The Short Version
Gather collects zero personal data. No analytics, no telemetry, no crash reporting, no user accounts, no advertising identifiers. Your library, your tags, your notes, your reading history — all of it lives exclusively on your device (and in your iCloud backup if you enable sync). We never see it. We never want to.
Data Storage
Gather uses Apple's SwiftData framework to store your collection locally on your device. This is a standard SQLite database stored in your app sandbox. You can locate, copy, back up, or delete this file at any time using standard macOS/iOS tools.
If you enable iCloud Sync (optional, off by default), SwiftData uses iCloud as a transport layer to keep your library in sync across your devices. This data is end-to-end encrypted by Apple. We have no access to it.
Network Requests
Gather makes network requests only when you explicitly trigger them:
- Metadata lookup: When you scan a barcode or search for a title, Gather queries public APIs (Open Library, Google Books, TMDb, MusicBrainz, Discogs) to fetch cover art, descriptions, and details. These requests contain only the identifier you provided (ISBN, title, etc.) — no device identifiers, no user tokens.
- Image loading: Cover art is loaded directly from the metadata provider's CDN.
- App Store / TestFlight: Standard iOS update checks and TestFlight installation.
No background sync, no "phone home" pings, no telemetry beacons.
Third-Party Services
Gather integrates no third-party SDKs. No Firebase, no Amplitude, no Mixpanel, no Sentry, no Adjust, no AppsFlyer. The only external code runs when you initiate a metadata search, and that code is Apple's own URLSession talking to public APIs.
Your Rights
Since we hold no data of yours, there's nothing to request, rectify, or delete from our systems. Your data is entirely under your control:
- Export: File → Export → CSV / JSON / Plain Text
- Delete: Delete the app (removes local data) or File → Delete All Items
- Portability: Exported files are standard formats readable by any tool
Children's Privacy
Gather does not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children under 13. Since we collect nothing, there is nothing to protect — but the principle stands.
Changes to This Policy
If we ever change our data practices (we don't plan to), we'll update this page and bump the version number. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the current version.
Contact
Questions about this policy or Gather's privacy architecture? Email hello@lymegrove.com.