Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you use Leveling Steps, we may collect the following types of personal information:

• Account Information: Email address, username, profile picture
• Contact Information: Email address for account verification, password reset, and essential communications
• Payment Information: Subscription status, purchase history, transaction IDs, and billing information (processed securely through app stores)

Health and Fitness Data

• Step Count Data: Daily, weekly, and historical step counts from your device's built-in sensors
• Activity Data: Walking distance, calories burned (estimated), active time (estimated) based on the step count
• Goal Information: Daily step goals, fitness level, motivation preferences
• Progress Data: Streaks, achievements, personal records, and historical trends

Device and Technical Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version
• Usage Analytics: App usage patterns, feature interactions, crash reports (anonymized)
• Location Data: We do NOT collect or store location data. Step counting uses device sensors only.

2. How We Use Your Information

Core App Functionality

• Track and display your daily step counts and progress
• Calculate personalized fitness goals and recommendations
• Provide personal achievement tracking and progress celebrations
• Provide achievement notifications and progress celebrations
• Sync your data across devices (when logged in)

App Improvement and Support

• Analyze app usage to improve features and user experience
• Provide customer support and respond to your inquiries
• Send important app updates and security notifications
• Detect and prevent technical issues and security threats

Communications (Optional)

• Send motivational reminders and goal achievement celebrations (you can opt out)
• Share weekly/monthly progress summaries (you can opt out)
• Notify about new features and app improvements (you can opt out)

Subscription and Payment Processing

• Process subscription purchases and manage billing through app stores
• Verify subscription status and provide premium features
• Send subscription renewal reminders and billing notifications
• Handle subscription cancellations and refund requests
• Prevent fraud and ensure secure payment processing

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Service Providers

We may share limited information with trusted service providers who help us operate Leveling Steps:

• Cloud Storage: Firebase/Google Cloud for secure data storage and synchronization
• Analytics: Anonymized usage data for app improvement (no personal identification)
• Customer Support: Support ticket systems to help resolve your issues
• Payment Processing: App Store (Apple) and Google Play Store for subscription billing and payment processing
• Subscription Management: RevenueCat or similar services for subscription verification and management

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Leveling Steps, our users, or others.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Secure Storage: Data is stored on secure, GDPR-compliant cloud infrastructure
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your data
• Regular Audits: We regularly review and update our security practices

5. Your Privacy Rights and Controls

Data Access and Control

• View Your Data: Access all personal data we have about you through the app settings
• Update Information: Modify your profile, goals, and preferences at any time
• Delete Data: Request deletion of your account and all associated data
• Data Export: Download a copy of your fitness data and progress history

Privacy Settings

• Profile Visibility: Control your personal profile information
• Achievement Sharing: Choose whether to celebrate achievements
• Notifications: Customize which notifications you receive
• Data Control: Control what information is stored and displayed

6. Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary to provide our services:

• Active Accounts: Data is retained while your account is active
• Deleted Accounts: Data is permanently deleted within 30 days of account deletion
• Subscription Data: Billing and subscription information is retained for accounting and legal compliance purposes for up to 7 years
• Transaction Records: Purchase history and transaction IDs may be retained for financial record-keeping and dispute resolution
• Anonymized Analytics: Anonymized usage data may be retained for app improvement
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer if required by law

7. Children's Privacy

Leveling Steps is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that all international transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and include appropriate safeguards to protect your privacy.

9. Third-Party Integrations

Health Data Integration

• Apple HealthKit: We may integrate with HealthKit to read step data (with your permission)
• Google Fit: We may integrate with Google Fit to read step data (with your permission)
• Data Control: You can revoke these permissions at any time through your device settings

App Store Integrations

• Apple App Store: For subscription purchases, billing, and payment processing on iOS devices
• Google Play Store: For subscription purchases, billing, and payment processing on Android devices
• Subscription Services: Third-party services may be used for subscription management and verification
• Data Sharing: We only share subscription status and transaction IDs with these services, not personal health data

10. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use minimal cookies and similar technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for app functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Anonymous usage analytics to improve the app
• No Advertising Cookies: We do not use cookies for advertising or tracking

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Sending an email notification to your registered email address
• Displaying a prominent notice in the app
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy