Privacy Policy

Welcome to PackNinja's Privacy Policy. This policy describes how "PackNinja" (referred to as "we," "us," or "our"), developed by Vince Chiang, collects, uses, and shares information when you use our iOS application PackNinja (the "Service"). Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting it.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Information We Collect

We design our app to be privacy-focused by collecting only the data necessary to provide and improve the Service. Most of your personal data is stored directly on your device and synced with your personal iCloud account, which we cannot access.

Information You Provide or Generate

• Core User Data (On-Device & iCloud Sync): This includes your trip details, packing list items, custom catalog items, and to-do lists. This information is stored locally on your device using SwiftData and is synced with your personal iCloud account via Apple's CloudKit to keep your data up-to-date across your devices.
• Data for Specific Features (Our Backend):
  • Sharing Feature: When you choose to share a trip, you can select which information to include (trip dates, destination, packing list, notes). Only the data you explicitly select is sent to our secure backend to generate a shareable link.
  • GenAI Packing Suggestions: If you request AI suggestions, relevant trip details (like destination and dates) are sent to our backend, which communicates with Google's Gemini model to generate them.

Information We Collect Automatically

• Analytics Data (Firebase Analytics): We use Firebase Analytics to collect anonymized and aggregated data about how you interact with our app. This includes information like feature usage frequency, session duration, device type, and crash reports. This data helps us understand user behavior so we can improve the app. It is not used to personally identify you.
• Transaction Information (RevenueCat): If you purchase a subscription, our third-party payment provider, RevenueCat, manages the transaction. We receive confirmation of your subscription status (e.g., active, expired) to unlock premium features. We do not collect or have access to your sensitive payment details like credit card numbers.
• Service Log Information: When you use features that interact with our backend (like Sharing or GenAI), we may collect standard log information such as your IP address, access times, and API endpoints accessed. This is used for operating and securing our backend services.

How We Use Your Information

• To Provide and Maintain the Service: To enable you to create, manage, and sync your trip data across your devices using iCloud.
• To Manage Subscriptions: To verify and manage your access to premium features through our integration with RevenueCat.
• To Enable Specific Features: To process shared lists and generate AI-powered packing suggestions.
• For Service Improvement: To analyze anonymized usage data via Firebase Analytics to understand how our app is used, identify popular features, and guide our development efforts.
• To Ensure Security: To protect our backend services from abuse and ensure their integrity.

Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information. We only share information under the following limited circumstances:

• With Service Providers: We use third-party services that are essential for operating our app. These providers have access to information only to perform tasks on our behalf and are obligated to protect it.
  • Apple (iCloud): Your core app data is stored and synced via Apple's CloudKit service. This data is subject to Apple's Privacy Policy.
  • Google (Cloud Platform / Firebase): Our backend services (for Sharing and GenAI) and our analytics platform are hosted by Google.
  • RevenueCat: Handles our in-app subscriptions and payments. We encourage you to review their privacy policy for details on how they handle your data.
• At Your Direction: When you explicitly choose to use a feature like sharing a packing list.
• For Legal Reasons: If we believe disclosure is required by law or to protect the rights, property, and safety of ourselves or others.

Data Storage and Retention

• On-Device and iCloud Data: Your data stored locally and in iCloud remains there until you delete it within the app or delete the app itself.
• Shared List Data: Data for shared lists may be automatically deleted from our servers after a period of inactivity (e.g., 180 days) to minimize data retention. You can also request deletion by contacting us.
• Backend Service Logs: These are retained for a limited period (typically 30-90 days) for security and operational purposes.

Data Security

We take reasonable measures to help protect your information, including using HTTPS for all backend communication and secure cloud hosting. However, no security system is impenetrable, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

Your Data Protection Rights

You have control over your data:

• Access, Correction, and Deletion: You can manage your trip and list data directly within the PackNinja app at any time.
• Deletion of Shared Data: You can request the deletion of specific shared lists from our servers by contacting us.

If you have questions about your data or wish to exercise other rights you may have under applicable data protection laws, please contact us.

Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 13 (or the relevant age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with information, please contact us so we can take steps to delete it.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We may also provide a notice within the app or through an App Store update description.

For any questions about this Privacy Policy, please refer to our Contact Us page.