diff --git a/APPSTORE.md b/APPSTORE.md
index 8c62b82..74e179a 100644
--- a/APPSTORE.md
+++ b/APPSTORE.md
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ The two 2026-08-11 blockers are RESOLVED by P0 (live chain):
on Apple's network see real data.
- ~~Always-location risk~~ → **Always is requested only when the user enables
Alerts** (ProximityMonitor escalates WhenInUse → Always on alert opt-in).
- Onboarding requests WhenInUse only.
+ Onboarding requests WhenInUse only. FuelBoard does **not** declare the
+ persistent real-time background location mode; optional alerts use
+ CoreLocation region monitoring/significant-change behaviour instead.
## StoreKit sandbox: verified working configuration and caveats
@@ -188,19 +190,23 @@ correct app/team association, and a matching Sandbox Apple Account.
> Prices are downloaded from the internet up to twice a day; the app filters
> 5/10/15-mile radii on-device and works offline from a bundled snapshot.
> Location is used to (a) rank stations by distance and (b) power the
-> optional Alerts feature: when the user enables alerts, the app geofences
-> the cheapest station in their radius and sends a notification when they
-> approach it. Always-location is requested only when the user enables
-> alerts. The app also provides a home-screen widget showing the current
-> cheapest station nearby, and a price-history Trends chart for starred
-> stations. All data is UK-wide (Fuel Finder covers England, Scotland, Wales
-> and Northern Ireland); users outside the UK see an empty state explaining
-> this.
+> optional Alerts feature: when the user enables alerts, the app registers
+> CoreLocation regions around the cheapest station in their radius and sends
+> a notification when they approach it. FuelBoard does not use persistent
+> real-time background location tracking; it relies on iOS region monitoring
+> and significant-change behaviour for optional alerts. Always-location is
+> requested only when the user enables alerts. The app also provides a
+> home-screen widget showing the current cheapest station nearby, and a
+> price-history Trends chart for starred stations. All data is UK-wide (Fuel
+> Finder covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland); users outside
+> the UK see an empty state explaining this.
## Review risks (know before submitting)
-- **Always-location (5.1.1)** — the #1 question. The feature is visible
- (Alerts tab) and opt-in; the review notes above say so explicitly.
+- **Always-location (5.1.1 / 2.5.4)** — the feature is visible (Alerts tab)
+ and opt-in; the app does not declare persistent background location mode,
+ and the review notes describe region monitoring/significant-change rather
+ than continuous tracking.
- **Reviewer outside the UK** — empty radius; mitigated by the empty-state
task above + review notes.
- **"Cheapest" claims (2.3.1)** — mitigated by the OGL/footnote task.
diff --git a/Config/App-Info.plist b/Config/App-Info.plist
index 298ecd0..a97954b 100644
--- a/Config/App-Info.plist
+++ b/Config/App-Info.plist
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@
UIBackgroundModes
fetch
- location
UILaunchScreen
diff --git a/SECURITY.md b/SECURITY.md
index a8b445d..c715e87 100644
--- a/SECURITY.md
+++ b/SECURITY.md
@@ -62,8 +62,10 @@ the govuk-API switch (BACKLOG P0). Findings below are ordered by severity.
### 6. Privacy / permissions — review for App Store
- `NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription` + `NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription`
- both present with clear copy; `UIBackgroundModes: location` justified by the
- alert feature (geofenced cheapest-station notifications).
+ both present with clear copy. The app deliberately does not include the
+ `location` value in `UIBackgroundModes`; optional alerts use CoreLocation
+ region monitoring/significant-change behaviour rather than persistent
+ real-time background tracking.
- Location is the only sensitive permission requested. No contacts, photos,
camera, mic.
- No third-party SDKs → no SDK privacy manifests required.