Last Updated: January 2025 | Effective Date: January 2025
TL;DR: PodCE collects zero personal data. Everything stays on your device. No servers, no tracking, no cloud sync, no analytics. Your continuing education journey is completely private.
Introduction
PodCE is designed with privacy as a core principle. Unlike most apps, PodCE does not require user accounts, does not sync data to the cloud, and does not track your activity. All your listening history, CE credits, subscriptions, and personal data stay on your device - always.
Information We Collect
Data Stored Locally on Your Device
PodCE stores the following information exclusively on your iPhone or iPad using Apple's SwiftData framework:
- Podcast Subscriptions: Show titles, authors, descriptions, artwork URLs, episode metadata, RSS feed URLs
- Listening History: Listening sessions with start/end times, duration, playback position, completion status
- CE Activity Tracking: Manual CE activities, goals, deadlines, progress tracking, attachments
- App Settings: Appearance preferences, playback settings, queue state, notification preferences
Important: This data is never transmitted to our servers, never synced to cloud storage, and never shared with third parties. It exists only in your device's local storage.
Data PodCE Does NOT Collect
- No user accounts (no email, password, name, or profile)
- No analytics or usage tracking
- No advertising identifiers (IDFA)
- No location data
- No contact information
- No behavioral tracking or session recordings
- No crash reporting services
How We Use Your Information
All information PodCE collects is used locally on your device to provide app functionality:
- Podcast Playback: Store subscriptions, remember playback position, track listening sessions
- CE Credit Tracking: Calculate hours, generate reports (CSV/PDF), track manual activities, monitor goal progress
- App Experience: Restore queue and settings, maintain preferences, cache artwork
No Server Processing: PodCE does not send your data to servers for processing, analysis, or storage. All calculations and reports are generated entirely on your device.
Data Storage & Security
Your data is stored in your device's local storage using:
- SwiftData: Apple's native persistence framework with built-in encryption when device encryption is enabled
- App Sandbox: Isolated storage that prevents other apps from accessing PodCE data
Device Security Recommendations
- Enable device passcode or Face ID/Touch ID
- Enable "Data Protection" in iOS settings
- Keep iOS updated to receive security patches
- Use encrypted device backups
Data Sharing & Third Parties
PodCE never shares your data automatically. Data only leaves your device when you explicitly choose to export or share:
- CSV/PDF Exports: When you tap "Export" and select a format
- Email Sharing: When you choose to email an export (iOS handles email)
- Sharing Episodes/Shows: Only podcast URLs (no personal data)
Third-Party Services Used
PodCE connects to these services only for essential functionality:
- Apple iTunes Search API: Search for podcasts in Discover tab
- RSS Podcast Feeds: Download episode lists when you subscribe to a show
- Episode Audio Files: Stream or download episode audio
Important: PodCE does not use any advertising networks, analytics services, social media SDKs, or other tracking third parties.
Your Rights & Controls
You have full control over your data at all times:
- Delete Individual Items: Swipe to delete sessions, activities, or episodes
- Delete All Data: Delete PodCE app to permanently remove all local data
- Export Your Data: Export sessions as CSV or professional reports as PDF
- Manage Permissions: Disable notifications, revoke photo/file access in iOS Settings
Permissions Requested
- Notifications (Optional): Notify when subscribed shows publish new episodes
- Photo Library (Optional): Attach photos to manual CE activities
- File Access (Optional): Save exported reports to Files app
- Media & Apple Music (Automatic): Required for audio playback
PodCE does NOT request: Location, Contacts, Camera, Microphone, Bluetooth, Calendar, Health data, Motion & Fitness
Children's Privacy (COPPA)
PodCE is designed for licensed professionals (typically 18+) tracking continuing education credits. However, the app does not collect personal information from users of any age.
International Users
GDPR (European Users)
PodCE respects GDPR principles even though we do not process personal data on servers. You have rights to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability - all exercised directly within the app.
CCPA (California Users)
- Categories of Personal Information Collected: None
- Sale of Personal Information: We do not sell personal information
- Disclosure for Business Purposes: None
Why PodCE is More Private
Traditional apps with cloud sync create privacy risks: data breaches, tracking, third-party sharing, government requests, and company changes.
PodCE eliminates these risks entirely:
- No servers = No data breaches
- No accounts = No password leaks
- No tracking = No behavioral profiles
- No sharing = No third parties
- Local only = You control everything
Your continuing education journey is personal. Your data should be too.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in privacy laws, iOS features, or app functionality. You'll be notified of privacy-impacting changes via in-app notification.
Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy:
Email: local.hood_7f@icloud.com
Subject Line: "Privacy Inquiry - PodCE iOS"
This privacy policy is effective as of January 2025 and applies to PodCE version 1.0 and later.
Document Version: 1.0 | Last Reviewed: January 2025