Privacy Policy — Study Bud

Last updated: September 4, 2026

1. Who we are

Study Bud is an AI-powered study companion app for iPhone and iPad. This policy explains what data the app collects, how it's used, and who it's shared with.

2. Data we collect

2.1 Account data

Email and password when you create an account. Your password is stored as a bcrypt hash — we never store or can read your actual password.

2.2 Your study library — stays on your device

Everything you build while studying — subjects, folders, lessons, notes, flashcards, exams, imported files, and your progress — is stored only in local storage on your device. It is never uploaded to our servers, with one exception you control: if you use the optional Backup feature, an encrypted copy is saved to a location you choose (e.g. Files app, iCloud Drive) — we never see or receive that file.

2.3 Content you send to AI features

When you use an AI feature (Ask Bud, Summarize, Explain, or generating flashcards/quizzes/exams/a study plan), the text involved — your question, or the study material you're asking about — is sent to our server, which forwards it to our AI provider (OpenAI) to generate a response. Under OpenAI's API terms, that content is not used to train their models. We keep a record of that request (including the text sent) on our server as part of processing your Credit usage. We do not currently automatically delete this content after a request completes; we plan to add an automatic retention/redaction window before general public launch.

We do not use this content for advertising, and it is never sold.

2.4 Device and technical data

• A random installation identifier, device platform (iOS/Android), and app version — used to prevent abuse of the one-time free Credit grant and, if you enable notifications, to deliver push notifications.
• Standard server logs (IP address, request timestamps) kept for security and debugging.

2.5 Credits and purchases

We keep a record of your Credit balance, an itemized history of how Credits were earned or spent, and — if you buy a Credit package — the Apple transaction ID used to verify and grant the purchase.

We never see, receive, or store your payment card details. All payment is handled entirely by Apple's In-App Purchase system; we only receive a signed confirmation that a purchase happened.

2.6 What we do NOT collect

We do not use any third-party analytics or advertising SDKs, do not track your location, and do not build an advertising profile of you.

3. How we use your data

• To operate your account, sign you in, and keep your Credit balance and purchase history accurate.
• To run the AI features you ask for.
• To detect and prevent abuse (e.g. the same device claiming the free Credit grant more than once).
• To send you push notifications, only if you've enabled them.

4. Who we share data with

• OpenAI (API) processes the text you submit to AI features, as described in 2.3, solely to generate the response you asked for; it is not used to train their models.
• Apple processes all payments for Credit purchases and verifies transactions; we never receive your card details.
• Railway (our hosting provider) hosts our servers and database.
• We do not sell your data to anyone, and do not share it with advertisers.

5. Data retention and deletion

• Your local study library is deleted the moment you delete the app, or you can delete individual items at any time from within the app.
• You can delete your account at any time from Settings → Delete Account. This removes your email and login access immediately; Credit/purchase/AI-request records are kept in de-identified form for accounting and fraud-prevention purposes rather than hard-deleted, the same way an immutable financial ledger works.

6. Children's privacy

Study Bud is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.

7. Changes to this policy

We'll update the "Last updated" date above whenever this policy changes. Continued use of the app after a change means you accept the updated policy.

8. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Contact us at aa.apptech@gmail.com.