Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

Tether (the "App") is an iOS application that helps you log mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) flares, foods, triggers, and medications. It is operated by the developer of the App ("we", "us", "our"). You can reach us at wbasidehustle@gmail.com.

2. The information Tether handles

Tether is built around on-device storage. Almost all information you enter or that Tether reads stays on your device. Here is exactly what is involved:

2.1 Information you enter into the App

• Flare entries, including severity, body systems affected, onset time, duration, suspected triggers, and notes you choose to write.
• Food, drink, trigger, and medication entries.
• Optional profile information you choose to provide, such as your name, date of diagnosis, conditions you track (MCAS plus any of POTS, EDS, Long COVID, Fibromyalgia, Other), saved medications, known triggers, safe foods, and emergency contact details.
• Daily wellness ratings.

This information is stored locally on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework. It is not transmitted to us or to any third party.

2.2 Apple Health data (optional, Premium feature)

If you turn on Apple Health sync, Tether requests permission to read selected health metrics — heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep, and step count — to display alongside your flares and trends. Tether reads this information directly from Apple Health on your device. It is not transmitted off your device. You can revoke access at any time in Settings → Health → Data Access & Devices → Tether.

2.3 Location (optional, Premium feature)

If you turn on weather and pollen tracking, Tether asks for "While Using" location permission. Your approximate location is used only to request weather and pollen data from the third-party service Open-Meteo. Your location is sent only for that request, is not stored by Tether on a server, and is not linked to your identity. Open-Meteo's privacy practices are described on their website. You can revoke location access at any time in Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Tether.

2.4 Camera (optional, Premium feature)

If you use the food label scanner, Tether asks for camera permission so it can read text from food labels using Apple's on-device VisionKit framework. Tether does not save photos or video, does not upload images, and does not send anything to a server. The recognized text is compared on your device against your saved trigger list.

2.5 Subscriptions

Tether Premium is sold through the Apple App Store. Apple — not Tether — processes your payment and manages your subscription. Apple shares with us only the information necessary to verify your subscription status (a transaction identifier and entitlement). We do not receive your payment information, billing address, or Apple ID.

2.6 Information we do not collect

• We do not run user accounts or sign-ins.
• We do not collect device identifiers for tracking.
• We do not use third-party analytics, advertising SDKs, or crash reporting that includes your personal data.
• We do not share, sell, rent, or trade your information with anyone.

3. How we use information

Information you enter into Tether is used only to provide the App's features to you — showing your logs, generating insights and reports, scheduling reminders, and so on. Because data stays on your device, we generally have no ability to access it.

4. Sharing and disclosure

We do not share your personal information with any third party. The only outbound data transfer Tether makes is the optional weather/pollen request to Open-Meteo described above, which contains only your approximate coordinates.

If you choose to share a generated PDF report or a data export with another person, app, or service (for example, by emailing it to your doctor), that sharing is initiated by you and Tether has no ongoing role in it.

5. Data retention and deletion

Your data lives on your device until you delete it. You can:

• Delete individual entries from the Log tab.
• Tap Delete all data in Settings → Privacy & data to permanently remove every log entry and profile detail.
• Delete the Tether app from your iPhone, which removes all of its on-device data.

Because we do not store your data on our servers, there is no separate request you need to send us to access or delete it.

6. Your rights

You have the right to access, correct, export, and delete your personal information at any time using the in-app tools described above. If you are in a jurisdiction with specific data protection laws (for example, the EU's GDPR or California's CCPA/CPRA), those rights apply automatically because Tether stores your data on your own device under your control.

7. Children's privacy

Tether is not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has used the App, please contact us so we can help.

8. Security

Tether relies on iOS's built-in security: app sandboxing, device encryption, and the protections Apple applies to HealthKit data. We recommend you keep your device passcode set and your iOS up to date. No system can be guaranteed perfectly secure, but because your data never leaves your device, the risks of large-scale breach do not apply.

9. International users

Tether is available globally through the App Store. Because your data is stored on your device, it does not cross borders unless you choose to share or export it yourself.

10. Changes to this policy

If we update this Privacy Policy, we will revise the "Effective date" at the top and post the new version at this URL. Material changes will be highlighted in the App when you next open it.

11. Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how Tether handles information, please email wbasidehustle@gmail.com.