Privacy Policy

1. Summary

Game Stash does not collect, transmit, sell, or share any personal information. The App functions as a private, on-device utility:

• No account required: You never need to sign in, create a profile, or provide an email address.
• No server backend: We operate no remote databases or proprietary servers to store your library.
• No tracking or analytics: The App contains no third-party tracking frameworks, telemetry SDKs, or behavioral trackers.
• No ads: There are zero advertising frameworks or data-broker integrations.

All your application and wishlist data lives in the App's sandboxed local database on your device. The only ways data moves are standard user-initiated actions, such as encrypted system backups via iCloud or sharing an App Store link.

2. Information Handled by the App

To be clear about the term "collect": we do not collect any data. The App stores the following items locally on your device solely to provide price tracking and vault management:

2.1 Information You Add

When you use the App, you may store:

• Apps and games added to your vault or wishlist
• Ownership status (e.g. "Owned" vs "Tracked")
• Custom target price alert thresholds and notification preferences
• App Store country/storefront preference (e.g. US, ID, JP)
• Recorded price history points discovered during price checks
• Developer and studio grouping preferences

All of this information is saved directly to your device's local database using Apple's SwiftData framework. It never leaves your device unless you explicitly back up your device.

2.2 Device Features, Contacts, and Location

Game Stash does not request access to your contacts, camera, photo library, microphone, or precise location. No permissions for these features are requested or used.

2.3 Automatically Collected Information & Analytics

We do not collect usage analytics, interaction logs, device fingerprints, or crash telemetry. We do not include third-party SDKs such as Google Firebase, Meta SDK, Mixpanel, or PostHog in our iOS binaries. In Apple's official privacy manifest (PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy), our NSPrivacyTracking declaration is strictly set to false.

2.4 Technical Preferences Stored Locally

The App stores basic interface preferences locally using Apple's standard system settings (UserDefaults), declared under category NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryUserDefaults (reason code CA92.1):

• Appearance preference (Light, Dark, or System)
• Default storefront region for App Store queries
• Display sorting and filter options (e.g. highest discount, lowest price)
• Supporter status flag following an optional tip

These preferences remain strictly on your device and are never transmitted to us or any third party.

2.5 Voluntary Support Correspondence

Because Game Stash contains no automated telemetry or crash reporting tools, we cannot detect crashes automatically. If you encounter an issue or have feedback, you may voluntarily reach out via email. Any email address or diagnostic details you provide are used solely to investigate and answer your inquiry.

3. Network Requests (Apple iTunes Search API)

To look up apps and refresh pricing information, Game Stash sends direct HTTPS queries to Apple's official, public iTunes Search API (itunes.apple.com):

• Search & Metadata Lookups: When you search for an app or paste an App Store URL, the App queries Apple's search endpoint with the search term or Apple ID to fetch title, developer name, app icon URL, current price, and release notes.
• Price Refreshes: During scheduled background or manual refreshes, the App requests updated price and version information for apps currently in your vault.

These network queries contain only the technical parameters necessary to retrieve App Store data (such as app IDs and your chosen storefront country code). They do not transmit your name, device identifier, or personal information. Like all standard internet requests, Apple's servers receive your IP address; these requests are governed by Apple's Privacy Policy. Game Stash communicates with no other servers or external endpoints.

4. Local Notifications

Price-drop alerts and version update notifications are generated and scheduled entirely on your device using Apple's UserNotifications framework:

• No remote push notification servers (APNs) or third-party notification services are involved.
• Notification triggers are evaluated locally when background refresh tasks detect a price lower than your configured alert threshold.
• You can grant or revoke notification permissions at any time in iOS Settings (Settings > Game Stash > Notifications).

5. In-App Purchases & Tips (StoreKit)

Game Stash offers optional tip jar purchases to support ongoing independent development:

• All transactions are processed directly by Apple via the native StoreKit framework.
• We never receive or store your credit card information, bank details, Apple ID credentials, or billing address.
• The App only receives cryptographic transaction confirmations from Apple to set a local flag (e.g. granting supporter badges and disabling tip reminders).

6. Background Sync & Actor Concurrency

Game Stash uses iOS Background Tasks and Swift Concurrency actors to silently refresh pricing data:

These background routines execute locally on your device according to iOS power-management scheduling. They do not maintain persistent background connections or track your location.

7. Device Backups (iCloud & Local)

Depending on your iOS settings, your device may include the App's local SwiftData store in your personal device backups:

• iCloud Backup: When iCloud Backup is enabled, your sandboxed vault database is included in your encrypted Apple backup. We have no access to your iCloud storage or backups. You can manage app backups anytime in device Settings (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups).
• Computer Backups: When you back up your device locally using Finder on macOS or Apple Devices / iTunes on Windows, the App's local storage is included in that local archive.

8. Data Storage, Sandboxing & Security

All application data is stored in the App's sandboxed container on your iOS device using Apple's SwiftData framework. Under iOS application sandboxing, no third-party application on your device can read or access Game Stash's database.

Data on your device is protected by iOS hardware-based Data Protection and encryption when your device is locked with a passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. Because we maintain no servers or central databases, there is no remote database susceptible to data breaches.

9. Children's Privacy

Game Stash is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. In fact, we collect no personal information from any user of any age.

10. Your Rights & Data Control

Because all your data remains exclusively on your device, you possess total, instantaneous control over your data:

• Access: All tracked apps, price records, and settings are viewable inside the App at any time.
• Rectification: You can edit alerts, ownership tags, and preferences directly within the interface.
• Deletion: You can remove individual items, clear data within the App's settings, or delete the App entirely from your device to instantly erase all local data stores.

If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, Indonesia (under UU PDP / Law No. 27 of 2022), California, or other jurisdictions with comprehensive data protection laws, your statutory rights to access, rectify, port, or erase personal data are fulfilled directly by the App's local-first architecture without needing to submit a formal data subject request.

11. Declared Frameworks & Third-Party Services

Game Stash integrates zero third-party advertising networks, data brokers, or analytics suites. The App relies solely on official Apple developer frameworks:

• SwiftData / CoreData — Local database storage.
• StoreKit — Processing optional in-app tips.
• UserNotifications — Local price alert notifications.
• Foundation (URLSession) — Direct HTTPS queries to the public Apple iTunes Search API.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect enhancements to the App or changes in legal requirements. Any modifications will be posted directly to this page with an updated "Last updated" date.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, feedback, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the privacy practices of Game Stash, please contact the developer directly: