Introduction
ApApps ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Glance application (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our media viewer application for viewing photos and videos on macOS.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the Glance application, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
Privacy First Approach: Glance is designed with privacy as our top priority. All your media files and data stay on your device and are never transmitted to external servers. You maintain complete control over your media files.
Information We Collect
Media Files
Glance is a media viewer application that allows you to view photos and videos on your Mac. The app does not store, copy, or transmit your media files:
- File Access: Glance accesses media files only when you explicitly open them through the app
- No Storage: We do not store your media files in any database or cloud service
- No Transmission: Your media files are never uploaded, transmitted, or shared with any external servers
- Local Cache Only: Images and thumbnails are temporarily cached in memory for performance, but this cache is cleared when you close the app
Metadata Extraction
When viewing media files, Glance may extract and display metadata embedded in your files:
- Image Metadata: EXIF data (camera settings, date taken, GPS coordinates if present), file dimensions, color space, bit depth
- Video Metadata: Duration, dimensions, frame rate, codec information, bitrate
- File Information: File name, size, creation date, modification date
Important: This metadata is extracted only for display purposes within the app. We do not store, transmit, or share this metadata with any external services.
App Settings and Preferences
Glance stores the following settings locally on your device:
- Appearance preferences (light/dark mode)
- UI visibility settings (sidebar, filmstrip preferences)
- View mode, sort order, and navigation preferences
- Video playback settings
- Cache size preferences
- Scroll wheel and zoom behavior preferences
- Delete confirmation and folder-watching preferences
- Live Photos preference
All settings are stored locally using macOS's standard UserDefaults system and are never transmitted externally.
Recently Opened Files
To populate the "Open Recent" menu, Glance stores a list of recently opened file locations (paths and bookmarks) locally on your device. This list never leaves your Mac, and you can clear it at any time from Settings.
Legal Acceptance Record
When you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Glance records which versions you accepted and the date you accepted them, locally in UserDefaults. This is used only to know whether to show the acceptance screen again after a future update to these documents. It is never transmitted externally.
App Usage Information
Glance tracks minimal usage information locally for app functionality:
- Launch Count: Number of times the app has been launched (used to determine when to show rating, support, and related prompts)
- Prompt History: Whether you have declined or deferred rating, support, or default-app prompts (stored locally only)
This information is stored locally on your device and is never transmitted to external servers.
Photos Library Access
Glance can play the video portion of Live Photos. This feature is optional and can be turned off in Settings. When it is enabled and you view a Live Photo:
- Glance requests permission to access your Photos library, solely to locate the companion video that belongs to the Live Photo you are viewing
- If found, the companion video is written to a temporary file on your device so it can be played, and is not transmitted anywhere
- Glance does not browse, catalog, upload, or otherwise use your Photos library for any other purpose
- You can grant or revoke Photos access at any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos
On-Device Image Analysis
Some features analyze the contents of an image using Apple's on-device Vision framework. This analysis runs entirely on your Mac; the image and the results are never sent to us or to any third party:
- Text Extraction: When you choose "Extract Text," Glance recognizes text in the current image so you can read or copy it
- Face Detection: When the info panel is open, Glance may detect how many faces appear in an image to display that count as metadata. Glance does not identify, recognize, or name anyone, and does not build or store any facial data or profiles
Image and Thumbnail Cache
To improve performance, Glance maintains an in-memory cache of full-size images and thumbnails:
- Image Cache: Temporary storage of decoded images in RAM
- Thumbnail Cache: Small preview images cached in memory for faster browsing
- Configurable Size: You can set a memory limit for this cache, or clear it on demand, in Settings
- Automatic Cleanup: The cache is automatically reduced when system memory is low and is cleared when the app closes
- Held by Glance in Memory Only: Glance's own cache lives in RAM and is not written to disk. Separately, to generate thumbnails Glance uses macOS's built-in QuickLook service, which is a system component that may keep its own thumbnail cache on disk outside of Glance's control. That system cache is managed by macOS, not by Glance, and contains no data we collect or transmit
Device Information
We do not collect device information, analytics, or usage statistics. The only device-related information that may be accessed is:
- System memory pressure notifications (used to manage cache, not transmitted)
- macOS version compatibility (handled automatically by the system)
How We Use Your Information
Primary Functions
- Media Viewing: Display photos and videos you choose to open, including RAW files and Live Photos
- Metadata Display: Show embedded metadata from your media files
- Text Extraction: Recognize text in an image, on device, when you request it
- Resize and Export: Create resized or reformatted copies of an image and save them where you choose
- Performance Optimization: Cache images in memory for faster viewing
- User Preferences: Remember your app settings and preferences
- File Management: Allow you to move files to the Trash (with your explicit confirmation)
What We Don't Do
- We do not collect or store your media files
- We do not transmit your files or metadata to external servers
- We do not use analytics, tracking, or advertising services
- We do not share your data with third parties
- We do not use cookies or tracking technologies
- We do not collect personal information
Data Storage and Security
Local Storage Only
All data associated with Glance is stored locally on your device:
- App Settings: Stored in macOS UserDefaults (standard system location)
- Image Cache: Stored in RAM only, cleared when app closes
- No Cloud Storage of Your Data: We do not operate any cloud service and do not store your files, settings, or metadata on a server
- No Server We Operate: The app does not send your data to any server operated by us. The only network activity is initiated by you or by macOS on your behalf: opening an external link you tapped (such as the App Store or our website), and downloading a file you chose to open that is stored in a cloud drive (such as iCloud Drive or OneDrive). In the cloud-file case, the download is handled by macOS through the system file provider, and the file's contents are not routed to us
Data Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical measures to protect your information:
- All data stays on your device under your control
- No network transmission of your media files or metadata
- Automatic cache cleanup to prevent memory issues
- Privacy-first design with minimal data collection
File Deletion
When you choose to delete a file through Glance:
- The action is performed directly on your device
- You are prompted for confirmation (unless you've disabled this in settings)
- The file is moved to the macOS Trash, not erased immediately. It remains recoverable until you empty the Trash, which is an action you perform in the Finder. For a Live Photo, the companion video is moved to the Trash as well
- Glance offers a single-level "Undo Delete" that attempts to restore the most recently trashed item to its original location
- We do not have access to, transmit, or store any information about deleted files
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We Do Not Sell Your Data
We do not sell, trade, or rent your information to third parties. Your media files and data are yours and yours alone.
No Data Sharing
We do not share your information with any third parties. The only external interactions are:
- App Store: When you choose to rate the app, you are directed to the App Store (handled by Apple)
- Our Website: When you choose to learn more about Glance, open the Terms of Service, or open this Privacy Policy, you are directed to our website at apapps.co (handled by your browser)
- Share and Print: When you choose to share or print an image, you use macOS's native sharing and printing (handled by macOS and the destination you pick)
- Cloud Drives: When you open a file stored in a cloud drive, macOS downloads it from your cloud provider so it can be displayed
These interactions are initiated by you (or, for cloud downloads, by macOS on your behalf) and do not involve transmitting your media files or app data to us.
Legal Requirements
We may share information only in the following circumstances:
- Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process
- Safety: To protect the rights, property, or safety of ApApps, our users, or others
Your Rights and Choices
Data Control
You have complete control over your data:
- File Access: You choose which files to open in Glance
- Settings: You can modify all app settings at any time
- Cache Management: Cache is automatically managed; you can also set its size limit or clear it from Settings, and it is cleared when you quit the app
- File Deletion: You can delete files through the app (with confirmation)
Settings Control
You can control app behavior through settings:
- Appearance preferences (light/dark mode)
- UI visibility (sidebar, filmstrip)
- View mode preferences
- Video playback settings
- Cache size limits
- Delete confirmation preferences
Uninstalling the App
- Uninstalling the app removes all app settings and preferences
- No server-side account deletion is necessary (we don't have accounts)
- Your media files are not affected by uninstalling the app
- Cache is automatically cleared when the app closes
Third-Party Services
No Third-Party Analytics
We do not use any third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking services. Glance operates entirely locally on your device.
External Links
The app may open external links when you choose to:
- Rate the app in the App Store (Apple's service)
- Visit our website, or read the Terms of Service or Privacy Policy, at apapps.co (opened in your browser)
- Share or print an image using macOS's native sharing and printing
These interactions are user-initiated and do not involve transmitting your media files or app data to us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external services.
Data Retention
App Settings
- Local Storage: Your app settings are stored locally and retained until you uninstall the app or manually reset preferences
- When you uninstall the app, all settings are permanently deleted
Image Cache
- In-Memory Only: Cache is stored in RAM and cleared when the app closes
- Automatic Cleanup: Cache is automatically reduced when system memory is low
- No Persistent Storage: Cache is not saved to disk
Media Files
- Not Stored by App: Glance does not store your media files
- Your Control: Your media files remain in their original locations on your device
- Deletion: If you delete files through Glance, they are moved to the macOS Trash and remain recoverable until you empty it
Children's Privacy
Glance is not intended for use by children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
International Data Transfers
Since all your data is stored locally on your device and we do not transmit data to external servers, there are no international data transfers. All processing occurs on your local device.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do:
- We will notify you through the app or other means
- The "Last Updated" date will be revised
- Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
GDPR Compliance (EU Users)
If you are in the European Union, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
Your Rights
- Right to Access: You can view all app settings within the app
- Right to Rectification: You can modify any app settings at any time
- Right to Erasure: Uninstalling the app deletes all associated data
- Right to Data Portability: Your settings are stored in standard macOS locations and can be accessed if needed
- Right to Restrict Processing: You can stop using the app at any time
- Right to Object: You can uninstall the app if you object to any data processing
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Information section. We will respond to your request within one month of receiving it.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on:
- Consent: When you choose to use the app and configure settings
- Legitimate Interest: For app functionality and performance optimization
- Contract Performance: To provide the media viewing services you have requested
Compliance
This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with applicable privacy laws, including:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
- Other applicable local privacy regulations
Your Consent
By using Glance, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy. This consent is revocable - you may stop using the app and uninstall it at any time.
Thank you for trusting Glance with your media viewing. Your privacy and trust are our highest priorities.
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