Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

“Focal” (“we”, “us”, “our”) is the team that operates the Focal mobile app and this website. This policy applies to the Focal app and the services it connects to. If you have any questions, contact us at privacy@focalapp.org.

2. Information we collect

We collect only what we need to run Focal for you:

Account information

When you create an account, we collect your email address and display name. If you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive the basic profile information that provider shares with us (such as your name, email address, and a unique account identifier). Authentication is handled by Google Firebase Authentication; we do not store your password.

Content you create

Focal stores the content you create so it can sync across your devices: your goals and tasks, your focus sessions (durations, timestamps, and any labels you add), and the statistics derived from them (focus minutes, streaks, XP, and achievements). This is stored in Google Cloud Firestore.

Study rooms

If you create or join a study room, your display name and live status (for example, that you are studying and your session progress) are visible to the other people in that room while the session is active. There is no public profile, follower count, or social feed in Focal.

Subscription status

If you subscribe to Focal Pro, we record whether your subscription is active. Payments are processed by Apple through the App Store, and subscription state is managed through RevenueCat. We never receive or store your full payment card details.

Device & technical data

Our providers process the limited technical data needed to run the service securely — for example, app-instance identifiers and the IP address used to authenticate you and prevent abuse. App preferences and onboarding choices are saved locally on your device.

3. What we do not collect

• No advertising or tracking. Focal contains no advertising identifiers and no third-party ad or analytics-tracking SDKs.
• App blocking stays on your device.Focal’s app blocking uses Apple’s Screen Time (Family Controls) framework. The apps you choose to block and your app-usage data stay on your device and are managed by iOS. Focal never receives or stores which apps you select or which apps you use.
• No sale of data. We never sell or rent your personal information.

4. How we use your information

We use the information above to:

• Provide, sync, and maintain the app and your account.
• Authenticate you and keep your account secure.
• Run study rooms and show your status to participants you join.
• Show you your analytics, streaks, and achievements.
• Manage Focal Pro subscriptions and entitlements.
• Prevent abuse, debug issues, and respond to your support requests.

For users in the EEA/UK, our legal bases are performance of our contract with you (providing the app), our legitimate interests (keeping the service secure and reliable), and your consent where the law requires it (for example, device permissions).

5. How information is shared

We share data only with the service providers that help us operate Focal. They process data on our behalf and are required to protect it consistent with this policy:

• Google / Firebase — authentication and database (Firebase privacy, Google Privacy Policy).
• RevenueCat — subscription management (RevenueCat privacy).
• Apple — App Store payments and the Screen Time framework (Apple Privacy Policy).

We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of Focal and its users.

6. Notifications

Focal schedules local notifications on your device (such as goal reminders and focus-session alarms). These are generated on your device — you can turn them off at any time in your device settings.

7. Data retention

We keep your account data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we delete your personal data from our systems within 30 days, except for the limited records we are required to keep for legal, security, or financial reasons.

8. Your rights and choices

• Access, correct, or export your data — contact us and we will help.
• Delete your account at any time from inside the app: Settings → Account → Delete Account. This removes your personal data as described above. You can also email privacy@focalapp.org.
• Revoke consent — turn off notifications or Screen Time access in your device settings, sign out, or delete your account.

If you are in the EEA/UK (GDPR) or California (CCPA/CPRA), you have additional rights, including access, deletion, portability, objection, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising them. We honor these rights globally wherever practical. You also have the right to complain to your local data-protection authority.

9. Children

Focal is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

10. International data transfers

Our service providers may process and store data in the United States and other countries. Where required, appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) are used to protect your information when it is transferred internationally.

11. Security

Authentication and storage run on Google’s secure infrastructure, and data is encrypted in transit. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we take reasonable measures to protect your information.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as Focal evolves. We will revise the “Last updated” date above, and for material changes we will provide a more prominent notice in the app or on this page.

13. Contact us

Questions about privacy? Email privacy@focalapp.org.

This policy describes how Focal handles your data. It is provided for transparency and is not a substitute for your own legal advice; if you operate Focal under a registered legal entity, add that entity’s name and address here before publishing.