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Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

1. Who we are

BookShelf is a personal PDF reader developed and maintained by Heyson Betancourt Robles. If you have any questions about this policy, contact us at heysonbrdev@gmail.com.

2. The short version

  • The app works 100% offline with no account required.
  • We do not collect analytics, crash reports, or behavioural data.
  • We do not show ads or sell your data.
  • Signing in is completely optional and only needed for cloud sync.
  • If you never sign in, no data ever leaves your device.

3. Data we collect

Without an account (offline mode)

Everything stays on your device: PDF files, reading progress, bookmarks, annotations, reading lists, categories, reading stats, and app preferences. We collect nothing. No data leaves your device.

With an account (optional cloud sync)

If you choose to sign in with Google, the following data is synced to our servers:

  • Identity: a user ID generated by our backend; your email address (shown in Settings only, not stored in our database).
  • Library metadata: file name, title, current page, reading progress, favorites, last read timestamp.
  • Bookmarks & annotations: page numbers, note content, colors, timestamps.
  • Reading sessions: start/end times, pages read, duration.
  • Reading lists & categories: names, icons, colors, book lists.
  • Your PDF files are uploaded to our secure storage so you can access them from other devices.
  • Account info: premium plan status and storage used.

We do not collect location, contacts, camera, microphone, biometric data, or advertising identifiers. BookShelf contains no analytics SDKs, no crash reporting services, and no advertising networks of any kind.

4. How we use your data

Synced data is used exclusively to keep your library, progress, bookmarks, and notes in sync across devices, and to store and restore your PDF files when you switch devices. We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or any other purpose.

5. Third-party services

  • Google Sign-In — used for authentication only. Google knows you signed in with BookShelf. We receive your user ID, email, and profile name to create your session. google.com/policies/privacy
  • Appwrite (hosted at api.getbookshelf.app) — our own backend server that stores the synced library data and PDF files. appwrite.io/privacy

That is the complete list. No Firebase, no Mixpanel, no Amplitude, no advertising SDKs, no third-party analytics of any kind.

6. Your rights and choices

  • Use without an account. BookShelf is fully functional offline — no data leaves your device.
  • Sign out at any time from Settings to stop all sync immediately.
  • Delete your account from Settings → Account → Delete account.
  • Request data deletion by emailing heysonbrdev@gmail.com with subject: Delete account - BookShelf.

We will respond within 30 days. Full deletion from our servers will be completed within 30 days of the request.

7. Data retention

We retain synced data while your account is active. When you delete your account, all your personal data is removed from our servers within 30 days. Local data on your device is not affected.

8. Children's privacy

BookShelf is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Contact us at heysonbrdev@gmail.com if you believe a child has provided data.

9. Security

All data is transmitted over HTTPS/TLS. Local data is stored in a SQLite database protected by your device's own security. In the event of a breach, we will notify affected users in accordance with applicable regulations.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page will always reflect the latest version.

11. Contact

For any privacy-related questions: heysonbrdev@gmail.com

12. Account & Data Deletion Request

You have the right to request the complete deletion of your account and all associated data. Once processed:

  • Your account will be deactivated immediately.
  • All synced data (library metadata, bookmarks, annotations, reading sessions, lists) will be deleted from our servers within 30 days.
  • Your PDF files stored in the cloud will be removed from our servers.
  • No data can be recovered once the deletion is complete.
  • Your local data on the device is not affected — it remains until you uninstall the app.

How to request deletion?

  1. 1 Open the app → Settings → Account → Delete account (this immediately deactivates your account).
  2. 2 Or send an email to heysonbrdev@gmail.com with the subject: Delete account - BookShelf
  3. 3 Include the email address you used to sign in.
  4. 4 You will receive confirmation within 72 hours. Full deletion completed within 30 days.
Send deletion request

If you uninstall the app without deleting your account first, your data remains on our servers until you request deletion via email.