Privacy policy
Effective date: 22 Sep 2026
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information in connection with your use of the Grounds mobile application (the “App”) available on the Apple App Store.
By downloading and using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
2. Information We Collect
Grounds is designed with your privacy in mind. We do not operate any servers, and we do not collect, store, or receive personal information about you.
Specifically, we do not collect: Your name, email address, or any other contact information; your location or device identifiers; usage analytics or behavioral data; or any data from your entries or usage logs.
We do not track you, show ads, or sell or share your data with anyone.
Your journal data is stored on your device. If you choose to sign in with Apple, it is also synced through your own iCloud account, as described in Sections 3 and 4. In both cases the data stays between you, your devices, and Apple — it never reaches us.
3. Sign in with Apple
Sign in with Apple is completely optional. You can use every feature of Grounds without signing in. If you want it, you’ll find it in the App’s Settings screen.
When you sign in for the first time, Apple provides the App with your name and email address, or a private Hide My Email relay address if you choose to hide your email; and a user identifier that is unique to you and to Grounds.
This information is used for one purpose only: to display your account in Settings so you can see which account you’re signed in with. It is stored in the iOS Keychain on your device and in iCloud Key-Value storage in your own iCloud account. It is not transmitted to us, and we have no way to access it.
You can revoke Sign in with Apple at any time in iOS Settings → [your name] → Sign in with Apple → Grounds.
4. iCloud Sync
When you are signed in, your journal data — beans, brews, refills, tags, and roasters — syncs through your iCloud account using Apple’s CloudKit private database. This lets your journal restore on another device signed in to the same iCloud account.
The CloudKit private database is your personal iCloud storage. Your data is transmitted between your devices and Apple’s servers, and is subject to Apple’s privacy and security practices. We do not have access to the contents of your private database, and we cannot read, export, or recover your data.
If you do not sign in, no data leaves your device.
5. Data Storage and Control
Signed out. All content you create within Grounds is stored exclusively on your device using Apple’s local storage capabilities. We have no access to this data, and it is not backed up to any server operated by us.
Signing out. Signing out of Grounds keeps your data on the device and stops syncing. Nothing is deleted from your device when you sign out.
Delete Account. The Delete Account option in the App removes your Grounds data from iCloud. You can also choose to wipe the data stored on the device you’re using.
Deleting the App. If you delete the App, all locally stored data is permanently removed from your device. Data previously synced to your iCloud account is not removed by deleting the App — use Delete Account first if you want it gone.
6. Third-Party Services
Grounds does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or data-sharing services. We do not use any third-party SDKs that collect personal information.
The App uses Apple’s own services — Sign in with Apple, iCloud, and CloudKit. Apple may collect certain information in connection with these services, with the App Store, and with your device. That data collection is governed by Apple’s own Privacy Policy, which we encourage you to review at https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/.
7. Children’s Privacy
Grounds is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Since we do not collect or receive any personal data through the App, there is no risk of inadvertent collection of children’s information through the App itself.
8. Data Security
Because Grounds does not collect or transmit personal data to us, there is no personal information held by us that could be subject to a data breach.
Data stored locally on your device is protected by the security mechanisms provided by your iOS device, including device encryption. Your Sign in with Apple details are stored in the iOS Keychain. Data synced through iCloud is protected by Apple’s security measures for your iCloud account.
We recommend using a strong passcode or Face ID/Touch ID on your device, and enabling two-factor authentication on your Apple Account, to protect your data.
9. Your Rights
Since we do not collect or process any personal data, there is no personal information for us to access, correct, or delete on your behalf. All of your data remains under your full control, on your own device and in your own iCloud account.
You can, at any time: sign out, which stops syncing and keeps your data on the device; use Delete Account to remove your Grounds data from iCloud, and optionally wipe the data on your device; revoke Sign in with Apple in iOS Settings → [your name] → Sign in with Apple → Grounds; or uninstall Grounds to remove all locally stored data from your device.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this policy and provide notice through the App or App Store listing where appropriate.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your privacy.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at: shivanarrthine@gmail.com.