Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

At Friend Aura, your privacy isn't an afterthought—it's the foundation of everything we build. This policy explains how we handle your data (spoiler: we don't want it).

Our Privacy Philosophy

Friend Aura was designed from the ground up to be privacy-first. We believe your personal connections, memories, and experiences belong to you and only you. That's why we've architected the entire app to ensure:

Your data never leaves your devices (except to your own iCloud)
We never have access to your entries, scores, or personal information
No external servers, no analytics tracking, no data mining
No login required means no account to hack or leak

1. Information We Collect

What We DON'T Collect

Let's start with what we don't collect, because it's shorter:

We don't collect your entries, notes, or connection data
We don't collect your aura scores or boost usage
We don't collect your name, email, or personal information
We don't track your location
We don't use analytics or tracking tools
We don't sell or share your data (because we don't have it)

What We Do Collect

The only data we collect is minimal and necessary for the app to function:

Purchase Information: When you buy boosts or subscribe to Pro, Apple processes the transaction. We only receive a confirmation that the purchase was successful (no payment details, no personal information).
Crash Reports: If you opt-in to send crash reports via iOS settings, Apple may send us anonymized technical information to help us fix bugs. This doesn't include any of your personal data or entries.
App Store Reviews: If you leave a review on the App Store, it's public and managed by Apple, not us.

2. How Your Data Is Stored

Local Storage

All your data is stored locally on your device using iOS's secure Core Data framework. This means:

Your entries, scores, notes, and emojis live only on your iPhone/iPad
The data is protected by iOS's built-in encryption
If you set a PIN or use Face ID, your data is further protected by iOS security
We have zero access to this data—it never touches our servers

iCloud Sync (Optional)

If you enable iCloud sync in iOS settings, your data is synchronized across your Apple devices via your personal iCloud account:

Sync uses your existing iCloud account (no separate Friend Aura account needed)
Data is encrypted by Apple during transfer and storage
The data goes from your device to Apple's iCloud servers to your other devices
We never see this data—it's between you and Apple
You can disable iCloud sync anytime in iOS Settings

3. No Account Required

Friend Aura doesn't require you to create an account, and that's intentional:

No username, no password, no email address to remember
No account means no account to hack, leak, or compromise
No login servers means no central database of user information
Your app data is tied to your device and (optionally) your iCloud, not to an account with us

4. Security Features

Friend Aura includes multiple layers of security to protect your privacy:

App Lock: Set a PIN or use Face ID/Touch ID to lock the app
Auto-Lock: The app automatically locks when closed or after a timeout period you choose
Local Encryption: All data is encrypted on your device using iOS security
No Screenshots: The app prevents screenshots in sensitive areas (coming soon)

5. Third-Party Services

Friend Aura uses minimal third-party services:

Apple App Store / StoreKit: For handling purchases and subscriptions. Apple's privacy policy applies to these transactions.
Apple iCloud: For optional data sync across your devices. Apple's privacy policy applies to iCloud data.

We do not use advertising networks, analytics platforms, social media SDKs, or any other third-party tracking services.

6. Your Rights and Control

Because all your data is stored locally on your device, you have complete control:

Access: You can view, edit, and export all your data within the app
Deletion: Delete individual entries or clear all data anytime
Export: Export your data to a file (coming soon)
iCloud Control: Enable or disable iCloud sync in iOS Settings
App Deletion: Uninstalling the app deletes all local data. iCloud data can be deleted from iOS Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage

7. Data Retention

Since we don't collect or store your data on our servers, there's nothing for us to retain:

Your data exists only on your devices and (if enabled) your iCloud
We don't have copies, backups, or archives of your entries
When you delete data from the app, it's deleted from your device
iCloud data retention is controlled by you through iOS settings

8. Children's Privacy

Friend Aura is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 17. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we become aware that a user is under 17, we will take appropriate action.

9. International Users

Friend Aura is available worldwide through the Apple App Store. Since all data is stored locally on your device or in your personal iCloud account, there is no cross-border data transfer by us. However, if you use iCloud sync, Apple's data storage and transfer policies apply based on your iCloud account location.

10. Changes to This Policy

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

New features or changes to the app
Changes in privacy laws or regulations
Improvements to our privacy practices

If we make significant changes, we'll notify you through the app or via the email you provided for support inquiries (if applicable). The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy will always reflect the most recent changes.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about this Privacy Policy or how Friend Aura handles your data, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Web: friendaura.app/contact

12. Legal Compliance

GDPR (European Users)

Friend Aura is designed to be GDPR-compliant by default:

Data Minimization: We collect minimal data (essentially none)
Purpose Limitation: Any data we do collect is only for app functionality
Storage Limitation: We don't store your personal data
Right to Access: All your data is accessible within the app
Right to Erasure: You can delete all data anytime
Data Portability: Export feature coming soon

CCPA (California Users)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

We do not sell your personal information
We do not share your personal information with third parties for marketing
You have the right to request disclosure of data we collect (which is minimal)
You have the right to request deletion of your data (which you control directly in the app)

Summary: What Makes Friend Aura Different

Most apps collect your data, store it on their servers, and use it for analytics, advertising, or other purposes. Friend Aura is built differently:

✅ Local-first: Your data stays on your device
✅ No account required: No login, no registration, no user database
✅ Optional iCloud sync: Uses your own iCloud, not our servers
✅ No tracking: No analytics, no ads, no third-party SDKs
✅ Transparent: We're honest about what we do and don't collect
✅ Your control: You can view, export, and delete all your data

Privacy isn't a feature for us—it's the entire point.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date listed at the top of this page. By using Friend Aura, you agree to the practices described in this policy.