Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 6, 2024

1. Introduction

Budgie ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service"). We are a privacy-first financial tracking application that operates on an offline-first basis, meaning your financial data stays on your device.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Information Stored Locally on Your Device

The following data is stored exclusively on your device and is never transmitted to our servers unless you explicitly enable optional cloud features:

Financial transactions and expense records
Account balances and banking information (if bank sync is enabled)
Budget settings and categories
Investment portfolio data (stocks and cryptocurrency holdings)
Debt and loan information
Financial goals and targets
AI chat conversations and financial insights

2.2 Information We May Collect

With your explicit consent, we may collect the following minimal information:

Anonymous usage analytics (e.g., feature usage patterns, crash reports) - opt-in only
Device information (type, operating system version) for debugging purposes
Authentication tokens for optional bank sync services (stored securely in device keychain)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the limited information we collect to:

Provide and maintain the Service
Improve and optimize app performance
Identify and fix bugs and technical issues
Facilitate optional bank synchronization (with your explicit consent)
Provide customer support
Send important updates about the Service (security notices, policy changes)

We do NOT use your financial data for advertising, profiling, or any commercial purposes beyond providing the Service to you.

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Local Storage

All your financial data is stored locally on your device using industry-standard encryption. We utilize device-level security features including:

Encrypted local database storage
Secure keychain/keystore for sensitive credentials
Device biometric authentication support

4.2 Third-Party Services

When you opt into optional features, we may use the following trusted third-party services:

Bank sync providers (only with your explicit authorization)
Market data providers for investment pricing
Cloud AI services (only when you enable cloud-assisted AI features)
Analytics services (anonymous, opt-in only)

These services have their own privacy policies, and we carefully select partners who meet our high privacy standards.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share limited information only in the following circumstances:

With your explicit consent
To comply with legal obligations (e.g., court orders, regulatory requirements)
To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public
With service providers who assist in operating the Service (bound by strict confidentiality agreements)
In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified)

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

Access: Your data is always accessible within the app
Correction: You can edit or correct your data at any time
Deletion: You can delete your data by uninstalling the app or using the in-app data deletion feature
Portability: Export your data in CSV format at any time
Opt-out: Disable analytics and optional cloud features in app settings
Revoke consent: Disconnect bank sync or disable cloud AI at any time

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

8. International Data Transfers

Since your financial data is stored locally on your device, international data transfers are minimal. However, if you use optional cloud features, your data may be processed in countries where our service providers operate. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in compliance with applicable data protection laws including GDPR and CCPA.

9. Data Retention

Your financial data remains on your device until you choose to delete it. If you use optional cloud features, we retain your data only as long as necessary to provide the Service or as required by law. Anonymous analytics data may be retained indefinitely in aggregated form.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we will provide prominent notice within the app. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Budgie
Email: privacy@budgie.at
Website: https://budgie.at

12. Legal Framework Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - European Union
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) - United States
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) - Canada
Other applicable data protection and privacy laws