1. Who we are

Bookwala is operated by Archstone Solutions Inc. ("we", "us", "our"). If you have questions about this policy, you can contact us at privacy@bookwala.ca.

2. Anonymous use and signed-in accounts

You can use Bookwala without creating an account. In anonymous mode, all your data (books, ratings, reviews, notes) is stored locally on your device only. If you uninstall the app, reset your device, or clear app data, this information cannot be recovered. We have no copy of it on our servers.

If you choose to sign in with Apple or Google, your library is synced to our servers, which allows you to access it across multiple devices and protects your data if you lose your phone.

3. Information we collect

We collect the minimum data required to provide the service:

• Account information (signed-in users only): When you sign in with Apple or Google, we receive a unique user identifier and your name and email address. We do not receive your password.
• Library data: Books you add, ratings, reviews, reading history, and location tags. For signed-in users, this data is synced to our servers.
• Private notes: Notes you mark as private are stored on our servers for signed-in users but are never displayed to other users or used in public-facing features.
• Reviews and public content: Reviews you write may be visible to other users in social and discovery features. See Section 5 for details.
• Usage data: We collect anonymous crash reports and basic usage analytics (e.g. app version, device OS) to improve the app. This data is not linked to your identity.
• Push Tokens: Note that device tokens are collected strictly to route opted-in notifications.

4. Information we do not collect

• We do not collect your precise location.
• We do not access your contacts, photos, or camera beyond what is needed to scan book barcodes.
• We do not collect payment card details — purchases are handled entirely by Apple or Google.
• We do not build advertising profiles.

5. How we use your information

• To provide, operate, and improve the Bookwala app.
• To sync your library across your devices (signed-in users only).
• To generate anonymised, aggregated recommendations and discovery features (e.g. "readers who liked this also read…"). This analysis uses anonymised data and does not expose individual reading histories to other users.
• To power current and future community features, including displaying user reviews to other users, social reading feeds, shared collections, and in-app messaging or chat (where applicable).
• To respond to support requests.
• To detect and fix crashes and bugs.

We do not use your data for advertising or sell it to third parties.

6. Data sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share or expose data in the following ways:

• Other Bookwala users: Reviews you write may be visible to other users as part of current or future community and discovery features. Private notes are never shared with other users. Future social features (such as friend feeds, shared collections, and in-app chat) will require us to store and display content you choose to share within those features.
• Anonymised aggregates: We may use and share aggregated, anonymised reading and rating data (e.g. "most-read genres this month") to improve the app and power recommendations. This data cannot be used to identify individual users.
• Supabase: Database and authentication hosting (US servers, SOC 2 Type II certified).
• Resend: Transactional email routing (e.g., password reset requests).
• Firebase Cloud Messaging / Apple Push Notification service: Routing push notifications to your device via anonymous device tokens.
• Sentry: Crash reporting. Only anonymous device and error data is shared — no personally identifiable information.
• Apple / Google: Sign-in is handled by Apple or Google's authentication services under their own privacy policies.
• Affiliate Links & External Services: Bookwala contains referral links to third-party book retailers. If you click a link and purchase a book, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Clicking these links redirects you to third-party websites operating under their own privacy policies. We do not share your personal account data or reading history with these retailers.
• Law enforcement: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of users.

7. Data retention

Anonymous users: Your data exists only on your device. We have no copy and cannot recover it if you uninstall the app or reset your device.

Signed-in users: You can permanently delete your account and associated data directly within the app under Settings -> Account -> Delete Account, or by contacting privacy@bookwala.ca. Account deletion immediately purges your personal library, reviews, and profile data from our primary servers.

Anonymised crash and analytics data may be retained for up to 12 months.

8. Your rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Request deletion of your data (right to erasure).
• Export your library data in a portable format (JSON or CSV) directly from the app.
• Opt out of crash analytics (available in app settings).

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@bookwala.ca.

9. Children's privacy

Bookwala is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via an in-app notice or by updating the effective date above. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact

Questions about this privacy policy? Email us at privacy@bookwala.ca.

Archstone Solutions Inc.