Privacy Policy
Effective date:
Word is operated by Andrew Betancourt ("we," "us," or "our"). This policy explains how we handle personal information when you use Word and how you can contact us about your privacy.
Privacy contact: wordsupport.app@gmail.com
1. Information we handle
Account information
When you create an account or sign in, we handle information such as your name, email address, account identifier, and authentication information. Firebase Authentication manages authentication. If you sign in with Apple or Google, we receive the information that provider makes available under your choices and its policies.
Habits and completion history
We store the habits you create, including their titles, icons, schedules, commitment levels, proof methods, saved locations where applicable, streaks, and completion history. Completion records may include dates, times, and your time zone. We use this information to provide habit tracking, progress summaries, reminders, and syncing.
Habit information can reveal personal details depending on what you enter. Please consider what information you include in habit titles and proof photos.
Location information
With your permission, Word accesses your device location to support location search and location-based proof of completion. Habit locations you save, including their names and coordinates, are stored with your habit information and synced to our cloud database.
You can change location permissions in your device settings. Disabling access may prevent location-based features from working.
Photos and AI verification
If you choose photo proof, Word uses your camera to capture an image you submit for verification. We send the submitted photo, the associated habit title, and account identifier to our verification service. The service assess whether the photo supports completion of the habit. The verification result is returned to Word and may determine whether the habit is marked complete.
Our AI verification service uses zero data retention: submitted photos, habit titles, and the account identifier accompanying the request are processed to produce a verification result and are never retained by the inference provider after processing.
Your AI verification submissions are not used to train the model.
Please avoid submitting photos containing sensitive documents or personal information unrelated to the habit. You can decline camera access or choose an available alternative proof method.
Screen Time and app blocking
With your authorization, Word uses Apple's Screen Time frameworks to block the apps, categories, or websites you select for relevant habits. Word stores selection tokens and blocking schedules in shared app storage on your device so the app and its extensions can apply your choices. These selection tokens are not uploaded to our Firebase database by the current implementation.
You can manage Screen Time authorization in your device settings. Revoking authorization prevents Word from applying its app-blocking features.
Purchases
Apple processes subscriptions and in-app payments through the App Store. Word accesses purchase and subscription status information to enable paid features and restore purchases. We do not receive your full payment card details from Apple.
Technical information and support
Our infrastructure and service providers may process technical information needed to deliver and protect the service, such as network addresses, request metadata, authentication or app-attestation information, and error logs.
We use only the analytics and crash reporting made available to us through Apple’s App Store Connect to understand app performance and reliability. We do not use a separate in-app analytics or crash-reporting service. Apple handles the underlying collection according to its policies and your applicable device and sharing settings.
We do not intentionally log users’ personal information in our backend.
If you contact us for support, we receive your contact details and the information you include in your message.
2. How we use information
We use information to:
- Create and secure accounts and authenticate users.
- Save and sync habits and completion history.
- Verify completion using the proof method you select.
- Provide progress summaries, reminders, widgets, and app blocking.
- Verify subscription access and restore purchases.
- Respond to support and privacy requests.
- Maintain security, investigate errors and abuse, and meet applicable legal obligations.
3. When information is shared
We share information with service providers as needed to operate Word:
- Google Firebase: Authentication, cloud database storage, backend functions, and app-attestation services. Firebase privacy information
- OpenRouter and ModelRun: Processing photo-proof requests as described above.
- Apple: App Store purchases, sign-in when selected, and Apple platform services. Apple Privacy Policy
- Google Sign-In: Authentication when you choose Google sign-in. Google Privacy Policy
We may also disclose information when legally required, to protect users and the service, or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or transfer of the business, subject to applicable law.
Word does not display advertisements or use your information to target advertisements.
We do not sell personal information, share it for cross-context behavioral advertising, or track users across other companies’ apps or websites.
4. Storage and security
Word stores habit information locally on your device and in Firebase for account-based syncing. Some information is shared locally with Word's widgets and app-blocking extensions. Widgets can display habit progress on your device's screen; manage widget placement and visibility using your device settings.
No storage or transmission method is completely secure.
5. How long we keep information
We retain information for the following periods or according to these criteria:
| Information | Retention period or criteria |
|---|---|
| Account profile and authentication records | Retained until you delete your account, then immediately removed from active systems after a successful deletion request. |
| Habits, saved locations, and completion history | Retained until you delete the associated habit or your account, then immediately removed from active systems after a successful deletion request. |
| Submitted photos and AI request data | Zero retention by OpenRouter and ModelRun after processing. |
| Database backups | Database backups are not enabled. |
6. Your choices and deletion
You can edit your profile and habits in Word and manage camera, location, notification, and Screen Time permissions in device settings. Disabling a permission may limit the associated feature.
You can request account deletion by contacting wordsupport.app@gmail.com. We may ask you to verify your identity before acting on a request. Account deletion removes your account profile, authentication record, habits, saved habit locations, and completion history from active systems. Deletion occurs immediately after the request successfully completes. We do not enable database backups.
Deleting the app does not itself delete your cloud account or cancel an App Store subscription. You can manage or cancel subscriptions through your Apple account settings.
Depending on where you live and which laws apply, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of your personal information, withdraw consent, or object to or restrict certain processing. Contact wordsupport.app@gmail.com to make a request.
7. International processing and regional information
Word is available worldwide.
8. Children's privacy
Word is not directed at children under 13.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as Word changes. We will post the updated policy on this page and revise the effective date.
10. Contact
For privacy questions or requests, contact:
Andrew Betancourt