could still uncover the map coordinates or addresses.


Enhanced security with BatchGeo Pro

Our Pro version by default includes all the security features of the free version. We’ve also added these additional security features:

  • Information is always transferred between the client and our servers using encrypted protocols (SSL).
  • You have the option of making your map password protected or only shared amongst BatchGeo users you explicity grant permissions.*
  • Your map data will not be shared with advertisers.
  • Individual addresses will be sent to Google for purposes of Geocoding, they will be sent over SSL and decoupled from other data you upload to BatchGeo.

* BatchGeo support staff may access your map in order to troubleshoot issues at your request. Staff may also at random check map data to ensure that no terms of use have been broken (such as using map for illegal purposes) and that BatchGeo services are working as intended. BatchGeo staff will access only in a secure environment using encrypted data transmission and complex passwords.


How we secure BatchGeo servers

BatchGeo uses the best and most secure cloud platforms. Our servers are routinely patched and kept up to date with the most secure versions of required software. Passwords are never kept in plain text—they are always salted and hashed before storing in our database. All your data is stored securely in a database that is kept behind a firewall and not directly accessible from the Internet. We periodically conduct site-wide scans and engage in external security audits.

If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask a question.