BirthdayMate Privacy Policy

Overview

BirthdayMate ("the App") is developed by David Phillips ("we", "our", or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how your information is handled when you use the App.

Data Collection and Storage

We do not collect, store, or have access to the personal data you enter into BirthdayMate.

All information you enter into BirthdayMate (including names, dates, photos, and reminders) is stored exclusively on your device and, on iOS, optionally in your personal iCloud account. We have no servers that receive or store your data, and we cannot access your information.

However, BirthdayMate uses third-party services for advertising and anonymous analytics that may collect certain information automatically. Please see the "Advertising", "Analytics", and "Third-Party Services" sections below for details.

Device Permissions

BirthdayMate may request access to the following device features:

Notifications: To send you reminders about upcoming occasions
Photo Library: To allow you to add photos to occasions (only photos you explicitly select are accessed)
Contacts: To allow you to import birthdays from your contacts (only contacts you explicitly select are accessed)

These permissions are optional and can be managed at any time in your device's Settings. Denying permissions will not prevent you from using the core features of the App.

Data Sync and Storage

iOS: If you choose to enable iCloud sync, your data is stored in your personal iCloud account using Apple's CloudKit service. This data:

Is stored in your private iCloud container
Is only accessible by you through your Apple ID
Is not accessible to us or any third party
Is subject to Apple's Privacy Policy

iCloud sync is managed through your device's Settings (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud), not within the App itself. You can disable iCloud sync or manage and delete your iCloud data through your device's Settings at any time.

Android: All data is stored locally on your device. BirthdayMate for Android does not use its own cloud sync services. However, if you have Android's automatic backup enabled (Settings > System > Backup), your app data may be backed up to your Google account as part of Android's standard device backup. This backup is managed by Google and is subject to Google's Privacy Policy.

Local Notifications

BirthdayMate may send local notifications to remind you of upcoming occasions. These notifications are generated entirely on your device and do not involve any external servers or data transmission.

Photos

If you add photos to occasions, these images are stored locally on your device and, on iOS if iCloud sync is enabled, in your private iCloud container. We do not have access to your photos.

Advertising

BirthdayMate displays advertisements through Google AdMob. The Google Mobile Ads SDK automatically collects certain information to serve ads and measure their performance. This data collection is handled by Google, not by us.

Data collected by Google AdMob includes:

IP Address: Used to estimate your general location
Device Identifiers: Advertising ID and app-set ID for ad targeting and frequency capping
User Interactions: App launch events, ad views, and ad interactions
Diagnostic Information: App performance data such as launch time and crash logs

All data collected by the Google Mobile Ads SDK is encrypted in transit using TLS. You can learn more about how Google uses this information in Google's Privacy Policy and how Google uses data from partner apps.

You can opt out of personalised advertising by adjusting your device settings. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking, or enable "Limit Ad Tracking" in Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Ads and enable "Opt out of Ads Personalisation", or delete your advertising ID.

Analytics

BirthdayMate uses Firebase Analytics, provided by Google, to collect anonymous usage data. This helps us understand how the App is used and improve the experience.

What is collected:

Feature usage (e.g., which screens are viewed, which actions are taken)
App performance data (e.g., launch time, errors)
Device information (e.g., device model, operating system version, app instance identifier)
Session information (e.g., session duration, first launch date)
General location (country/region, derived from IP address which is not stored)

What is NOT collected:

Names, dates, or any personal occasion details you enter
Contact information
Photos
Any data that could personally identify you

Analytics data is anonymous, not linked to your identity, and is not sold to third parties. Data is retained for 14 months per Google's default retention policy.

Firebase Analytics respects your privacy choices. If you deny consent through the GDPR consent prompt (EU users) or disable tracking via App Tracking Transparency (iOS), analytics data collection is automatically limited. You can learn more in Google's Privacy Policy.

Third-Party Services

BirthdayMate integrates with the following third-party services:

Apple iCloud (iOS only): If you enable sync, your data is stored in your personal iCloud account. Subject to Apple's Privacy Policy.
Google AdMob: Displays advertisements and collects data as described in the "Advertising" section above. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
Firebase Analytics (Google): Collects anonymous usage data as described in the "Analytics" section above. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
Google Play Services (Android only): The Android version of the App is distributed through Google Play and may utilise Google Play Services. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.

Data Retention and Deletion

Since all data is stored locally on your device (and, on iOS, optionally in your personal iCloud account), you have full control over your data:

Delete all data from the App: Go to Settings within the App and select "Delete All Data" to remove all your data
Delete app data: Uninstalling BirthdayMate will remove all locally stored data from your device
Delete iCloud data (iOS only): Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > BirthdayMate to manage or delete your synced data
Clear app data (Android): Go to Settings > Apps > BirthdayMate > Storage > Clear Data to remove all app data without uninstalling
Delete individual items: You can delete specific occasions, photos, or reminders directly within the App
Analytics data: Anonymous usage data collected by Firebase Analytics is retained for 14 months per Google's default retention policy, then automatically deleted. This data is not linked to your identity

Your Privacy Rights

Because we do not have access to the personal data you enter into BirthdayMate, traditional data subject rights (such as access, correction, or deletion requests) are not applicable to us for that data. You maintain complete control over your data on your device and, on iOS, in your iCloud account.

For data collected by Google AdMob and Firebase Analytics, you can exercise your rights by adjusting your device's advertising and tracking settings, or by visiting Google's Ad Settings. You can also contact Google directly regarding data they have collected through their SDKs.

For California Residents: We do not sell your personal information. Google AdMob may use information for personalised advertising, which you can opt out of through your device settings. For more information about your CCPA rights regarding Google's data collection, please refer to Google's Privacy Policy.

For European Union Residents: The App complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Data collection by Google AdMob and Firebase Analytics is based on your consent, which is requested when you first use the App. You may withdraw consent at any time through your device settings. You have the right to opt out of personalised advertising. For data processed by Google, please refer to Google's Privacy Policy for information on exercising your GDPR rights.

Children's Privacy

BirthdayMate is not specifically directed at children under 13. There is no inappropriate content, and the App does not require an internet connection to function. We do not collect names, contact details, or other directly identifying information from any user, including children. The Google AdMob SDK and Firebase Analytics may collect device-level information as described in the "Advertising" and "Analytics" sections above; you can opt out of personalised ads and limit analytics through your device settings.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected in the "Last updated" date above.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: