Summary: Earpin does not store any personal data such as your name or email address and does not operate any servers of its own. All data remains on your device and, for cross-device synchronisation, in your personal iCloud. We do not use any advertising technologies and do not share data with third parties.
1. Controller
The controller responsible for the processing of personal data within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is:
scalewerk.io GmbH
Schmachtendorfer Str. 5
46147 Oberhausen
Germany
Email: support@earpin.app
A legally mandatory data protection officer is not required, as we do not meet the thresholds set out in Art. 37 GDPR. For data protection enquiries, please contact the email address listed above directly.
2. Data Collected
Earpin processes only the following categories of data. No real names, email addresses, or other directly identifying information are stored. None of this data ever reaches Earpin servers. There are none.
| Data Category | Description | Storage Location |
|---|---|---|
| Device UUID | On first launch, a random UUID is automatically generated on your device and stored in the iCloud Keychain. Its sole purpose is to match your own devices to the same data set, and it never leaves your Apple account. | Device + your iCloud Keychain |
| Playback Position | The name of the most recently played album and track in Apple Music, along with the time position in milliseconds. Stored locally and synchronised between your devices via the iCloud key-value store of your Apple account. | Device (MMKV) + your iCloud |
| Listening Duration | Daily listening duration in seconds, aggregated per day (no track history). Used solely for statistics and cross-device synchronisation. | Device (MMKV) + your iCloud |
| App Settings | Your library configuration (selected artists, bookmarks). Stored locally and synchronised via your iCloud. | Device (MMKV) + your iCloud |
We do not collect location data, contact information, payment information (in-app purchases are processed exclusively by Apple), or device identifiers such as IDFA or IDFV. We do not collect your Apple ID or email address.
3. Purpose & Legal Basis
Progress Saving and Synchronisation
Earpin saves your playback position to allow you to continue listening exactly where you left off, even across devices. This is the core function of the app. Synchronisation takes place exclusively via the iCloud key-value store of your own Apple account; Earpin operates no servers for this and has no access to this data.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (processing necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party).
Series Detection
The app analyses metadata (album and track names) from Apple Music locally on your device to determine the correct order of audio drama series. This processing takes place exclusively locally on your device.
Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR.
Service Improvement
We do not conduct usage analytics, A/B testing, or crash reporting that requires personal data. No analytics SDKs are used.
4. Third Parties
Apple Music
Earpin queries which album and track is currently playing in Apple Music, along with the playback position. This query runs exclusively on your device. When you search for artists or albums in the app, the search query is sent directly to the Apple Music catalogue (Apple Inc.), with no detour via Earpin. An Apple Music membership is required to use Earpin.
Your use of Apple Music is governed by the Apple Inc. Privacy Policy.
Earpin does not control playback and does not access your Apple ID or email address.
Apple Inc.: App Store & In-App Purchases
In-app purchases (optional subscription) are processed exclusively through the Apple App Store. Payment information is not transmitted to Earpin. The Apple Privacy Policy applies.
Apple iCloud: Sync
Cross-device synchronisation uses the iCloud key-value store of your Apple account. This data is processed by Apple Inc. as part of your iCloud usage and is stored encrypted in transit and on Apple's servers; Earpin has no access to it. For possible data transfers to the USA, Apple is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. The Apple Privacy Policy and Apple's iCloud terms apply.
5. Retention Period
Your data is stored for as long as you use the Earpin app.
- Device-local data (settings, cache, UUID in iCloud Keychain) is deleted when you uninstall the app or delete it via the app settings.
- Data synchronised to iCloud (playback positions, listening duration, library) is completely and irreversibly deleted via App Settings → “Delete All Data” (Art. 17 GDPR). Deletion takes effect immediately on your device and in your iCloud.
If you uninstall the app without deleting your data first, synchronised data may remain in your iCloud until you remove it by reinstalling the app or via the iCloud management of your Apple account.
6. Your Rights
As a data subject, you have the following rights:
- Access (Art. 15 GDPR): You may request information about the data stored about you at any time.
- Rectification (Art. 16 GDPR): You may request the correction of inaccurate data.
- Erasure (Art. 17 GDPR): You may request the complete deletion of your data. In the app: Settings → Delete All Data.
- Restriction (Art. 18 GDPR): You may request the restriction of processing.
- Data Portability (Art. 20 GDPR): You may request the transfer of your data in a machine-readable format.
- Objection (Art. 21 GDPR): You may object to processing.
- Complaint (Art. 77 GDPR): You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, e.g. the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
To exercise your rights, please contact: support@earpin.app
7. Data Security
Earpin implements technical and organisational measures to protect your data:
- Earpin operates no servers of its own. There is no central database of user data that could be compromised.
- Device-local data is protected by iOS device encryption.
- The device UUID is stored exclusively in the iCloud Keychain, which is protected by device encryption and Apple account security.
- Data synchronised to iCloud is encrypted by Apple in transit and on their servers.
8. Children
Earpin is intended for persons aged 13 and over. In the European Union, Art. 8 GDPR sets a minimum age of 16 for the use of digital services without parental consent. Earpin requires an Apple Music membership; Apple requires a minimum age of 13 for Apple Music accounts. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in app functionality or legal requirements. The date of the last update is shown above. For material changes, we will notify you via an in-app message.
10. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or to exercise your rights:
Email: support@earpin.app
Website: earpin.app/support
We typically respond within 5 business days.