Privacy Policy for BookDate

Last Updated: January 27, 2026

BookDate ("we," "our," or "us") helps you discover books through cover swiping. This Privacy Policy explains our minimal data practices.

---

1. NO ACCOUNT REQUIRED

BookDate does NOT require you to create an account. You can start swiping book covers immediately without providing any personal information.

---

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1 Information You Provide

- Reading Preferences: Genre preferences you select during setup (stored locally on your device only)

- Swipe History: Books you pass, save, or buy (stored locally on your device only)

- Saved Books: Your "My Books" collection (stored locally on your device only)

This data never leaves your device. We do not have access to it.

2.2 Information We Do NOT Collect

- No email addresses

- No names or personal identifiers

- No phone numbers

- No passwords

- No payment information

- No location data

- No contacts, photos, or camera access

- No tracking across other apps or websites

2.3 Anonymous Analytics (Optional)

We collect minimal, anonymized analytics to improve BookDate:

- Device type and iOS version (e.g., "iPhone 14, iOS 17")

- App crashes or errors (to fix bugs)

- Which features are used most (to improve experience)

- General swipe patterns (anonymized)

This data is completely anonymous and cannot be linked to you personally.

You can opt out of analytics in Settings → Privacy → Analytics.

---

3. HOW WE USE INFORMATION

The only information we receive (anonymized analytics) is used to:

- Fix bugs and crashes

- Improve app performance

- Understand which features book lovers enjoy

- Make BookDate better for everyone

We never use data for advertising or sell it to third parties.

--

4. APPLE BOOKS AFFILIATE PROGRAM

BookDate participates in the Apple Services Performance Partners program through Partnerize.

When you swipe up to buy a book:

- You are redirected to Apple Books through an affiliate link

- We earn a commission (7%) if you complete a purchase

- Apple may collect data about your purchase (see Apple's Privacy Policy)

- We do NOT receive your purchase details, payment info, or personal data

- The commission does not affect the price you pay

---

5. DATA STORAGE

Your preferences, swipe history, and saved books are stored locally on your iPhone using:

- iOS UserDefaults (for preferences)

- iOS local storage (for swipes and saved books)

This data:

✓ Never leaves your device

✓ Is not backed up to our servers

✓ Is only accessible by you

✓ Is deleted when you delete the app

If you use iCloud Backup (Apple's feature), your local data may be backed up to your personal iCloud. This is controlled by Apple, not BookDate. See Apple's Privacy Policy for details.

---

6. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

6.1 Book Cover Images

Book cover images are loaded from:

- Google Books API

- Open Library

- Apple Books

- Publisher sources

When you view a book cover, these services may log anonymous requests. These logs cannot be linked to you personally.

6.2 Apple Books

When you purchase a book, you leave BookDate and enter Apple's ecosystem. Your purchase is subject to Apple's Privacy Policy.

6.3 Analytics (If Enabled)

We use privacy-focused analytics that:

- Collect only anonymized, aggregated data

- Do not track you across apps

- Do not create a profile of you

- Comply with Apple's App Tracking Transparency rules

---

7. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES

7.1 Skip Onboarding

You can skip setup and browse all books, or set preferences for personalized recommendations. Your choice is stored locally only.

7.2 Opt Out of Analytics

Settings → Privacy → Analytics → Turn Off

7.3 Reset Your Data

Settings → Reset App

This clears all locally stored preferences, swipe history, and saved books.

7.4 Delete the App

Deleting BookDate from your iPhone permanently removes all local data.

---

8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

BookDate does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under 13. Since we don't collect data, children can safely use the app.

Parents: Your child's reading preferences and swipes are stored only on their device and are never transmitted to us.

---

9. DATA SECURITY

Since we don't collect your data, there's nothing to breach!

Your local data is protected by iOS security features:

- Encrypted storage

- Face ID/Touch ID (if you enable device lock)

- Cannot be accessed by other apps

---

10. INTERNATIONAL USERS

BookDate works worldwide. Since we don't collect personal data, there are no international data transfer concerns.

Book cover images may be loaded from servers in various countries. These services have their own privacy policies.

---

11. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted in the app with an updated "Last Updated" date.

Material changes will be announced via in-app notification and App Store update notes.

Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

---

12. YOUR RIGHTS

Even though we don't collect personal data, you have rights:

✓ Right to Access: We have no data about you to access

✓ Right to Deletion: Delete the app to remove local data

✓ Right to Opt-Out: Turn off analytics in Settings

✓ Right to Portability: Your data is already on your device

✓ Right to Object: We have no data to object to

---

13. CONTACT US

Questions about privacy?

Email: 

contact.theworldconsulting@gmail.com

Support: 

contact.theworldconsulting@gmail.com

Response Time: We aim to respond within 48 hours.

---

14. SUMMARY

- No account needed—start swiping immediately

- No personal data collected

- Preferences stored on your device only

- Optional anonymous analytics for bug fixes

- We earn affiliate commissions from Apple Books

- You can reset or delete data anytime

BookDate is designed for privacy. Your swipes stay on your iPhone.

---

By using BookDate, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.