Privacy Policy

Overview

BiteNoted is a personal food journal. Your content is stored on your device and syncs to your private iCloud database when you’re signed in to iCloud and iCloud is enabled on your device. We do not run our own servers for your journal content, we do not sell your data, and we do not use third-party analytics or crash reporting SDKs.

Data You Create

• Journal entries you write, including titles, notes, ratings, tags, and dates
• Photos you take or select for entries
• Places you select or search for, including coordinates, names, addresses, phone numbers, and URLs
• Saved Home location label and coordinate (stored locally in the app)
• Templates, saved searches, and filters you configure
• Profile stats and insights derived from your entries

Device Permissions

• Camera: to take entry photos
• Photo Library: to attach photos you select
• Location (when in use): to show your location on the map, pin entries, and set Home using current location
• Face ID or Touch ID: to unlock Privacy Lock if you enable it
• Tracking (optional): to request permission for personalized ads in the free plan (IDFA)

Home Location (At Home Shortcut)

If you set a Home location, we store the Home label and coordinate locally in the app to prefill At Home entries and group them as a consistent place. We do not continuously track your location, and we do not collect background location. Using "Use Current Location" requests a one-time location fix from iOS and is only stored if you tap Save. We do not upload your saved Home location to BiteNoted servers (we do not run any) and we do not share it with advertisers. Your saved Home location is not stored in BiteNoted's iCloud CloudKit database; it may be included in device backups depending on your iOS backup settings. Entries you create using Home include that location and are synced to your private iCloud database if iCloud Sync is enabled.

How We Use Your Information

We use your data to save and organize your journal, show entries on the map, power widgets, and create exports and backups. Recent place searches and app settings are stored locally to make the app feel faster and more personal. Widgets use a shared on-device app group container to store summaries (recent entry, stats summary, on-this-day entries, and quick add templates); you can hide widget content with Privacy Lock.

Advertising and Tracking

The free plan shows ads provided by Google Mobile Ads (AdMob). If you allow tracking, the Google Mobile Ads SDK may use the device's advertising identifier (IDFA) to personalize ads and measure ad performance. If you decline tracking, ads are non-personalized. AdMob may still collect device information (such as IP address, device identifiers, and coarse location) for ad delivery and fraud prevention as described in Google's policies. Apple SKAdNetwork is used for ad attribution. Purchasing No Ads or Pro disables ads and the tracking prompt.

Sharing and Third-Party Services

BiteNoted uses Apple and Google services to provide core features:

• Apple iCloud/CloudKit: sync and store your journal in your private iCloud database
• Apple MapKit and location services: map display, place search, and reverse geocoding
• Apple StoreKit: in-app purchases and restore purchases
• Google Mobile Ads (AdMob): ads in the free plan

These providers may collect device and usage data as described in their own privacy policies. We do not share your journal content with advertisers. If you choose to share an entry, photo, or stats snapshot, the content is shared through the iOS share sheet and sent only to the destination you choose.

Storage and Security

Your journal is stored locally on your device and syncs via your private iCloud database when you’re signed in to iCloud and iCloud is enabled on your device. Backups are created as local zip files that you export and store wherever you choose. iOS device protections apply to on-device data. Privacy Lock uses system authentication and does not access or store your Face ID/Touch ID data.

Notifications

BiteNoted registers for background remote notifications to keep iCloud sync up to date. These are sent by Apple for CloudKit sync and are not used to send marketing messages.

Data Retention and Deletion

Your journal data is stored on your device. When you’re signed in to iCloud and iCloud is enabled on your device, it’s also stored in your private iCloud database. You can delete individual entries or delete all entries in Settings to remove your data; deletions sync to iCloud. Exported backups remain wherever you save them until you delete them.

Your Choices

• Manage your iCloud sign-in and iCloud sync in iOS Settings
• Deny location or camera access in iOS Settings
• Deny tracking permission to receive non-personalized ads
• Purchase No Ads or Pro to remove ads
• Delete entries or delete all entries to remove your data

Data We Do Not Collect

We do not require accounts, and we do not collect your name, email address, phone number, contacts, or payment information. Payments are handled by Apple through the App Store.

Children's Privacy

BiteNoted is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Contact

If you have questions about this policy, visit bitenoted.app/privacy.html.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will update the date above and ship the update in the app.