Bump is a social mapping application available in Sweden on iOS and Google Play that allows friends to share real-time locations while simultaneously building a historical “Scratch Map” of areas the user has visited, according to the developer’s documentation and app store listings. Bump tracks movement through GPS and device sensors, recording data such as battery levels, speed, and overnight stays, known as “Nights.”
How Bump Tracks Movement and Builds Scratch Maps
Unlike basic location-sharing apps that only show a current coordinate, Bump actively maps a user’s geographical history by dividing maps into small hexagonal areas, according to app specifications. As a user moves through these zones, the application colors in discovered regions, rewarding more complete exploration during slower walks rather than fast train or car journeys. While the app uses battery-saving intervals in the background, continuous location access remains mandatory for the core feature set to function.
Privacy Risks and Real-World Pattern Recognition
According to Bump’s privacy policy and feature documentation, a user’s detailed Scratch Map and historical movements are visible to accepted friends, posing privacy considerations beyond simple live sharing. By combining live positions with recurring movement history over time, connections can deduce sensitive patterns such as home addresses, workplaces, and evening locations. The platform includes a “Ghost Mode” to freeze updates for specific friends, but this function only stops live sharing to that user and does not halt the app’s underlying data collection or personal Scratch Map progression.
Pro Tip: Turning on Ghost Mode or removing a friend stops them from seeing your live location, but it does not delete your historical platshistorik from Bump’s servers. To completely remove stored data, users must delete their entire account through the application settings.
Account Data, Retention, and Age Requirements
Bump ties all user history—including chats, friend lists, and registered nights—directly to the user account rather than storing it locally on the device, meaning data transfers when logging into a new phone, according to company terms. The platform sets a general age requirement of 16, though it permits usage down to age 13 where local laws allow, aligning with Sweden’s 13-year threshold for personal data consent. Accounts rely on phone numbers for registration, utilizing spam-prevention filters and blocking mechanics to manage unwanted contact requests.
Comparing Bump to Snap Map, Apple Find My, and Zenly
| Application | Primary Focus | Historical Mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Bump | Social live map combined with a personal Scratch Map and behavioral indicators. | Yes (Permanent Scratch Map and “Nights” history tied to account) |
| Snap Map | Snapchat-integrated friend location sharing without a permanent exploration grid. | No |
| Apple Find My | Device tracking and security-focused location sharing within Apple’s ecosystem. | No |
| Zenly | The service featuring real-time peer maps and exploration metrics. | Yes (Historical exploration mechanics) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ghost Mode stop Bump from tracking my location?
No. According to Bump, Ghost Mode only freezes your live position for a specific selected friend. The app continues to record your movements, history, and Scratch Map in the background.
How do I permanently delete my location history on Bump?
Individual location points or past history cannot be manually cleared while keeping an active account. To wipe stored data, you must delete your entire account, which triggers a final deletion period after a set recovery window.
What is the minimum age requirement for Bump in Sweden?
Bump’s terms set the base age at 16, but allow usage from 13 years old where local legislation permits, matching the Swedish digital consent age threshold of 13.
Does Bump consume a significant amount of battery?
Continuous background GPS tracking impacts battery life. While Bump uses interval checks to minimize power usage, operating systems with strict battery savers may require exempting Bump to keep map updates current.
Join the Discussion: Have you tried Bump as a replacement for older social map apps? Share your thoughts on location privacy in the comments below, and explore our other tech guides for more digital safety tips.