Retrace Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 28, 2026

This app respects your privacy. This policy explains what data Retrace collects, why, and how it is stored. Retrace does not require you to create an account — there is no sign-up, login, or password anywhere in the app.

1. Location Data

Retrace's core feature is automatically recording your activities, routes, and time spent at places. To do this, the app requests continuous access to your location, including while the app is in the background.

  • Your recorded activities, routes, and location history are processed and stored locally on your device, in the app's own database.
  • To help us diagnose bugs and improve automatic activity detection, the app automatically uploads a rolling window of your most recent location and activity data (GPS points, trips, visits) to our diagnostics server. This runs in the background as part of normal app operation.
  • We do not sell your location data, and we do not share it with third parties for advertising.

2. Health Data (Apple Health / HealthKit)

With your permission, Retrace reads the following data types from Apple Health: sleep analysis, step count, heart rate and heart rate variability, workouts (type, distance, calories), and workout routes.

  • Retrace's access to Apple Health is read-only — the app never writes data back to Apple Health.
  • Health data is used only to display your sleep and workout history alongside your location timeline inside the app. It stays on your device, is never uploaded to our servers, and is never shared with third parties or used for advertising.
  • You can review or revoke Retrace's access to Apple Health at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Health.

3. Analytics

Retrace uses PostHog and Aptabase to understand which features are used, so we can improve the app.

  • Analytics events are tied to an anonymous, randomly generated identifier — never your name, email, or Apple ID.
  • Analytics events do not include your raw location, GPS coordinates, or health metrics.

4. Subscriptions & Purchases

Subscription purchases are processed by RevenueCat and Apple. Since Retrace has no account system, purchases are linked to the same anonymous device identifier used for analytics — not to your name or email.

5. Third-Party AI Services

Retrace uses Google Gemini, a third-party AI service provided by Google LLC, to power the following optional features:

(a) Scan Image (Plant Identification): When you use this feature, the photo you capture or select is sent to Google Gemini's servers for object identification. Only the photo is transmitted; no other personal data is included.
(b) Timeline Image (Image Story Generation): When you use this feature, your timeline summary text for the selected date is sent to Google Gemini's servers to generate a visual image. Only the timeline text is transmitted; no other personal data is included.

Important details about these AI features:

  • Explicit consent required: The app will ask for your permission before sending any data to Google Gemini. You must tap "I Agree" on the consent alert before any data is transmitted. You may decline, and the feature will not be used.
  • No data storage by Retrace: Retrace does not store, retain, or log any data sent to or received from Google Gemini on its own servers.
  • No AI training: Your data is not used by Retrace for AI model training purposes.
  • Google's data handling: Data sent to Google Gemini is processed in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy and Google's Generative AI Terms. Google provides that Gemini API data is not used to train their models.
  • Data minimization: Only the minimum data required for each feature is transmitted — a single photo for identification, or a text summary for image generation.

6. Optional iCloud Backup

If you are a Pro subscriber, you may optionally back up your local Retrace database to your own iCloud account. This backup is only created when you choose to start one, and it is stored in your personal iCloud storage — Retrace's developers cannot access it.

7. Data Retention & Deletion

Your activity, route, and health-derived data lives in the app's local database on your device and is deleted if you delete the app. To request deletion of diagnostic data already uploaded to our servers, contact us using the details below.

8. Children's Privacy

Retrace is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

If we make material changes to this policy, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the app.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at samsong30000@gmail.com.

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