Introduction
Welcome to Watchly! We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding your data when you use our premium media streaming application available on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) and Apple TV.
🎯 Our Privacy Commitment
Watchly is designed with privacy-first principles across all platforms. We collect only essential data to deliver a professional media streaming experience with VLC-quality playback, smart casting (iOS), and intelligent content management. Your personal information is never sold to third parties.
📱 📺 Platform Overview
This privacy policy covers both versions of Watchly:
- iOS App (iPhone & iPad): Full-featured mobile experience with casting, photo library access, and background playback
- Apple TV App: Big screen optimized experience with Siri remote integration and direct media streaming
Note: Some features are platform-specific and are labeled throughout this policy. Your data sync seamlessly across both platforms when signed in with the same account.
Information We Collect
We collect different types of information to provide and improve our services:
📧 Account Information
- Email address (for authentication)
- Display name
- Profile picture (optional)
- Authentication provider (Google, Apple, Email)
📱 App Usage Data
- App preferences and settings
- Media library organization
- Playback history and progress
- Search queries within the app
🎬 Media & Content Data
- Media file metadata and organization
- Movie/TV show information from TMDB
- Custom collections and watchlists
- Playback progress and viewing history
- Subtitle preferences and timing
🔧 Technical Information
- Device type and OS version (iOS/tvOS)
- App version and crash reports
- Performance analytics
- Network connectivity status
📡 Casting & Network Data (iOS)
- WiFi network information for casting
- Connected device preferences
- Audio/subtitle track synchronization
- Casting performance analytics
📸 Optional Permissions (iOS)
- Photo library (for saving posters/screenshots)
- Notifications preferences
- Background app refresh settings
How We Use Your Information
🎬 Core Media Features
- Universal video playback with VLC engine (95%+ format support)
- Smart casting to WiFi-connected devices (iOS)
- Seamless media streaming on Apple TV
- Automatic metadata fetching from TMDB database
- Cross-device progress synchronization via Supabase (iOS and Apple TV)
- Professional subtitle management and timing
- Background audio playback (iOS, user-configurable)
🔐 Account & Authentication
- Create and maintain your user account
- Authenticate you securely
- Sync preferences across devices
- Provide customer support
📊 App Improvement
- Analyze app performance and usage patterns
- Fix bugs and improve features
- Develop new functionality
- Optimize user experience
Information Sharing
⚠️ We Never Sell Your Data
Watchly does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing or any other purposes.
🤝 Limited Sharing Scenarios
We may share your information only in these specific circumstances:
- Supabase Backend: Secure cloud database for authentication and sync (encrypted)
- TMDB Metadata: Anonymous queries for movie/TV information (no personal data)
- VLC Components: Local media processing (no data leaves your device)
- Legal Requirements: If required by law or to protect users' safety
- Business Transfer: Only with your explicit consent in acquisition scenarios
Third-Party Services
🔧 Backend Infrastructure
- Supabase: Database and authentication services
- Cloud Providers: Your chosen cloud storage services (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
🎭 Content Metadata
- TMDB (The Movie Database): Movie and TV show information
- Content Recognition Services: For automatic media identification
🍎 Apple Services
- Sign in with Apple: Secure authentication (iOS & Apple TV)
- iCloud: Optional data backup and sync (iOS & Apple TV)
- App Store: App updates and purchases (iOS & tvOS)
- tvOS Integration: Apple TV system features and remote control support
Data Security
🔒 Security Measures
- Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- Authentication: Secure OAuth and biometric authentication
- Access Control: Role-based access to your data
- Regular Audits: Ongoing security assessments
- Secure Infrastructure: Enterprise-grade cloud security
Your Privacy Rights
✋ Control Your Data
- Access: View all data we have about you
- Correction: Update or correct your information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
- Export: Download your data in a portable format
- Opt-out: Disable analytics and optional features
🌍 Regional Rights
Depending on your location, you may have additional rights under laws like GDPR (Europe), CCPA (California), or other local privacy regulations. We respect and comply with all applicable privacy laws.
Data Retention
⏰ How Long We Keep Your Data
- Account Data: Until you delete your account
- Media Library: Until you remove items or delete your account
- Usage Analytics: Aggregated data for up to 24 months
- Crash Reports: Up to 12 months for debugging purposes
- Support Communications: Up to 3 years for customer service
Platform-Specific Features
📱 iOS App Features
- Smart casting to compatible devices via WiFi
- Photo library access for saving posters and screenshots
- Push notifications for updates and reminders
- Background audio playback
- Mobile device optimization
📺 Apple TV App Features
- Big screen optimized interface
- Siri remote integration
- Direct media streaming from your sources
- tvOS-optimized playback controls
- Living room entertainment experience
Cross-Platform Features: Your account, preferences, watchlists, and viewing progress sync seamlessly between iOS and Apple TV devices.
Children's Privacy
Watchly is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy.watchly@orbitx.studio to have the information removed.
International Data Transfers
Your information may be stored and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy.
Changes to Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes through:
- In-app notifications
- Email notifications (if you've provided an email)
- App Store update notes
- Updated "Last modified" date on this policy
📝 Your Consent
By using Watchly on iOS or Apple TV, you consent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our app. Continued use after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the changes.
Viewing This Policy: This privacy policy is available at https://watchly.orbitx.studio/privacy-policy.html and can be accessed through the app settings on both iOS and Apple TV platforms.