Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

In the App

BoldFace allows you to create and manage flashcards. The information you provide includes:

• Flashcard Content: Questions, answers, categories, and references you create
• Custom Decks: Organizational collections of flashcards you create
• Study Progress: Your study sessions, history, and statistics
• Photos: Images you choose to add to your flashcards (both question and answer sides)
• Preferences: App settings, flagged cards, and muted cards
• Shared Decks: Decks you choose to export and share with others

The app does not collect analytics, tracking data, or personal information beyond what you create within it, and none of it is sent to us.

On the Website

The website only receives information you choose to send it, plus the basic request data every website receives:

• Support Messages: If you use the Support form, we receive the email address you enter and your message. They are delivered to us through an email delivery service so we can reply to you.
• Sign in with Apple: When you sign in on the website, Apple shares your name and an email address with BoldFace. If you choose Hide My Email, we receive a private Apple relay address instead of your real email.
• Deck Library Submissions: If you submit a deck to the Deck Library, we store the deck file (its cards, references, and images) and the optional display name you enter, which is shown with the deck if it is approved. The email address and note you enter are sent to us by email for review and are not published or stored on the website.
• Server Logs: The website is hosted by Vercel. Like any web host, Vercel automatically records basic request data, such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages requested, to keep the website secure and running.

We do not use analytics, advertising, or tracking cookies on the website.

How We Use Your Information

Your information is used only to run BoldFace:

• Display your flashcards during study sessions
• Sync your content across your devices, and with the website when you sign in, via iCloud
• Store your study preferences, history, and statistics
• Display photos you’ve added to flashcards
• Export decks when you choose to share them with others
• Reply to messages you send through the Support form
• Review submitted decks and publish approved decks in the Deck Library
• Keep the website secure and working

We do not sell your information or use it for advertising.

Data Storage and Syncing

Local Storage

All app data is stored locally on your device using iOS standard storage mechanisms. This includes:

• Flashcard content in local files
• Photos in the app’s local storage directory
• User preferences, flagged cards, and muted card lists

iCloud Sync

If you are signed into iCloud on your device, BoldFace uses your personal iCloud account to sync your data across your devices. This includes:

• User-created flashcards
• Custom decks
• Photos attached to flashcards
• Flagged cards
• Muted cards
• Study history and statistics
• Study preferences

Important Details

• iCloud sync is automatic when you’re signed into iCloud
• Data synced to iCloud is stored in your private iCloud container, not on our servers
• We do not have access to your iCloud data
• Syncing uses Apple’s CloudKit framework
• Data transmission is encrypted by Apple’s iCloud infrastructure
• When you sign in on the website with your Apple ID, the website reads and writes this same private iCloud data on your behalf so you can view and edit your cards and decks in a browser. That data stays in your iCloud account; we do not keep a copy
• You control your iCloud storage through your Apple ID settings

Website Data

• Support messages and deck submission emails are kept in the BoldFace email inbox for as long as needed
• Deck Library submissions and approved decks are stored with Vercel’s storage service
• Server logs are kept by Vercel according to its own retention practices

Photo Access

When you choose to add photos to flashcards:

• You explicitly select photos using the iOS Photos Picker
• The app only accesses photos you specifically select
• Photos are stored within the app’s private storage and/or your private iCloud container
• We do not access your photo library beyond the photos you select
• No photo library permission is requested unless you choose to add a photo

Notifications

If you turn on study reminders, the app asks for permission to send you notifications:

• Reminders are scheduled locally on your device
• No notification data is sent to us
• You can turn reminders off at any time in the app or in iOS Settings

Data Sharing

We do not sell your data or share it with advertisers. We share data only with the service providers that run BoldFace, and only as needed for them to do so:

• Apple: iCloud (CloudKit) sync and Sign in with Apple
• Vercel: Website hosting and Deck Library storage
• Our email delivery provider: Delivering Support form messages and Deck Library submissions to us

Sharing Decks from the App

You have the option to export and share decks you create:

• Deck Export: You can export your custom decks as files to share with others
• Voluntary Action: Sharing only occurs when you explicitly choose to export and share a deck
• Recipient Access: Anyone you share a deck file with can import it into their copy of BoldFace
• Control: You decide what to share, when to share it, and with whom
• No Automatic Sharing: We do not automatically share your content with anyone

When you share a deck:

• The exported file contains the flashcard content (questions, answers, categories, references) from that deck
• Photos attached to flashcards in the deck are included in the export
• Your study progress and personal preferences are NOT included
• The recipient can view and study the flashcard content you’ve shared
• Once shared, you cannot control or revoke access to the exported file (it becomes a separate copy)

Deck Library

• Submitting a deck to the Deck Library is voluntary
• We review every submitted deck for inappropriate material before it is posted
• Approved decks are public: anyone can view and download them
• Your study progress and personal preferences are never included
• You can ask us to remove your deck from the Deck Library at any time. Copies that people have already downloaded stay with them and cannot be pulled back

Third-Party Services

The App

The app uses only Apple’s frameworks and services:

• CloudKit: For iCloud syncing (uses your private iCloud storage)
• PhotosPicker: For selecting photos to add to flashcards (iOS system framework)
• User Notifications: For study reminders you turn on (iOS system framework)
• Standard iOS frameworks: SwiftUI, Foundation, UIKit

No third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services are used in the app.

The Website

• Vercel: Hosting and Deck Library storage
• Apple: Sign in with Apple and CloudKit access to your private iCloud data
• Email delivery provider: Delivers Support form messages and Deck Library submissions to us

No third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services are used on the website.

Data Security

We take data security seriously:

• App data is stored using iOS standard security practices
• iCloud syncing uses Apple’s encryption and security
• Photos are stored in the app’s sandboxed container
• The website is served only over encrypted HTTPS connections
• Support messages and Deck Library submissions are accessible only to BoldFace

Your Data Rights

You have complete control over your data:

Access and Export

• All your app data is accessible within the app
• You can view all flashcards, decks, and photos you’ve created
• You can export any deck to share with others or keep as a backup

Deletion

• You can delete individual flashcards, photos, or entire decks
• Deleting the app removes the data stored on that device, but it does not delete your data in iCloud
• All private iCloud data can be deleted by the user via iCloud settings. This is explained in detail on the app’s iCloud Sync informational page.
• To have a Support message or a Deck Library deck removed, email us at the address below
• Note: Exported deck files you’ve shared with others, and Deck Library decks others have downloaded, remain with those people even after you delete your copy

Sharing Control

• You choose what decks to export, share, or submit to the Deck Library
• You control when and with whom you share
• No automatic or mandatory sharing of your content

iCloud Control

• You can stop iCloud sync by signing out of iCloud or turning off iCloud for BoldFace in iOS Settings
• You can manage iCloud storage through Settings › [Your Name] › iCloud › Manage Storage
• You can sign out of the website at any time

Children’s Privacy

BoldFace does not collect personal information from children. The app can be used by anyone to study flashcards. Parents and guardians should supervise children’s use of the app.

Data Retention

• Local Data: Retained until you delete flashcards/decks or uninstall the app
• iCloud Data: Retained in your iCloud account until you delete it through iCloud settings
• Photos: Stored locally and/or in iCloud until you remove them from flashcards or delete the cards
• Support Messages: Kept as long as needed to help you, and deleted on request
• Deck Library Decks: Kept while published, and removed on request
• Server Logs: Kept by Vercel for a limited period

Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. Changes will be reflected with a new “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the app or website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Compliance

This privacy policy complies with:

• Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines
• iOS data handling best practices
• General privacy principles