Privacy Policy

1. Who we are and what this policy covers

The app is operated by Shenzhen Gude Aipu Technology Co., Ltd (Chinese legal name: 深圳市谷得艾普科技有限公司), under the Gude Labs brand. Our privacy contact is zach@gudelabs.com.

This policy takes effect on the date above for Study Tracker v2.9 and these policy pages. It continues to apply to later versions while the practices remain unchanged and no replacement policy is published. Statements about v2.9 are not retroactive statements about the practices of every historical version.

2. Data the app does not actively collect

This version does not require a developer-operated user account and uses no Firebase, advertising SDK, or behavioral analytics SDK. It does not automatically upload your subjects, plans, study durations, exam goals, or usage behavior to our servers. We do not use the app for targeted advertising or cross-app tracking, and we do not sell personal information.

This is not a claim that no data processing or network communication occurs: study features process data on your device; iCloud and purchase verification use Apple services; support messages you send and policy-page visits involve the separate processing described below.

3. On-device storage and widgets

Subjects, plans, and study records, including start times, end times, and related names, are stored in an on-device Core Data database to display your history and calculate statistics. Target dates, language, themes, timer settings, and membership status are kept in local app storage.

The app and its own widgets use an on-device App Group to share display settings such as target dates, colors, and language. This is local sharing within the same product, not disclosure of your study content to other users or advertisers.

4. Apple iCloud sync

When your device’s iCloud account, relevant system settings, and network are available, the app may sync subjects, plans, and study records through Apple CloudKit for use across your devices. Not every local setting or membership cache is transmitted through this sync mechanism.

We do not operate a developer server that receives or lets us browse these private study records, and the app does not separately upload iCloud-synced records to us. iCloud storage, infrastructure processing, and availability are governed by your Apple settings and applicable rules, including Apple’s Privacy Policy. Sync is not a guarantee of real-time backup independent of the system’s behavior.

5. Purchases and membership verification

Apple’s App Store and StoreKit services handle product queries, purchases, renewals, and restoration. On your device, the app uses purchase results, receipts, and expiry information to verify membership. Subscription receipts may be sent directly from the device to Apple for verification, and membership status is cached locally.

We do not receive your payment-card number or Apple Account password through the app, and we do not operate our own receipt-verification server. Apple’s processing of purchase and account information is governed by its applicable terms and privacy policy.

6. Posters, Photos, and sharing

Study posters are generated on your device. If you choose to save one, the app may request permission to add an image to Photos. This feature does not need to scan or upload existing photos. You can manage the permission in system settings; declining it does not prevent basic timing.

When you choose the system share sheet, the selected content goes to the app or recipient you choose, subject to their own practices. We do not automatically receive a copy of your poster or shared content. Check it for information you do not wish to disclose before sharing.

7. When you contact us

If you email zach@gudelabs.com, we and the services used to send and receive email process your email address, message, and any screenshots or attachments you choose to include, solely to respond, investigate the issue, and provide necessary follow-up. We do not ask for your Apple Account password, full payment-card details, or unrelated study materials.

We retain correspondence only as needed to handle your request and necessary security or legal purposes, then delete or anonymize it unless the law requires otherwise. You may use the same address to request access, correction, or deletion of this information.

8. Policy pages, Vercel, and technical information

These pages are hosted by Vercel. Loading them sends your IP address, request time, page path, and browser or system information to the hosting service. Vercel may derive approximate location from IP and retain technical logs for delivery, maintenance, security, and troubleshooting. Processing and retention depend on its service rules and configuration; see Vercel’s Privacy Notice.

The policy-page files contain no analytics scripts, tracking pixels, advertisements, or external fonts, and do not actively set cookies. We do not use page-request information for advertising or cross-app tracking. This does not mean the hosting infrastructure processes no technical information, or that the app sends your study content to these pages.

9. Managing data, deletion, and your choices

Use the app’s existing record-management features to manage local records and the relevant system storage settings to manage iCloud data. Available options depend on app features, system version, and configuration. Cloud deletions may propagate to other devices. Disabling iCloud or uninstalling the app does not necessarily delete existing cloud data or system backups; first check what you need to retain.

We cannot use a developer server to access or delete your private study database, but can provide guidance. For information you send us and that we hold, you may request access, correction, deletion, restrictions on processing, or withdrawal of consent where applicable. We will verify and handle requests as applicable, subject to legally permitted or required retention. You may also complain to an applicable data-protection authority.

10. Security, service providers, and minors

We use reasonable safeguards proportionate to the information we handle and serve these policy pages over HTTPS, but no storage or transmission is entirely risk-free. Protect your device and Apple Account and do not send passwords by email.

Apple, hosting, and email services may process necessary information in the regions where they operate; we handle received support requests in Shenzhen, China. We process or disclose information we actually hold only to provide the services described, meet applicable legal obligations, or act with any required authorization—not for sale, targeted advertising, or unrelated marketing.

The app has no dedicated process for collecting personal information from children. Where required by law, minors should use and purchase with a guardian’s assistance. A guardian who believes a child sent us personal information that should not be retained can contact the address above; we will handle it under applicable law.

11. Policy changes

If features or data practices change, we will update this policy and its effective date. When new processing requires notice or consent, we will provide or obtain it as required before that processing, rather than treating continued app use alone as consent.

This policy does not guarantee that all future versions will have identical practices or pre-authorize undisclosed collection. For questions about the current policy, contact zach@gudelabs.com.