Last Updated: January 9, 2026
Introduction
Ethos ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application ("App").
By using Ethos, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Information We Collect
Data Stored Locally on Your Device
Ethos stores all your data locally on your device. We collect and store:
- Habit and Quest Data: Your selected virtue cards, daily quests, and task completions
- Progress Information: Points, streaks, mastery levels, and evolution tiers
- Custom Tasks: Any tasks you create and add to your todo list
- Journal Entries: Personal journal entries and reflections you write
- Saved Quotes: Quotes you save from the app
- Settings Preferences: Theme preferences (light/dark mode) and app settings
- Unlock History: Information about unlocked cards and achievements
All of this data is stored locally on your device using iOS's built-in storage systems (SwiftData and UserDefaults). We do not have access to this data.
Data We Do NOT Collect
We do not collect, store, or transmit:
- Personal identification information (name, email, phone number)
- Location data
- Device identifiers
- Usage analytics or tracking data
- Advertising identifiers
- Biometric data
- Health data (beyond your self-reported habit completions)
How We Use Your Information
Local Data Usage
The information stored on your device is used solely to:
- Provide core app functionality (tracking habits, generating quests, showing progress)
- Personalize your experience (AI-generated quests based on your selected cards)
- Store your preferences (theme settings, selected cards)
- Enable app features (notifications, reminders)
Third-Party Services
Groq AI Service
We use Groq AI to generate personalized quests and quotes. When you use these features:
- Your selected virtue cards are sent to Groq's API to generate relevant quests
- Your journal entries may be analyzed to generate personalized quotes
- We do not store your data on Groq's servers - data is sent only for processing and is not retained by Groq
- Groq's privacy policy applies to their processing: https://groq.com/legal/privacy
Apple Services
- In-App Purchases: Donations are processed through Apple's payment system. We do not have access to your payment information.
- App Store: Standard App Store analytics (download counts, crash reports) are handled by Apple according to their privacy policy.
Data Storage and Security
Local Storage
- All your data is stored locally on your device
- Data is encrypted by iOS's built-in security features
- We do not have servers or cloud storage
- We cannot access your data remotely
Data Backup
- Your data may be included in iCloud backups if you have iCloud Backup enabled
- iCloud backups are encrypted and managed by Apple
- You can disable iCloud backups in your iOS Settings if you prefer
Data Deletion
- You can delete the app at any time, which removes all local data
- There is no account to delete - all data is stored locally
- Uninstalling the app permanently deletes all your data from the device
Data Sharing
We do not share, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties.
The only data transmitted outside your device is:
1. Quest Generation: Selected card names sent to Groq AI to generate quests
2. Quote Generation: Your journal entries (if you use quote generation) sent to Groq AI
3. Payment Processing: Donation transactions processed by Apple (we do not see payment details)
All other data remains on your device.
Children's Privacy
Ethos is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete such information.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access Your Data: All your data is stored locally on your device - you have full access
- Delete Your Data: Uninstall the app to delete all local data
- Control Notifications: Manage notification permissions in iOS Settings
- Opt Out of AI Features: You can choose not to use AI-generated quests (though this limits functionality)
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app (if applicable)
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
Email: [Your Support Email]
Website: [Your Website URL]
Compliance
This Privacy Policy complies with:
- Apple App Store Guidelines
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - We minimize data collection and store data locally
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) - We do not sell personal information
- Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) - We do not collect data from children under 13
Summary
In simple terms:
- All your data stays on your device
- We don't collect personal information
- We don't track you or sell your data
- We only use Groq AI to generate quests/quotes (data sent for processing only)
- You can delete everything by uninstalling the app
- No accounts, no servers, no cloud storage
Your privacy is important to us. We built Ethos to respect your data and keep it private.
This privacy policy is effective as of January 9, 2026.