1. Introduction

Welcome to BookShelf, a reading management application designed to help you track your reading progress, manage your book library, and enhance your reading experience. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

By using BookShelf, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, do not download, register with, or use this application.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Account Information: Email address for subscription management through RevenueCat
• Google Account Information: When you choose to use Google Drive backup features, we access your Google account email and Drive storage
• Reading Data: Books in your library, reading progress, reading sessions, notes, and reading goals
• Subscription Information: Premium subscription status and purchase history managed through RevenueCat

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

Data Type	Purpose	Third Party
Advertising ID	Personalized ads for non-premium users	Google Mobile Ads
App Usage Analytics	Subscription management and analytics	RevenueCat
Book Search Queries	Book search and discovery functionality	Google Books API

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Core App Functionality: Managing your book library, tracking reading progress, and storing reading sessions
• Book Search: Providing book search and discovery through Google Books API
• Premium Features: Providing subscription-based features like unlimited themes, ad-free experience, and cloud sync
• Cloud Backup: Syncing your data to Google Drive when you enable this feature
• Advertising: Displaying relevant ads to non-premium users (ads appear every 20 minutes)
• Customer Support: Responding to your inquiries and providing technical support
• App Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to improve app performance and user experience

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Local Storage

Most of your data is stored locally on your device using secure AsyncStorage, including:

• Book library and reading progress
• Reading sessions and notes
• App preferences and settings
• Theme selections and customizations

4.2 Cloud Storage

4.3 Security Measures

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information:

• Data encryption for sensitive information
• Secure API communications with HTTPS
• Limited data access on a need-to-know basis
• Regular security audits and updates

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 RevenueCat (Subscription Management)

We use RevenueCat to manage premium subscriptions. RevenueCat may collect:

• Purchase information and subscription status
• Device identifiers for subscription validation
• Basic analytics for subscription performance

RevenueCat's Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy

5.2 Google Mobile Ads

Non-premium users see advertisements provided by Google Mobile Ads. Our app is configured for COPPA compliance with non-personalized ads only. Google may collect:

• Limited device information for non-personalized ad serving
• Basic app usage data (non-personalized)
• No location data or personalized advertising identifiers

All advertisements are rated G (General Audiences) and are appropriate for all ages. Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

5.3 Google Books API

We use Google Books API to provide book search functionality. When you search for books, we send your search queries to Google Books API to retrieve book information including:

• Book titles, authors, and descriptions
• Book cover images and publication details
• ISBN and other book identifiers

Your search queries are cached locally for improved performance but are also sent to Google's servers. Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

5.4 Google Drive (Optional)

When you enable cloud backup, we access Google Drive to:

• Store encrypted backup files of your reading data
• Retrieve backup files for data restoration

We only access files created by our app and cannot access other files in your Google Drive.

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties except in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third parties who assist in app operation (RevenueCat, Google Mobile Ads, Google Books API, Google Drive)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights and safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• Consent: With your explicit consent for specific purposes

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Data Access and Control

• Access: View all your data within the app
• Export: Export your reading data as a backup file
• Delete: Remove specific books, sessions, or notes
• Account Deletion: Contact us to delete your account and associated data

7.2 Advertising Choices

• Ad-Free Experience: Subscribe to premium to remove all advertisements
• Ad Personalization: Manage ad preferences through your device settings
• Opt-Out: Use device-level advertising opt-out options

7.3 Cloud Backup Control

• Enable or disable Google Drive backup at any time
• Delete backup files from your Google Drive
• Revoke app access to Google Drive through Google account settings

8. Children's Privacy

BookShelf is designed to be safe for users of all ages and complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Our app:

• Uses only non-personalized advertisements rated G (General Audiences)
• Does not collect personal information from children under 13
• Does not use behavioral advertising or tracking for users under 18
• Configures all ad services with child-directed treatment enabled

If you are a parent or guardian and have concerns about your child's use of our app, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Local Data: Stored until you delete the app or manually clear data
• Search Cache: Book search queries cached locally for 10 hours for performance
• Subscription Data: Retained by RevenueCat according to their retention policy
• Cloud Backups: Stored in your Google Drive until you delete them
• Google Books API: Search queries processed by Google according to their data retention policy
• Support Data: Deleted after resolving your inquiry or after 2 years

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date
• Sending a notification for significant changes

Your continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

13. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Union, our legal basis for processing personal information includes:

• Consent: For optional features like cloud backup and personalized ads
• Contract Performance: For providing core app functionality, book search, and premium features
• Legitimate Interest: For app improvement, security purposes, and search functionality
• Legal Obligation: For compliance with applicable laws