Family Tree Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Heavenbrook Software Inc. ("we", "us", or "our") built the Family Tree app (the "App") as a free, ad-supported application. This Privacy Policy explains what information the App collects, how it is used, and your choices regarding that information.
By using the App, you agree to this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
The App can be used in two modes — Local and Cloud — and the information we collect depends on which mode you use.
a) Local Mode (no account)
You can use the App fully offline by creating Local Books. In this mode we do NOT collect any personal information. Local Books, including names, dates, biographies, photos, and any files you add, are stored only in your device's Documents folder. They never leave your device.
b) Cloud Mode (requires sign-in)
If you create or open a Cloud Book or a Public Knowledge Book, the App must store data on our server. To enable this, you sign in using one of the following methods:
- Sign in with Apple — we receive an opaque Apple user identifier and (only on first sign-in) the name and email you choose to share.
- Sign in with Google — we receive your Google account ID, display name, and profile photo URL.
- Sign in with Facebook — we receive your Facebook account ID, display name, email (if granted), and profile photo URL.
- Sign in with WeChat — we receive your WeChat unionid, nickname, and avatar URL.
- Sign in with Email — we store the email address and a hashed password you provide.
Once signed in, the following data may be stored on our server:
- Your account record (display name, email or provider identifier, profile photo URL)
- The family books and persons you create in Cloud or Public mode (names, dates, biographies, location fields, and uploaded photos)
- Your subscriptions to Public Knowledge Books
- Sharing permissions you grant to other accounts
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information you provide solely to:
- Authenticate you and keep you signed in across devices
- Store and synchronize Cloud and Shared family books that you choose to create
- Allow Public Knowledge Books to be visible to other users (only the data you publish, not your account email)
- Send service-related notifications related to sharing or account changes
We do NOT sell your personal information, and we do NOT use your family tree data for advertising or model training.
3. Local Network Access
The App includes a Wi-Fi file transfer feature that creates a temporary local web server on your device. This server operates only within your local Wi-Fi network, is active only while you explicitly use this feature, and shuts down immediately when you dismiss the transfer screen. No data is sent to external servers during this process.
4. Camera & Photo Library Access
The App requests access to your camera and Photo Library only when you choose to add a photo to a person's profile. Photos are stored locally for Local Books, or uploaded to our server for Cloud / Public Books. You can revoke camera or photo permissions at any time in iOS Settings.
5. Third-Party Services
The App uses the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy:
a) Google AdMob (Advertising)
The App may display advertisements provided by Google AdMob. AdMob may collect and use certain data to serve personalized or non-personalized ads, including device identifiers, IP address, and general usage data. For more information, see Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
b) Firebase Analytics
The App uses Firebase Analytics to collect anonymous usage statistics such as app opens, feature usage, and crash data. Firebase Analytics does not collect personally identifiable information. For more information, see: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
c) Google Sign-In
If you sign in with Google, your authentication is handled by Google's SDK. See: https://policies.google.com/privacy
d) Facebook Login
If you sign in with Facebook, authentication is handled via Facebook's web OAuth. See: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy
e) WeChat Open Platform
If you sign in with WeChat, authentication is handled by the WeChat SDK. See: https://www.tencent.com/en-us/privacy-policy.html
You can opt out of personalized advertising by adjusting your device settings: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
6. Data Storage & Deletion
- Local Books are stored on your device only and are removed when you delete the book or uninstall the App.
- Cloud Books are stored on our server and can be deleted from within the App at any time. Once deleted, the book and all its persons, photos, and shared permissions are permanently removed from our server.
- Account deletion — you can delete your entire account from Settings → Profile → Delete Account. All your Cloud Books, Public Books, photos, and personal information will be permanently removed.
The App uses UserDefaults to store non-sensitive preferences such as:
- Selected language (English or Chinese)
- Whether the onboarding screen has been shown
- Whether you are currently signed in (no password is stored in UserDefaults)
7. Children's Privacy
The App does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If a parent or guardian believes that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us so we can delete it.
8. Security
Authentication tokens are stored in the iOS Keychain. Network traffic between the App and our server uses HTTPS. Local Books are protected by iOS's built-in app sandboxing and device encryption. We take reasonable measures to protect your data, but no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: heavenbrook@gmail.com
This privacy policy is effective as of May 26, 2026.