Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 27, 2026
In short: Free users' data is stored locally on their device only. Pro users' data is stored locally and synced to Firebase Firestore (Google Cloud) for household sharing. We do not use analytics, advertising, or crash reporting. Your data is yours.
1. Who We Are
Fold is a family calendar and organizer app developed by Nadir Aktan ("we," "us," or "our"). Fold is available on iOS (iPhone) and watchOS (Apple Watch). This Privacy Policy explains how Fold handles your information when you use our app.
2. Our Privacy Principles
- Local-first: Your data always lives on your device. Pro users optionally sync to Firebase Firestore for household sharing.
- No tracking: We do not use analytics, advertising SDKs, or tracking pixels
- No data sales: We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information
- Minimal permissions: We only request device permissions that are essential to app functionality
- No crash reporting: We do not use crash reporting services such as Crashlytics or Sentry
3. Data You Create in Fold
When you use Fold, you may create the following types of content:
| Data Type | Free Users | Pro Users |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar events & important dates | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Task lists & individual tasks | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Grocery lists & items | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Meal plans & recipes | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Chat messages | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Household & member profiles | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Shared contacts | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Couple tools (date planner, countdowns, bucket list, wishlist) | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Family tools (journal, shared notes, trip expenses) | Device only | Device + Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| Invite codes for household sharing | N/A | Firebase (Google Cloud) |
| App preferences & settings | Device only | Device only |
| Usage tracking (daily caps) | Device only | Device only |
Free users: All data is stored locally on your device using Core Data. No data is transmitted to any cloud service.
Pro users: Data is stored locally on your device using Core Data and synced to Firebase Firestore (hosted on Google Cloud) for household sharing. This sync enables multiple household members to access shared content across their devices.
4. Firebase Authentication
Fold uses Firebase Authentication to manage user accounts. You can sign in using one of the following methods:
- Sign in with Apple: Apple provides Fold with a unique user identifier and, optionally, your email address (or an Apple-generated relay email). Your Apple ID password is never shared with Fold or Firebase.
- Google Sign-In: Google provides Fold with your Google account email address, display name, and a unique user identifier. Your Google password is never shared with Fold.
Data Collected by Firebase Authentication
When you sign in, Firebase Authentication collects and stores the following on Google's servers:
- A unique user ID (generated by Firebase)
- Authentication tokens (used to verify your identity)
- Email address (if provided by your sign-in method)
- Display name (if provided by your sign-in method)
- Sign-in provider information (Apple or Google)
- Account creation and last sign-in timestamps
This data is necessary to authenticate your identity, secure your account, and enable household sharing with other members. We do not use this data for any other purpose.
5. Household Sharing (Pro)
If you subscribe to Fold Pro and create a shared household, you can invite other people to join using an invite code system. When you share a household:
- Invite codes are generated and stored in Firebase Firestore to facilitate household joining
- Shared data (events, tasks, grocery lists, chat messages, etc.) is synced through Firebase Firestore and becomes accessible to all household members
- You (the household owner) control who can join and can remove members at any time
- Household members can leave at any time
6. Data We Do NOT Collect
To be explicit, Fold does not collect:
- Your location or GPS data
- Your contacts or files (beyond what you explicitly add to the app)
- Device identifiers, advertising IDs, or fingerprints
- Usage analytics or behavioral data (usage tracking is local to your device only)
- Crash reports
- Any data for advertising or marketing purposes
7. Apple Watch
Fold includes an Apple Watch companion app (Pro feature). The Watch app communicates with the iPhone app using Apple's WatchConnectivity framework to sync events, tasks, and grocery lists. This communication happens locally between your paired devices — no data is sent to external servers.
8. Notifications
Fold uses local notifications for event reminders, task due dates, chat message alerts, and other time-sensitive notifications. These notifications are generated entirely on your device. We do not use push notification servers or collect notification tokens.
9. Subscriptions & Payments
Fold offers optional Pro subscriptions (weekly, monthly, and yearly) managed entirely through Apple's App Store and StoreKit framework. We:
- Do not process payments directly — all transactions go through Apple
- Do not have access to your payment method, credit card number, or billing address
- Only receive a cryptographic receipt from Apple confirming whether you have an active subscription
- Do not store subscription receipts on any server
10. Device Permissions
Fold may request the following device permissions, all of which are optional:
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Notifications | Event reminders, task due date alerts, and chat notifications |
You can revoke any permission at any time through your device's Settings app. The app will continue to function with reduced functionality.
11. Third-Party Services
Fold uses the following third-party services:
- Firebase Authentication (Google): For user sign-in and account management. Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
- Firebase Firestore (Google): For cloud data storage and household sync (Pro users only). Governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
- Sign in with Apple (Apple): For authentication. Governed by Apple's Privacy Policy.
- App Store / StoreKit (Apple): For subscription management. Governed by Apple's App Store terms.
- WatchConnectivity (Apple): For iPhone-Watch communication. Local only.
Fold does not integrate any third-party analytics, advertising networks, social media SDKs, or crash reporting tools.
12. Data Retention & Deletion
You have full control over your data at all times:
- Delete individual items: Delete any event, task, grocery item, message, or other content within the app
- Delete a household: Removes all associated shared data from Firebase Firestore for all members
- Leave a household: Removes your access to shared data
- Delete the app: Removes all local data from your device
- Delete your account: You can request deletion of your Firebase Authentication account and all associated Firestore data by contacting us at nadir.aktan@hotmail.com
Free users' data exists only on their device. Deleting the app removes all data permanently. Pro users' cloud data stored in Firebase Firestore will be deleted upon account deletion request.
13. Children's Privacy
Fold is designed as a family app and may be used by household members of all ages, including children under 13. Children under 13 should only use the app as members of a household managed by a parent or legal guardian who has created the account and manages authentication. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
Parents can manage their child's access by controlling household membership.
14. International Users
Fold is available worldwide. Free users' data never leaves their device. Pro users' data is stored in Firebase Firestore, which is hosted on Google Cloud infrastructure. Google may process and store this data in data centers located in various countries. By using Fold Pro and enabling cloud sync, you consent to the transfer and processing of your data by Google in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy. Google complies with applicable data protection frameworks for international data transfers.
15. Security
Your data security is ensured through:
- Firebase security: Data in transit between your device and Firebase is encrypted via TLS. Data at rest in Firestore is encrypted by Google.
- Firebase Authentication: Secure token-based authentication ensures only authorized users can access household data
- Firestore Security Rules: Server-side rules restrict data access to authenticated household members only
- Device-level security: Data on your device is protected by iOS encryption and your device passcode/biometrics
16. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the app or legal requirements. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
- For significant changes, we may notify you through the app
- Continued use of Fold after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
17. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how Fold handles your data, please contact us:
Email: nadir.aktan@hotmail.com