Effective Date: March 4, 2026
Last Updated: March 4, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how JCM Development LLC ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use the AppTank mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: When you register, we collect your email address, password (stored as a one-way cryptographic hash), and display name.
- App Idea Submissions: When you submit an app idea, we collect the title, description, optional YouTube video URL, and up to four (4) images you upload.
- Comments and Replies: Any text content you post as comments or replies on idea submissions.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Authentication Tokens: We store JSON Web Token (JWT) refresh tokens (as cryptographic hashes) to keep you securely logged in.
- Push Notification Tokens: If you grant notification permissions, we collect your Expo push notification token and device type (iOS or Android) to send you relevant in-app notifications.
- Search Activity: We collect search queries you submit within the app for the purpose of providing search suggestions and trending results.
- Usage Data: We may collect information about how you interact with the Service, such as features accessed and actions taken, for purposes of improving the Service.
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Google Sign-In: If you choose to sign in using your Google account, we receive your name and email address from Google as part of the OAuth authentication process.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Providing the Service: To create and manage your account, process idea submissions, and enable commenting and search functionality.
- Authentication and Security: To verify your identity, manage sessions, detect fraudulent activity, and enforce our Terms of Service.
- Notifications: To send you push notifications and in-app alerts about activity related to your submissions, comments, and season updates.
- Expert Panel Review: Submitted app ideas are shared with our expert panel for the purpose of evaluating and selecting a season winner. Submissions are otherwise kept private and are not publicly visible to other users.
- Search Suggestions: To provide personalized search suggestions, including recent searches and trending topics.
- Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, diagnose technical issues, and improve the features and performance of the Service.
- Communications: To send you important notices, updates about the Service, or information about season results.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
3.1 Service Providers
We share information with third-party vendors that help us operate the Service:
| Provider | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase | Authentication, database, and cloud storage | firebase.google.com/support/privacy |
| Google Cloud | Backend API hosting (Cloud Run) | cloud.google.com/terms/cloud-privacy-notice |
| Expo / EAS | App builds, over-the-air updates, and push notifications | expo.dev/privacy |
These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us and in compliance with applicable law.
3.2 Expert Panel
Your submitted app ideas (title, description, supporting media) are shared with our expert panel for evaluation. The panel is bound by confidentiality obligations and may not use your ideas outside of the evaluation process.
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
3.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or prominent notice within the Service before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
4. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service. If you request deletion of your account, we will delete or anonymize your information within a reasonable time, except where we are required by law to retain it or where retention is necessary for the resolution of disputes or enforcement of agreements.
Idea submissions associated with past seasons may be retained in an archived state for historical and integrity purposes.
5. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:
- Passwords stored using bcrypt hashing.
- JWT tokens stored on your device using secure, encrypted storage (
expo-secure-store). - Refresh tokens stored server-side as cryptographic hashes with reuse detection.
- All data transmitted over HTTPS/TLS.
- Firebase security rules to control database and storage access.
No method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
6. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your account and associated personal information.
- Portability: Request a structured, machine-readable copy of your data.
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for push notifications at any time through your device settings.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address provided in Section 10. We will respond to your request within thirty (30) days.
7. Children's Privacy
The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete that information.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
The Service may permit users to submit YouTube video URLs as part of idea submissions. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of YouTube or any other third-party platform. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, by sending a notification through the Service or via email. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of the updated policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
JCM Development LLC
Email: jacob@JCMDEV.com