Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 2026 • Version: 1.0

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Kinly, we believe your personal relationships are deeply private. That's why we built Kinly with a local-first architecture-your relationship data stays on your device, under your control.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we access, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data. We've written it in plain language because privacy is too important for confusing legal jargon.

The short version: Your data is yours. It lives on your device. We don't sell it. We don't share it. We can't even see it.

Table of Contents

1. Information We Collect
2. How We Use Your Information
3. Local Storage: How Your Data Works
4. Contact Import Feature
5. Notifications
6. Information Sharing
7. Third-Party Services
8. Data Retention
9. Data Security
10. Your Rights and Choices
11. Additional Rights for EU Users (GDPR)
12. Additional Rights for California Users (CCPA)
13. Children's Privacy
14. International Users
15. Changes to This Policy
16. Contact Us

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you use Kinly, you may choose to provide:

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the App, we may automatically collect:

Important: We use privacy-focused analytics that do not track individual users. We collect aggregate, anonymized data to understand how Kinly is used generally-not to profile you personally.

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be crystal clear about what we don't do:

• We do not collect or store your relationship data on our servers
• We do not read your journal entries or notes
• We do not access your contacts without your explicit permission
• We do not track your location
• We do not collect biometric data
• We do not access your photos, camera, or microphone (except for avatar selection)
• We do not collect payment card information (handled by Apple/Google)

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 To Provide the App's Core Features

Your locally stored data is processed on your device to:

• Display your contacts and their connection health status
• Generate daily connection prompts based on your cadence settings
• Track your interaction streaks and social health metrics
• Send you local reminders about important dates
• Calculate statistics about your relationship maintenance habits

2.2 To Improve the App

We use aggregated, anonymized data to:

• Fix bugs and improve stability
• Understand which features are most useful
• Guide decisions about new features
• Ensure compatibility across devices

2.3 To Communicate With You

If you contact us for support, we use your contact information to:

• Respond to your questions or concerns
• Send important service announcements
• Notify you of significant changes to the App or our policies

2.4 To Process Subscriptions

We use subscription status information to:

• Unlock Premium features for subscribers
• Manage free trial periods
• Provide customer support for billing issues

3. Local Storage: How Your Data Works

3.1 Local-First Architecture

Kinly uses a local-first architecture, which means:

• Your data stays on your device. All contacts, journal entries, notes, and important dates are stored in a secure database on your phone or tablet.
• We cannot access your data. Since your data doesn't leave your device, we have no technical ability to view, read, or analyze your personal information.
• You have full control. You can export, delete, or manage your data at any time without involving us.

3.2 Technical Details

Your data is stored using:

• SQLite Database: A local database on your device
• Secure Storage: iOS Keychain and Android Keystore are used for storing encryption keys when you enable cloud backup
• Device Encryption: Your data benefits from your device's full-disk encryption

3.3 What This Means for You

3.4 Limitations to Be Aware Of

4. Contact Import Feature

4.1 How Contact Import Works

When you choose to import contacts from your device:

1. We request permission to access your device's address book
2. You select which contacts to import (we never access contacts you don't choose)
3. Selected information is copied to Kinly's local database
4. Data stays local on your device and is never sent to our servers

4.2 What Information Is Imported

When you import a contact, we may copy:

• Name
• Phone number(s)
• Email address(es)
• Photo/avatar

4.3 What We Do NOT Do

• We do not continuously sync with your address book
• We do not upload your contacts to any server
• We do not share contact information with third parties
• We do not modify your device's address book
• We do not access contacts you haven't explicitly selected

4.4 Third-Party Contact Data

The contacts you import are people who haven't directly interacted with Kinly. By using this feature, you acknowledge:

• You have the right to use their contact information for personal relationship management
• You will use this information responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws
• You are responsible for honoring any requests from your contacts regarding their information

5. Notifications

5.1 Types of Notifications

Kinly offers local notifications to help you maintain relationships:

5.2 How Notifications Work

• Locally generated: Notifications are created on your device, not sent from our servers
• No personal data transmitted: We don't receive any information when notifications are triggered
• Fully controllable: Enable, disable, or customize all notifications in Settings

5.3 Notification Permissions

• We request notification permission during onboarding or when you enable notifications
• You can revoke permission at any time through your device settings
• The App works fully without notifications if you prefer not to enable them

6. Information Sharing

6.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. Period.

6.2 Limited Sharing Circumstances

We may share limited information only in these circumstances:

6.3 What Our Service Providers Can Access

Our service providers (analytics, crash reporting) may receive:

• Device type and operating system
• App version and performance metrics
• Crash logs and error reports

They cannot access:

• Your contacts or relationship data
• Your journal entries or notes
• Any content you've created in the App

7. Third-Party Services

7.1 App Distribution Platforms

Kinly is distributed through:

• Apple App Store (iOS)
• Google Play Store (Android)

These platforms handle:

• App downloads and updates
• Subscription payments and management
• Their own data collection (governed by their privacy policies)

7.2 Analytics and Crash Reporting

We may use privacy-focused services to understand App usage:

We choose providers that respect privacy and do not use your data for advertising.

7.3 No Advertising

Kinly does not contain advertisements and does not share data with advertising networks.

8. Data Retention

8.1 Local Data (On Your Device)

Data stored locally on your device is retained until:

• You delete it within the App
• You uninstall the App
• You reset the App's data

We have no control over locally stored data retention because we don't have access to it.

8.2 Support Communications

If you contact us for support, we retain your communications for:

8.3 Subscription Records

We retain subscription-related records:

8.4 Aggregated Analytics

Anonymized, aggregated analytics data may be retained indefinitely for trend analysis and App improvement.

9. Data Security

9.1 Our Security Measures

We implement appropriate security measures including:

• Local Storage: Your data is stored in a SQLite database on your device
• Secure Development: We follow secure coding practices
• Limited Access: Our team cannot access your locally stored data
• Regular Updates: We promptly address security vulnerabilities

9.2 Your Security Responsibilities

You can enhance your data security by:

• Using a strong device passcode or biometric lock
• Keeping your device's operating system updated
• Enabling device encryption (usually enabled by default)
• Not sharing your device with untrusted individuals
• Regularly backing up your data using the export feature

9.3 Security Limitations

While we implement strong security measures, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data to the best of our ability.

9.4 Reporting Security Issues

If you discover a security vulnerability, please report it to hpstudiosapp+kinly-security@gmail.com. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly.

10. Your Rights and Choices

10.1 Access Your Data

You can access all data stored in Kinly at any time through the App. Your contacts, journal entries, and settings are all visible and accessible to you.

10.2 Export Your Data

You can export your data in multiple formats:

• JSON format: Human-readable and usable in other applications
• Database file: Complete backup of your Kinly database

Go to: Settings > Backup & Sync > Export

10.3 Correct Your Data

You can edit or correct any information directly in the App:

• Contact details: Tap any contact > Edit
• Journal entries: Tap any entry > Edit
• Important dates: Calendar > Tap event > Edit

10.4 Delete Your Data

You have multiple deletion options:

10.5 Control Notifications

Manage notifications through:

• In-App: Settings > Notifications
• System-level: Your device's notification settings

10.6 Opt-Out of Analytics

If you prefer not to share anonymized usage data, contact us at hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com and we will provide opt-out instructions.

11. Additional Rights for EU Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

11.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your data based on:

11.2 Your GDPR Rights

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction: Request limited processing of your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the legal basis)
• Lodge Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

11.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

For locally stored data, you can exercise most rights directly in the App (see Section 10).

For other requests, contact us at hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com with:

• Your name and email address
• Description of your request
• Any relevant details to help us respond

We will respond within 30 days (or as required by law).

11.4 Data Protection Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. A list of EU data protection authorities is available at: https://edpb.europa.eu/about-edpb/about-edpb/members_en

11.5 International Transfers

Since your data is stored locally on your device, no international data transfer occurs for your relationship data. For support communications or analytics data processed by us, we implement appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses where required.

12. Additional Rights for California Users (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

12.1 Categories of Personal Information

Kinly collects minimal personal information. We may collect:

• Identifiers: Name and email (only if you contact support)
• Commercial Information: Subscription records (managed by Apple/Google)
• Usage Data: Anonymized app analytics only

We do not collect: location data, biometric information, financial account details, health data, or any sensitive personal information.

12.2 Your CCPA Rights

You have the right to:

• Know: Request disclosure of personal information collected, used, and shared
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do NOT sell or share personal information
• Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

12.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

Submit requests through:

• Email: hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com
• In-App: Settings > Developer > Reset App Data (for deleting data stored on your device)

We will verify your identity before fulfilling requests and respond within 45 days.

12.4 Notice of Non-Sale

We do not sell your personal information. We do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Therefore, we do not offer a "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" opt-out because there is nothing to opt out of.

12.5 Authorized Agents

You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. The agent must provide written authorization from you, and we may require you to verify your identity directly.

12.6 Financial Incentives

We do not offer financial incentives related to personal information collection.

13. Children's Privacy

13.1 Age Restrictions

Kinly is not intended for children under 13 years of age (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction).

13.2 Our Policy

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly
• If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com

13.3 Parental Guidance

If you allow a child between 13-17 to use Kinly:

• You are responsible for supervising their use
• You assume responsibility for any data they enter
• You should review these privacy practices with them

14. International Users

14.1 Local Storage Advantage

Because Kinly stores data locally on your device, your relationship data doesn't cross international borders. It remains on your device wherever you are.

14.2 Service Operations

For service operations (support, analytics), if you are outside the United States, please note:

• Support communications may be processed in the United States
• We implement appropriate safeguards for any international transfers
• By using the App, you consent to the processing of support data in the United States

14.3 Regional Variations

This Privacy Policy applies globally. Sections 11 (GDPR) and 12 (CCPA) provide additional rights for users in those jurisdictions. If your local laws provide greater protections, those laws will apply.

15. Changes to This Policy

15.1 How We Update This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do:

• We update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• For material changes (changes that significantly affect your privacy rights), we will:
  • Notify you through the App
  • Send an email if you've provided one
  • Give you at least 30 days' notice before changes take effect

15.2 What Constitutes a Material Change

Material changes include:

• New categories of personal information collected
• Significant changes to how we use information
• New sharing with third parties
• Reduced privacy protections or user rights
• Changes to data retention practices

15.3 Your Choices

If you disagree with changes:

• You may stop using the App before changes take effect
• Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance

15.4 Previous Versions

We maintain an archive of previous Privacy Policy versions. Contact hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com to request a copy.

16. Contact Us

We're committed to addressing your privacy concerns. Please reach out if you have questions.

16.1 General Privacy Inquiries

Email: hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com

16.2 Support Questions

Email: hpstudiosapp+kinly-support@gmail.com

16.3 Legal and Compliance

Email: hpstudiosapp+kinly-legal@gmail.com

16.4 Response Time

We aim to respond to all privacy inquiries within:

• General questions: 5 business days
• Data requests (GDPR/CCPA): 30 days (or as required by law)
• Security concerns: 48 hours

Summary: What Makes Kinly Different

This Privacy Policy was last reviewed and updated in January 2026.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at hpstudiosapp+kinly-privacy@gmail.com.