Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 28, 2026

Introduction

CharacterLinks ("we," "our," or "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you use the CharacterLinks app (the "Service").

By using CharacterLinks, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you use CharacterLinks, you may provide the following information:

Account Information

When you sign in with Apple, we collect:

• Your Apple User ID (a unique identifier)
• Your full name (if you choose to share it)
• Your email address (if you choose to share it)
• Your chosen display name

User-Generated Content

• Project/Novel/Book/Movie/Show titles and metadata (notes, etc.)
• Character information (names, bios, roles, gender, etc.)
• Relationship data (relationship types, labels, notes)
• Custom images you upload (character avatars, project covers, user profile pictures)

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: We do not collect device identifiers, IP addresses, or usage analytics
• Location Data: We do not collect or access location information
• Cookies & Tracking: We do not use cookies, trackers, or analytics services

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

CharacterLinks does NOT collect, track, or monitor:

• Browsing history or web activity
• Usage analytics or app activity
• Device identifiers beyond what Apple provides for authentication
• Location information
• Contact lists or address book data
• Health or fitness data
• Financial information beyond App Store purchases (handled by Apple)
• Third-party account information

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Core App Functionality

• Authentication: To verify your identity when you sign in with Apple
• Data Storage: To save your projects, characters, and relationships locally on your device
• iCloud Sync: To synchronize your data across your Apple devices using your personal iCloud account
• Data Management: To enable import and export of your data for backup purposes
• Premium Features: To verify your purchase status and unlock premium functionality

2.2 Service Improvement

• To maintain and improve the functionality and performance of the app
• To fix bugs and technical issues

We do NOT use your information for:

• Marketing or advertising purposes
• Selling or sharing with third parties
• Profiling or behavioral analysis
• Cross-app tracking

3. How We Store and Protect Your Information

3.1 Local Storage

• All your user-generated content is stored locally on your device using the device's secure storage
• Data is stored in JSON format in the app's sandboxed container
• Images are stored in the app's Documents directory or iCloud container
• We use standard iOS security mechanisms to protect local data

3.2 iCloud Storage (This feature is currently under development.)

When you sign in and enable sync:

• Metadata (projects, characters, relationships) is stored in NSUbiquitousKeyValueStore in your personal iCloud account
• Images are stored in your personal iCloud Drive ubiquity container

All data in iCloud is:

• Encrypted in transit and at rest by Apple
• Accessible only to you through your Apple ID
• Subject to Apple's iCloud Terms and Conditions
• NOT accessible to CharacterLinks developers or servers

3.3 No Remote Servers

• CharacterLinks does not operate any backend servers
• We do not collect, store, or have access to your data
• All data remains on your device and in your personal iCloud account
• We cannot access, view, or retrieve your content

4. Data Sharing and Third Parties

4.1 We Do NOT Share Your Data

CharacterLinks does not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing or any other purposes.

4.2 Third-Party Services We Use

Apple Services:

• Sign in with Apple: For secure authentication (required)
• iCloud: For syncing your data across devices (optional, user-controlled)
• StoreKit: For in-app purchases (Premium upgrade)

These services are governed by Apple's Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

No Other Third Parties:

• We do not integrate analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics, Firebase)
• We do not use advertising networks
• We do not use crash reporting services that transmit your data
• We do not integrate social media SDKs

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, such as to comply with a subpoena or similar legal process, but since we do not collect or store your data on our servers, we have no data to provide.

5. Your Data Rights and Control

You have complete control over your data in CharacterLinks:

5.1 Access and Export

• You can export all your data at any time using the "Data Import & Export" feature (Premium feature)
• Exported data includes all projects, characters, relationships, and images in JSON format

5.2 Modification

• You can edit or delete any content (projects, characters, relationships) at any time within the app

5.3 Deletion

• Delete Specific Content: Remove individual projects, characters, or relationships through the app interface
• Sign Out: Remove your account information from the device by signing out
• Delete App: Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data

6. Children's Privacy

CharacterLinks does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. The app is rated for users aged 4+ and contains no objectionable content, but users under 13 should use the app under parental supervision.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, although we do not collect data on servers.

7. Data Retention

• Local Data: Remains on your device until you delete it manually or uninstall the app
• Account Information: Stored locally and in iCloud until you sign out
• Purchase Records: Managed by Apple and subject to Apple's retention policies

We do not retain any data on remote servers because we do not operate any servers.

8. International Data Transfers

CharacterLinks operates entirely on your device and personal iCloud account.

9. Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security practices:

• Sign in with Apple: Secure, privacy-focused authentication
• Local Encryption: iOS sandboxing and encryption protect local data
• No Server Exposure: Since we operate no servers, your data is not exposed to server-side vulnerabilities
• Secure Image Storage: Images are stored with secure file permissions

However, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your Apple ID and device.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• App features and functionality
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Privacy best practices

When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you through the app or App Store update notes
• Obtain your consent if required by law

Your continued use of CharacterLinks after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Your California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information

CharacterLinks does NOT:

• Sell your personal information
• Share your personal information with third parties for marketing
• Collect personal information beyond what's necessary for app functionality

Since all data is stored locally and in your personal iCloud account, you have direct control over your information at all times.

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, or Switzerland, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: You can access all your data through the app and export features
• Right to Rectification: You can edit your data at any time
• Right to Erasure: You can delete your data by removing content or uninstalling the app
• Right to Data Portability: Use the export feature to download your data in JSON format
• Right to Object: You can disable iCloud sync or opt out of data processing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Sign out or uninstall the app at any time

Legal Basis for Processing:

• Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to provide the Service you requested
• Legitimate Interest: Improving app functionality and fixing bugs
• Consent: For optional features like iCloud sync

13. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

14. Consent

By using CharacterLinks, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.