Screentide Privacy Policy

Screentide (“Screentide”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a local-first Android application that helps you understand and manage your screen use. This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled when you use the Screentide app (the “App”) and related services available through screentide.app.

1. Our local-first approach

Screentide does not require or provide a user account.

Your rules, watchlists, settings, app and website usage history, and other screen time data are stored locally on your device. We do not operate a server that receives or stores this core App data as part of normal use.

Some limited information may be sent to the third-party services described in section 4 for purchases, feedback, and optional product analytics. These services process information under their own privacy policies.

2. Information handled on your device

Depending on the features you enable, the App may locally process and store:

• installed application names, package identifiers and icons;
• which applications are in the foreground, when they are used, and for how long;
• website domains or URLs detected in supported browsers;
• screen time statistics, app launches and rule-trigger events;
• rules, schedules, watchlists, limits, intervention settings and preferences;
• location or geofence information used by location-based triggers;
• Wi-Fi network information used by Wi-Fi-based triggers;
• battery and charging state used by relevant triggers;
• notification information needed to suppress notifications when that intervention is enabled;
• purchase entitlement status; and
• diagnostic information or logs that you deliberately choose to include with feedback or export.

This information is used to provide the features you request, including usage reporting, rule evaluation, triggers, interventions, backups and restoration.

3. Android permissions and special access

Screentide requests permissions progressively. Accessibility access is required for Screentide’s core real-time operation. Other permissions are requested only when needed or recommended for a feature you choose.

Permission or access	How Screentide uses it
Accessibility	Required for real-time foreground-app detection, supported-browser domain detection and timely enforcement of rules. Android accessibility access can expose information displayed by other apps. Screentide processes this access to provide its stated screen time and enforcement features. Core data derived from it remains on your device except where you deliberately submit feedback or optional analytics expressly includes a related event.
Usage Access	Reads Android app-usage records to calculate app activity and screen time statistics and support rule evaluation.
Display over other apps	Displays enabled interventions, such as darkening, pausing, countdown or blocking screens, over a target app.
Ignore battery optimisations / background operation	Helps Screentide continue evaluating time-based and launch-based rules reliably while running in the background.
Notifications	Sends rule status, activation and permission-health notifications.
Notification Access	Detects and dismisses notifications from selected apps while a rule’s Mute Notifications feature is active.
VPN	Creates a local VPN connection for network-level interventions. Screentide uses this connection to apply the selected intervention; it does not operate the VPN as a general-purpose remote browsing service.
Location	Supports location, geofence and Wi-Fi-based triggers. Android may require location permission to access nearby Wi-Fi information.
Device Administrator	Supports optional anti-bypass protections while enabled, subject to Android’s capabilities and restrictions.

You can review or revoke permissions in Android settings. Revoking access may disable or reduce the reliability of the features that depend on it. Some access, particularly Accessibility, is necessary for Screentide’s core functionality.

4. Information sent to third-party services

RevenueCat

Screentide uses RevenueCat to manage in-app purchases and entitlements. RevenueCat and the applicable app store may process a generated app-user identifier, purchase and subscription information, product identifiers, transaction status, device or app information, and related diagnostics. Screentide does not receive your full payment-card details.

See the RevenueCat Privacy Policy.

Wiredash

When you choose to send feedback, Screentide uses Wiredash. Wiredash may receive the feedback and attachments you submit, screenshots or diagnostics you choose to include, and technical information needed to deliver the feedback. Do not include sensitive personal information unless it is necessary for your support request.

See the Wiredash Privacy Policy.

PostHog

Screentide uses PostHog for product analytics. Analytics may include a pseudonymous installation identifier, App version, device or operating-system information, broad interaction events, feature usage and technical diagnostics. We use this information to understand App performance and improve Screentide.

Product analytics are optional and can be disabled in the App’s settings. Disabling analytics stops future optional analytics collection; it may not delete events already received and retained by PostHog. Screentide does not intentionally send your detailed app or website usage history to PostHog as product analytics.

See the PostHog Privacy Policy.

App stores and operating-system providers

Google Play and Android may independently process information when you download, update, purchase or use the App. Their handling of information is governed by their own terms and privacy policies.

5. Data exports and backups

Screentide allows you to export a backup of locally stored App data. The exported file may contain sensitive information, including your usage history, websites, rules, schedules, locations or preferences.

After an export is created, you control where it is stored, copied or shared. Screentide does not upload or secure exported files for you and cannot recover a lost backup. You are responsible for protecting exports, choosing a secure storage location, controlling access to them and deleting unwanted copies.

When you restore a backup, its contents are processed locally on the device on which you restore it.

6. How we use information

We use information only as reasonably necessary to:

• provide and maintain the App;
• calculate and display screen time information;
• evaluate and enforce rules, triggers and interventions;
• validate and restore purchases;
• respond to feedback and support requests;
• diagnose faults, protect the App and prevent abuse;
• understand and improve the App where optional analytics are enabled; and
• comply with legal obligations and protect our legal rights.

We do not sell your personal information.

7. Disclosure

We may disclose limited information:

• to the service providers identified above, for the purposes described in this Policy;
• when you direct us to do so, such as by submitting feedback or exporting and sharing a backup;
• where reasonably necessary to comply with law, legal process or a lawful government request;
• to protect the rights, safety and security of users, Screentide or others; or
• in connection with a business transfer, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Because our service providers may operate internationally, information sent to them may be processed outside Australia, including in jurisdictions whose privacy laws differ from those in your location.

8. Retention and deletion

Core App data remains on your device until you delete it through the App, clear the App’s storage or uninstall the App. Uninstalling may not delete backup files you previously exported.

Information sent to RevenueCat, Wiredash, PostHog, an app store or another service is retained under that provider’s policies and any applicable legal obligations. You may contact us regarding information under our control. Because Screentide does not create accounts, we may not be able to identify or associate third-party records with you without information from your device or purchase.

9. Security

We take reasonable measures to protect information under our control. However, no device, software, transmission method or storage system is completely secure. Device compromise, insecure backups, permission misuse by other software, operating-system behaviour and user actions can affect the security of locally stored or exported data.

You are responsible for maintaining appropriate device security, including a screen lock, operating-system updates and secure handling of exported backups.

10. Children

Screentide is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through an account system because the App does not provide accounts. A parent or guardian who allows a child to use Screentide should review the App’s permissions, settings and any information submitted to remote services.

If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us through feedback or another remote feature, contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

11. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete or restrict the handling of personal information under our control, or to make a privacy complaint.

You can also:

• disable optional PostHog analytics in Screentide’s settings;
• choose whether to submit feedback through Wiredash;
• grant or revoke Android permissions and special access;
• delete local data, clear the App’s storage or uninstall the App; and
• delete exported backups wherever you stored them.

Revoking a permission may prevent the related feature from functioning.

12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as Screentide or legal requirements change. We will publish the revised version at screentide.app and update the effective date. Where appropriate, we may also provide notice in the App.

13. Contact

For privacy questions, requests or complaints, contact us through screentide.app.

Please include enough information for us to understand your request, but do not send an exported Screentide backup unless we specifically ask for it.