Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 3, 2026 · Last Updated: July 6, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Catholic DeVice. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it through our compliance with this policy. This Privacy Policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you visit our website, use our mobile application (the "App"), and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information.

2. Important Disclosures Regarding App Permissions

Because Catholic DeVice functions as an app blocker and digital wellness tool, we require specific device permissions to operate effectively. We prioritize your privacy and on-device processing. The permissions we use differ by platform, as described below.

Android Permissions

  • Accessibility Service API: On Android, Catholic DeVice uses the Accessibility Service API to detect which application is currently open or running in the foreground. This permission is used solely to activate the "Praywall" (blocking screen) when you attempt to open a restricted app. We do not use this service to read your screen content, record your keystrokes, or collect personal data. No data collected through the Accessibility Service is stored on our servers or shared with third parties.
  • App Usage Stats & Query All Packages: We require permission to see your installed apps and access usage statistics so you can select which apps you want to block and so the app can detect when those applications are active. This information is processed on your device and is not transmitted to our servers.
  • Notification Listener Service: We use this permission to support the "Cloister" feature, which suppresses notifications from restricted apps during your scheduled focus or prayer times. We do not read, store, or transmit the content of your notifications.
  • Overlay Permission / System Alert Window: We use this to display the blocking screen (Praywall) over restricted apps.

iOS Permissions

  • Screen Time / Family Controls (Apple): On iOS, Catholic DeVice uses Apple's Screen Time framework family — Family Controls, Managed Settings, and Device Activity — to let you select apps to restrict and to "shield" those apps behind the Praywall. With your authorization, the system reports app-activity events to the app on your device so the shield can be presented. This processing happens entirely on your device. The list of apps you choose and your Screen Time activity are never transmitted to our servers, sold, shared with third parties, or used for advertising or tracking. Apple does not disclose the real identities of the apps you select to us; selections are represented by opaque, system-managed tokens.

3. Information We Collect and How We Collect It

A. Information You Provide to Us

  • Account Information: When you create an account using Google Sign-In or Sign In with Apple, we collect basic profile information such as your email address and name provided by the authentication service.
  • Prayer & Devotional Data: Your progress, completed devotions, prayer intentions, and custom app-blocking schedules are collected and synced to provide a seamless experience across devices.
  • Website Waitlist & Email Updates: If you join our email list on this website, we collect the email address you provide so we can send you launch announcements and updates. This list is managed by Kit (formerly ConvertKit), our email service provider. You may unsubscribe at any time using the link included in every email.

B. Information Collected Automatically

  • Analytics Data: We use PostHog to collect anonymous app usage events (e.g., app opens, onboarding completion, paywall views, devotions completed). We explicitly do not track your email, username, or personally identifiable information through our analytics provider. Devices are tracked using automatically generated, anonymous unique identifiers.
  • Device Information: We may collect basic device information (operating system version, device model) to ensure compatibility and diagnose issues.
  • Blocking Metrics: The app tracks the number of times distracting apps are blocked to show you your progress. This metric is tied to your account for display purposes.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve the App's core functionality (app blocking, prayer tracking).
  • Sync your settings, prayer progress, and blocked app list seamlessly across your devices.
  • Process subscriptions and manage premium features securely.
  • Understand and analyze how you use the App in an anonymized manner to improve the user experience.
  • Respond to your support requests or inquiries.

5. Third-Party Services

We utilize trusted third-party services to operate the App. These services have their own privacy policies:

  • Supabase: Used for secure user authentication and cloud database syncing of your prayer progress and settings.
  • RevenueCat: Used to securely manage and track in-app purchases and subscriptions. We do not collect or store your payment card details.
  • PostHog: Used for anonymous product analytics.
  • Kit (formerly ConvertKit): Used to manage our website email list and send launch updates to subscribers.
  • Vercel Web Analytics: Used on this website (catholicdevice.com) only. It is cookieless and collects anonymous, aggregated page-view statistics — no cookies, no cross-site tracking, and no personal identifiers.
  • Apple & Google App Stores: For managing secure sign-ins and processing payments.

6. Data Storage and Security

Most of the App's operations are performed locally on your device, including the active detection of restricted apps and notification suppression. Data that requires synchronization (like your account info, subscription status, and prayer progress) is transmitted securely and stored using industry-standard encryption protocols on our backend provider (Supabase).

7. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide the App's services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. You have the right to request the deletion of your account and associated data. You can delete your account directly in the App (Account → Delete Account & Data) or contact us directly. For step-by-step instructions, see our Account & Data Deletion page. When you delete your account, your data will be permanently removed from our active databases.

8. Children's Privacy

Our App is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personal information from a child under 13, we will delete such information from our records.

9. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes to how we treat our users' personal information, we will notify you through an alert in the App or via email. The date the Privacy Policy was last revised is identified at the top of the page.

10. Contact Information

To ask questions or comment about this Privacy Policy and our privacy practices, please contact us at:

admin@catholicdevice.com
Catholic DeVice
6650 Rivers Ave, STE 100
Charleston, SC 29406
https://www.catholicdevice.com