Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 18, 2026

Family Circles ("we", "our", or "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information.

Information We Collect

Account Information

When you sign in with Apple, we receive your Apple User ID, display name, and email address. This information is used to identify your account and enable cloud sync features.

Family Content

We store the content you create, including:

Video memories you record
Photos you add to events
Family circles and member information
Chat messages within your circles
Comments on videos and photos
Event details and photo albums

Device Information

If you enable push notifications, we store your device token to send you notifications about comments, new content, and circle activity.

How We Store Your Data

Cloud Storage

Your family content is stored on secure cloud servers (powered by Supabase) to enable cross-device access and family collaboration features. All data is encrypted in transit using HTTPS.

Video Storage

Videos you record are uploaded to secure cloud storage and converted to adaptive streaming format (HLS) to ensure smooth playback across different network conditions. Original videos are retained for quality preservation.

Photo Storage

Photos you add to events are uploaded to secure cloud storage to enable sharing with family circle members.

Third-Party Services

OpenAI

We use OpenAI's services to:

Generate video recording prompts and suggestions
Transcribe video content for accessibility
Provide AI-assisted features

When you use AI features, relevant content is sent to OpenAI for processing. We use their API with data retention disabled, meaning your content is not stored by OpenAI for model training.

Firebase Crashlytics

We use Firebase Crashlytics to collect error reports when the app crashes or encounters issues. This helps us improve app stability. Crash reports may include device information and anonymized usage data but do not include your personal content.

Apple Services

We use Apple's Sign in with Apple for secure authentication and Apple Push Notification service (APNs) to deliver notifications to your device.

Sharing & Collaboration

Family Circles is built around family collaboration. When you share content:

Only circle members you explicitly invite can view your content
You control which circles can see each video or event
Shared content is transmitted through our secure servers
You can remove circle members or change sharing settings at any time
Circle owners can manage membership and permissions

Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

All network traffic is encrypted using TLS/HTTPS
Database access is protected by Row-Level Security policies
API keys are stored server-side only
Authentication uses Apple's secure Sign in with Apple
No passwords are stored in the app
Video streaming uses signed URLs with time-limited access

Your Rights & Controls

You have full control over your data:

Delete Content: Remove videos, photos, or events you've created
Leave Circles: Remove yourself from family circles at any time
Sign Out: End your session and disconnect from cloud services
Manage Circles: Control who can see and interact with your content
Disable Notifications: Turn off push notifications in Settings
Camera & Photo Access: You can deny or revoke camera and photo library access in iOS Settings

Analytics & Tracking

Family Circles does not:

Track your behavior or usage patterns
Display advertisements
Share your data with advertisers
Use third-party analytics services
Sell your personal information

We only collect error reports to improve app stability.

Children's Privacy

Family Circles is designed for families and may include content featuring children. However, the app is not directed at children under 13 as users. Account creation requires Sign in with Apple. If you believe a child under 13 has created an account, please contact us.

Data Retention

Your family content is retained as long as you maintain an account. When you delete content through the app, it is permanently removed from our servers. Deleted content in trash is automatically purged after 30 days. Inactive accounts may be deleted after extended periods of inactivity with prior notice.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or via email. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at:

privacy@familycircles.app