Privacy Policy

Before Leaving ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Reminder Data: Locations, items, and notes you create within the app
• Profile Information: Name and preferences when using group features
• Photos: Images you upload for pet/plant profiles (stored locally by default)
• Voice Notes: Audio recordings you create for reminders (stored locally)

Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: App feature usage, screen views, and interaction patterns
• Crash Reports: Technical data when the app crashes to help us improve stability
• Location Data: Only when you enable location features for weather-based suggestions and location reminders

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Core App Functionality: To provide reminder services, notifications, and the features you use
• Personalization: To offer weather-based item suggestions and smart recommendations
• App Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve the app experience
• Bug Fixes: To identify and fix technical issues
• Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries and provide assistance
• Group Features: To enable sharing reminders with family and friends when you choose to use these features

3. Data Storage and Security

Local Storage

The majority of your data is stored locally on your device using Apple's Core Data framework. This includes:

• Your reminders, locations, and items
• Routines and habits
• Pet and plant care data
• Travel lists and packing information
• Voice notes and photos

Cloud Services

We use the following cloud services:

• Firebase Analytics: For anonymous usage analytics to improve the app
• Firebase Crashlytics: For crash reporting and stability monitoring
• Firebase Cloud Messaging: For delivering push notifications
• Firebase Firestore: For group sharing features (optional, only when you use groups)

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL
• Secure storage using iOS Keychain for sensitive data
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Access controls and authentication for cloud services

4. Third-Party Services

Before Leaving uses the following third-party services:

Firebase (Google)

We use Firebase for analytics, crash reporting, and cloud features. Firebase's privacy policy can be found at: firebase.google.com/support/privacy

Google AdMob

We display advertisements through Google AdMob. AdMob may collect device information and advertising identifiers. Google's privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy

Weather Services

We may use weather APIs to provide weather-based suggestions. Only your general location (city-level) is shared to retrieve weather data.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in the following circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you explicitly choose to share data (e.g., joining groups)
• Service Providers: With trusted third-party services that help us operate the app (see Section 4)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

Access and Export

You can view all your data within the app. Your reminder data is stored locally and is accessible to you at any time.

Deletion

You can delete your data at any time:

• Delete individual reminders, items, or locations within the app
• Delete all app data by uninstalling the app
• Request deletion of any cloud-stored data by contacting us

Opt-Out Options

• Location Services: Disable in iOS Settings → Privacy → Location Services
• Push Notifications: Disable in iOS Settings → Notifications → Before Leaving
• Analytics: We respect iOS's "Limit Ad Tracking" setting
• Personalized Ads: Opt out through your device's advertising settings

7. Children's Privacy

Before Leaving is designed to be family-friendly and includes Kid Mode for younger users. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. The app's Kid Mode is designed to be used under parental supervision. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for any international transfers.

9. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as you use the app:

• Local Data: Retained until you delete it or uninstall the app
• Analytics Data: Retained for up to 14 months (Firebase default)
• Crash Reports: Retained for 90 days
• Group Data: Retained until you leave the group or request deletion

10. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data)
• Right to request deletion of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

11. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Displaying a notice in the app for significant changes
• Sending a notification if the changes affect your rights

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your data.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:

• Email: shadyghalab@gmail.com
• Developer: Shady Ghalab

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.

14. Apple App Privacy

In accordance with Apple's App Store requirements, here is a summary of our data practices:

Data Used to Track You

We do not track you across apps or websites owned by other companies.

Data Linked to You

• Contact Info (email - only if you contact support)
• User Content (reminders, notes, photos you create)
• Identifiers (device ID for analytics)
• Usage Data (app interactions)
• Diagnostics (crash data)

Data Not Linked to You

• Analytics data is anonymized and not linked to your identity