Last updated: February 18, 2026
ember is built on a simple belief: your relationships are personal. Your data should be too. This privacy policy explains what ember does (and doesn't do) with your information.
ember stores everything on your device. We don't collect your data, we don't sell your data, and we don't have servers that hold your data. Your relationships, your photos, your patterns of connection: they live on your phone and nowhere else.
All data is stored locally on your device using Apple's native storage frameworks. This includes the names of people you add, optional photos you attach, phone numbers (if imported from your contacts), your chosen cadence for each person, timestamps of when you log connections or "thinking of them," and your app preferences (notification settings, sound/haptics toggles).
When you choose to add someone from your contacts, ember reads their name, phone number, and photo thumbnail from your device's address book. This data is stored locally within the app and is never sent anywhere. ember only accesses contacts you explicitly select — it does not scan or import your full address book.
ember does not collect personal information. We do not collect analytics, usage data, crash reports, device identifiers, IP addresses, or location data. We do not track how you use the app. We do not use cookies. We do not have user accounts. There are no servers to send data to.
If you choose to add a photo for someone, it is stored locally on your device only. Photos are compressed on save and never leave your phone. They are not uploaded anywhere.
ember uses local notifications (scheduled entirely on your device) to send gentle reminders when an ember starts to cool. These notifications are generated by the app on your phone, not sent from a server. You can disable notifications at any time in the app's settings or through your device's system settings.
ember uses Apple's StoreKit for subscriptions. When you subscribe to ember+ (monthly or annual), the transaction is handled entirely by Apple. We do not receive or store your payment information. Apple's privacy policy governs these transactions.
ember does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services. The only third-party service involved is Apple's App Store and StoreKit for processing purchases.
When you use the share or call features, ember opens your device's native share sheet or phone dialer. The content you share is sent through whatever app you choose (iMessage, WhatsApp, etc.) and is governed by that app's privacy policy. ember does not intercept, log, or store anything you share.
Since all data is stored locally on your device, you have full control over it at all times. Removing a person from ember deletes their data from the app. Uninstalling ember removes all app data from your device. There is nothing to delete on our end because we never had it.
ember is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect any information from children.
If we ever introduce cloud sync or other features that involve data leaving your device, we will update this privacy policy before those features launch and clearly explain what changes. Cloud sync, if introduced, would use Apple's iCloud/CloudKit, meaning your data would be stored in your personal iCloud account under Apple's privacy protections, not on our servers.
If you have questions about this privacy policy or how ember handles your data, you can reach us at support@sierrahotel.me.