CleanDupes Pro

Privacy Policy for CleanDupes Pro

Effective Date: January 23, 2026 · Version 1.1

This privacy policy explains how CleanDupes Pro ("the App", "we", "us") handles information when you use our mobile application. CleanDupes Pro is developed and operated by Kevin Merz.

1. Overview

CleanDupes Pro is a storage cleaner and organizer app that helps you find and remove duplicate photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events. The App is designed with privacy as a core principle:

• No user accounts required - The app works entirely without registration
• No cloud storage - All your data is stored and processed locally on your device only
• No analytics or tracking - We do not collect any usage data or behavioral information
• No advertising - The app contains no ads and no advertising SDKs
• On-device processing - All duplicate detection and analysis happens locally

2. Data Collection

CleanDupes Pro does not collect any personal data. The app operates entirely on your device:

• No analytics tracking - We do not track your behavior, usage patterns, or app interactions
• No advertising identifiers - We do not collect IDFA, GAID, or similar identifiers
• No server-side storage - Your photos, contacts, calendar data, and files never leave your device
• No account required - You can use the app without creating an account or providing personal information
• No location data - We do not access or collect your location

3. Device Permissions

CleanDupes Pro requires certain permissions to function. All data accessed through these permissions is processed locally and never transmitted externally:

3.1 Photo Library (Required for photo/video features)

• What: Access to scan for duplicate photos, videos, and screenshots
• Processing: Uses MD5 hashing performed entirely on your device
• Your control: We can only read, modify, and delete photos with your explicit confirmation

3.2 Contacts (Required for contact features)

• What: Access to identify and merge duplicate contacts
• Processing: Contact data is only read and modified locally
• Your control: Merges and deletions require your explicit confirmation

3.3 Calendar & Reminders (Required for calendar features)

• What: Access to find duplicate or expired events
• Processing: Calendar data stays on your device
• Your control: Deletions require your explicit confirmation

3.4 Face ID / Touch ID (Optional)

• What: Biometric authentication for the Secure Vault feature
• Processing: Biometric data is handled entirely by iOS and is never accessible to the app
• Legal basis: Explicit consent (Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR)

You can revoke any permission at any time through iOS Settings. Some features may not function without the required permissions.

4. Secure Vault Encryption

The Secure Vault feature (Premium) uses industry-standard encryption:

• AES-256-GCM encryption for all stored files
• SHA-256 hashing for passcode verification
• iOS Keychain for secure encryption key storage
• Vault contents are excluded from iCloud Backup

Your encryption keys never leave your device and are not accessible to us. If you forget your Vault passcode, we cannot recover your data.

5. Third-Party Services

CleanDupes Pro uses minimal third-party services:

5.1 RevenueCat

• Service: We use RevenueCat to manage subscriptions
• Data processed: Purchase transactions and subscription status (via Apple's App Store)
• Purpose: To verify your Premium status and restore purchases
• What RevenueCat receives: An anonymous app user ID, purchase receipts from Apple
• What RevenueCat does NOT receive: Your name, email, photos, contacts, or any personal information
• Legal basis: Contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR)
• Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy

5.2 Apple App Store

• All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store
• We do not receive or store any payment information
• Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

5.3 Third-Party Services Summary

Service	Purpose	Data Shared
RevenueCat	Subscription management	Anonymous user ID, purchase receipts
Apple App Store	Payment processing	Handled entirely by Apple

We do not use: Analytics services, crash reporting services, advertising networks, social media SDKs, or any other tracking technologies.

6. Data We Do NOT Collect

CleanDupes Pro is built on the principle of minimal data collection. We do not collect:

• Names, email addresses, or contact information
• Location data
• Device identifiers (IDFA, IDFV)
• Usage analytics or behavioral data
• Advertising data
• Crash reports (unless you share them manually via Apple)
• Any data from your camera or other apps

7. Data Storage & Retention

• App Preferences: Stored in iOS UserDefaults, deleted when you uninstall the app
• Vault Files: Encrypted and stored in the app's sandboxed Documents folder
• Thumbnail Cache: Temporary cache automatically managed by the app
• Subscription Status: Cached locally and verified with Apple's servers
• Complete deletion: Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data

8. Data Security

• All data is stored locally using Apple's secure frameworks (UserDefaults, FileManager)
• Vault data is protected by AES-256-GCM encryption
• Network communications with RevenueCat use HTTPS/TLS encryption
• We have no servers that store your personal data

9. International Data Transfers

RevenueCat may process purchase data in the United States. These transfers are protected by:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46(2)(c) GDPR)
• RevenueCat's data processing agreement

Your photos, contacts, calendar data, and vault files never leave your device and are not subject to international transfers.

10. Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have the following rights:

• Access (Art. 15): Request information about data we process - all your data is on your device, you already have full access
• Rectification (Art. 16): Correct inaccurate data - you can edit any data within the app
• Erasure (Art. 17): Request deletion of your data - uninstalling the app deletes all local data
• Restriction (Art. 18): Limit processing of your data - you can revoke permissions in iOS Settings
• Portability (Art. 20): Receive your data in a portable format - your data remains on your device under your control
• Objection (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent (Art. 7(3)): Revoke permissions at any time via iOS Settings

Since all your data is stored locally on your device, you have full control over it at all times. To exercise rights regarding RevenueCat data, contact: merzkevin@me.com

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

• We do not sell personal information
• We do not share personal information for targeted advertising
• We do not collect personal information as defined by CCPA

12. Children's Privacy

CleanDupes Pro is rated 4+ and is not specifically directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 (COPPA) or under 16 (GDPR). The app does not require any personal information to function.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The effective date at the top indicates when this policy was last revised. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using CleanDupes Pro, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the app.

These Terms constitute a legal agreement between you and Kevin Merz ("Developer", "we", "us", or "our").

2. License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

• Download and install the app on iOS devices that you own or control
• Use the app for your personal, non-commercial purposes

This license is also subject to the Apple App Store Terms of Service.

3. Subscriptions & Purchases

Available Plans:

• Free Tier: Includes duplicate photo scanning, screenshot cleanup, contact duplicate finder, calendar cleanup, and storage dashboard
• Premium Weekly: €5.99/week - All premium features with a 3-day free trial
• Premium Monthly: €12.99/month - All premium features (saves 46% vs. weekly)
• Premium Annual: €49.99/year - All premium features (saves 84% vs. weekly) - Recommended
• Family Plan: €69.99/year - Premium access for up to 6 family members via iCloud Family Sharing
• Premium Lifetime: €99.99 one-time payment - Permanent access to all premium features and future updates

Premium Features Include:

• Video compression
• Secure vault
• Large file finder
• Device health checks
• Priority support

Auto-Renewal Terms (Weekly, Monthly, Annual & Family Subscriptions):

• Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase
• Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period
• Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the same price
• You can manage and cancel your subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings
• Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription

Refunds: All purchases are processed by Apple. Refund requests must be submitted to Apple directly through reportaproblem.apple.com. We do not have the ability to process refunds.

4. User Responsibilities

You are solely responsible for:

• Creating backups of all important photos, videos, contacts, and calendar data before using any cleanup or deletion features
• Carefully reviewing all items before confirming deletion - the app suggests potential duplicates, but the final decision and responsibility is entirely yours
• Keeping your device passcode and Vault passcode secure and confidential
• Understanding that certain deleted data (contacts, calendar events) may be permanently removed immediately and cannot be recovered
• Ensuring you have the legal right to modify or delete the data you choose to affect

5. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of the app
• Modify, adapt, or create derivative works based on the app
• Remove, alter, or obscure any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices
• Use the app for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws
• Circumvent any technological measures designed to control access to the app
• Share your subscription or allow others to access premium features through your account

6. Intellectual Property

CleanDupes Pro, including its design, features, code, graphics, and content, is owned by Kevin Merz and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved.

You retain all ownership rights to your personal data (photos, contacts, etc.). We claim no ownership or rights to your content.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

We do not warrant that:

• The app will meet your specific requirements
• The app will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• The duplicate detection will be 100% accurate
• Any errors in the app will be corrected

Data Deletion Notice:

• Deleted photos and videos are moved to your device's "Recently Deleted" folder and can be recovered for up to 30 days
• Deleted contacts and calendar events may be permanently and immediately removed with no recovery option
• Merged contacts combine data - original separate entries are permanently modified

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE DEVELOPER BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

This explicitly includes, but is not limited to:

• Loss or corruption of photos, videos, contacts, calendar events, files, or any other data
• Accidental deletion of items that were not duplicates
• Data that cannot be recovered after deletion
• Damages resulting from errors in duplicate detection
• Lost memories, sentimental value, or emotional distress from data loss
• Any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the app
• Loss of Vault data due to forgotten passcode

By using CleanDupes Pro, you acknowledge that you use the app entirely at your own risk and accept full responsibility for all data modifications, merges, and deletions you perform.

In jurisdictions that do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Kevin Merz from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in any way connected with:

• Your use or misuse of the app
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of any third party
• Any data loss or damage resulting from your use of the app

10. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the app at any time, without notice, for conduct that we believe:

• Violates these Terms
• Is harmful to other users, us, or third parties
• Is fraudulent or illegal

Upon termination, your license to use the app is immediately revoked. Sections regarding Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Governing Law shall survive termination.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this document. Your continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the app and uninstall it from your device.

12. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Germany, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the app shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Germany.

For EU consumers: You may also be entitled to use the European Online Dispute Resolution platform at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

13. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Kevin Merz regarding the use of CleanDupes Pro and supersede any prior agreements.

15. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations where such failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, strikes, or shortages of transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

16. Apple-Specific Terms

These Terms are between you and Kevin Merz only, not with Apple. Apple is not responsible for the app or its content. Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support for the app. In the event of any failure of the app to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple for a refund of the purchase price (if any); Apple has no other warranty obligation. Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims relating to the app or your use of it. Apple is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms and may enforce them against you.