Privacy Policy

StepPup collects only the information necessary to provide you with a delightful dog walking experience. Here's an overview of the types of data we access:

StepPup integrates with Apple HealthKit to track your walking activity and reward you for staying active. We access the following HealthKit data with your permission:

• Step Count: To track your daily steps and progress toward goals
• Walking/Running Distance: To measure how far you and your virtual pup have traveled
• Workout Sessions: To record your walking sessions and earn in-game rewards
• Active Energy Burned: To display calories burned during walks

You can revoke HealthKit access at any time through your device's Settings → Privacy → Health → StepPup.

Location data is used to track your walking route during active workout sessions. This enables us to:

• Calculate accurate distance traveled during outdoor walks
• Provide route visualization for your walking sessions
• Enhance workout accuracy when GPS data is available

Route data is stored locally on your device and is not transmitted to any servers. You can disable location services at any time through Settings → Privacy → Location Services → StepPup.

Your game progress and preferences are stored locally on your device using secure iOS storage mechanisms. This includes:

• Dog Profile: Your virtual companion's name, appearance, happiness level, and bond XP
• Game Progress: Achievements unlocked, coins earned, items collected, and lifetime statistics
• Preferences: Daily step goals, notification settings, theme choices, and unit preferences
• Walk History: Records of past walking sessions and rewards earned

StepPup offers optional iCloud backup to keep your game progress safe. When enabled:

• What's Backed Up: Dog stats, achievements, coins, walk history, and settings
• Where It's Stored: Your private iCloud account using Apple CloudKit
• Who Can Access It: Only you — data is stored in your personal iCloud container
• Automatic Backups: Daily automatic backups keep your progress safe

You can disable iCloud backup at any time through the app's Settings. Deleting the app will not delete your iCloud backup data — you can restore it if you reinstall.

StepPup integrates with Apple Game Center to provide leaderboards and achievements. When you opt in to Game Center:

• Your Game Center display name may appear on public leaderboards
• Walking statistics like total steps and distance may be shared for leaderboard rankings
• Achievement progress is synced with your Game Center profile

Game Center integration is optional. You can participate in leaderboards or keep your progress private. Game Center data is managed by Apple according to their privacy policy.

With your permission, StepPup may send you local notifications to:

• Remind you to collect daily XP before the day ends
• Provide morning motivation to walk with your virtual companion
• Celebrate achievements and milestones

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties.

StepPup is designed with privacy as a core principle. Your health data, location data, and game progress remain on your device. The only exception is Game Center, which is an optional Apple service you can choose to use for leaderboards.

We do not:

• Collect analytics or usage data
• Use advertising SDKs or trackers
• Transmit any personal information to external servers
• Share data with data brokers or marketing partners

StepPup is suitable for users of all ages. Since we do not collect or transmit personal data to servers, the app complies with children's privacy regulations including COPPA.

Parents and guardians should be aware that:

• HealthKit integration requires parental consent for users under 13
• Game Center features are subject to Apple's parental controls
• All data remains on the device under parental supervision

You have complete control over your data in StepPup:

• Access: View all your data directly in the app's settings and statistics screens
• Deletion: Delete all data by uninstalling the app or using the reset option in settings
• Permissions: Revoke HealthKit, Location, or Notification permissions at any time through iOS Settings
• Game Center: Opt out of leaderboards by signing out of Game Center

Since all data is stored locally, you maintain full ownership and control. There's no account to delete or data request to submit — simply manage your data directly through the app and iOS settings.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the app or legal requirements. When we make changes:

• The "Last Updated" date at the top will be revised
• Significant changes will be communicated through the app
• Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy