Privacy Policy
SnailRead is built to keep your reading private. Your books, highlights, notes, and reading progress live on your devices and sync through your private Apple iCloud — they do not pass through our servers. We only store what's needed to run your account and your subscription, and we only send content to AI providers when you actively trigger an AI action.
Data Controller
Yevhen Lebediev, a private entrepreneur (ФОП) registered in Ukraine, individual tax identification number XXXXXXXXXX, trading under the brand name Startpoint. References to "we," "us," or "Startpoint" in this policy mean this individual entrepreneur, acting as the data controller for the limited account data described below.
Contact: hello@startpoint.dev (general / privacy requests) · support@startpoint.dev (app support).
What this policy covers
This policy describes the data SnailRead collects, why it's collected, who it's shared with, and the choices you have. It applies to the SnailRead app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and to this website at snailread.startpoint.dev.
Data we do not collect
By design, SnailRead never receives a copy of:
- The PDFs and EPUBs in your library
- Your highlights, notes, and bookmarks
- Your reading progress, time spent reading, or session activity
- Any analytics tied to what you read or how often you read
These stay on your Apple devices and sync between them through your private iCloud account, end-to-end under Apple's control. We have no access to them.
Data we do collect
Account identifier
When you sign in with Sign in with Apple, we receive an Apple-issued user identifier and (optionally) the relay email address you choose. We use it solely to identify your account, gate paid features, and let you recover access on a new device. We do not receive your real Apple ID.
Subscription state
If you subscribe to Plus, AI, or AI Pro, the App Store handles billing. We use RevenueCat to receive subscription status events (active, renewed, cancelled, refunded) tied to your account identifier. This lets the app unlock the right features for you and recover your purchases. RevenueCat is a processor acting on our behalf; their privacy policy is at revenuecat.com/privacy.
AI usage
If you use AI features (summaries, recaps, ask-the-book), we keep a usage log: timestamp, the model used, and how many credits were charged. We do not retain the prompts or responses. The log exists so you can audit your own credit balance and so we can investigate abuse.
Diagnostics
We collect anonymized crash reports and high-level performance signals through Apple's standard reporting (App Store Connect). These are tied to a device, not your identity, and we never receive personally identifiable content from inside the app.
AI features and third-party providers
SnailRead's AI features run on leading models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google. When you trigger an AI action:
- The prompt and the relevant excerpt of the book or your notes are sent to the selected provider over an encrypted connection.
- The provider returns a response, which is shown to you in the app.
- Providers act as our processors and, per our agreements, do not train their models on this content.
- SnailRead does not store the prompt, the excerpt, or the response after the request completes.
The app does not stream your library to any AI provider in the background. Nothing leaves your device unless you tap a button that triggers an AI action.
iCloud sync
SnailRead uses Apple iCloud (CloudKit / iCloud Drive) to sync your library, annotations, and reading progress between your devices. iCloud is administered by Apple under their terms; the data is stored in your personal iCloud space and is not visible to Startpoint. You can disable iCloud sync for SnailRead at any time in iOS / macOS Settings → Apple ID → iCloud.
This website
This site (snailread.startpoint.dev) is a static landing page. It sets no cookies, runs no analytics, and uses no third-party trackers. Server access logs are kept for short-term abuse prevention only.
Children's privacy
SnailRead is rated for users 4+ on the App Store, but the service is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with information, contact us and we will delete it.
Your rights
You may at any time:
- Request a copy of the data tied to your account
- Request that we correct or delete that data
- Withdraw consent and close your account, which deletes your account identifier and AI usage log within 30 days
If you are in the EU, the UK, California, or any other jurisdiction with applicable data-protection laws, those laws give you additional rights (including the right to lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority). Contact support@startpoint.dev to exercise any of these rights.
Data retention
Account identifier and subscription state are retained for as long as your account is active, plus the period required by tax and accounting law (typically up to 7 years). AI usage logs are retained for 90 days. Crash reports follow Apple's retention schedule.
Security
All traffic to our servers uses TLS. Account state is stored in an encrypted database with access limited to the service's runtime. We do not store payment card details — Apple does.
Changes to this policy
If we make material changes to this policy, we will update the effective date above and, where appropriate, notify you in the app or by email. Continued use of SnailRead after the effective date means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions or requests: support@startpoint.dev.