Privacy Policy
werkBudget is a local-first iPhone and Mac app for personal budgeting, developed by Caleb Werkmeister ("we", "us"). This policy explains, in plain language, what data the app handles and what happens to it.
Short version: Your budget data lives on your device and in your iCloud private database. We never see it. We do not run analytics, advertising SDKs, or third-party trackers inside the app. We do not sell, rent, share, or monetize your data.
1. Data the app stores on your device
When you use werkBudget, the app stores the financial information you enter (envelopes, categories, transactions, account balances, goals, and any notes or tags) locally on your iPhone and any other Apple devices you sign in on. This data is stored using Apple's SwiftData framework on the device.
2. iCloud sync (your private database)
If you are signed in to iCloud on your device, the app uses CloudKit private database to sync your data across your own Apple devices. This is the same mechanism Apple's own apps (Notes, Reminders) use for private sync.
- Data in your CloudKit private database is encrypted in transit and at rest by Apple.
- The data is associated with your Apple ID. Only you can access it.
- We do not operate any servers that store, process, or have access to this data. We cannot read it, recover it, or share it.
- If you sign out of iCloud or disable iCloud for werkBudget in Settings, sync stops. The local copy remains on the device.
3. No app account, no login
werkBudget does not have its own account system. There is nothing to register for, no username, no password. If you're signed into iCloud on your device, sync happens through CloudKit silently. If you're not, the app still works locally. We do not see your iCloud Apple ID, your name, your email, or any identifier tied to you. If you choose to email us at our support address, we receive whatever you send in that email and nothing more.
4. Analytics, tracking, and advertising
We do not embed analytics SDKs, advertising SDKs, attribution frameworks, crash-reporting services, or any third-party tracking in the app. We do not use cookies, web beacons, or device fingerprinting. We do not participate in any data broker or advertising network.
Because werkBudget is distributed through the App Store (and TestFlight during beta), Apple may collect standard App Store telemetry (such as download counts, version adoption, and aggregated crash reports through TestFlight) independently of us. That information is governed by Apple's privacy policy and is provided to us, if at all, only in aggregated form.
5. Email and support
If you contact us at werkbudget@werkey.tech, we will see the email address you sent from, your message, and any attachments. We retain support emails only as long as needed to help you and to keep a record of the conversation. We do not add your email to any marketing list.
6. Children
werkBudget is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. The app does not request information about age.
7. Your rights and choices
- Access & portability: Your data is already on your device. Future versions will offer an export function (CSV/JSON).
- Deletion: Delete the app to remove the local copy. To delete the iCloud copy, sign in to iCloud.com or go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Manage Account Storage on your iPhone, find werkBudget, and choose "Delete Data".
- Withdraw consent: Disable iCloud sync for werkBudget at any time in iOS Settings.
8. Security
On-device data benefits from iOS data protection (encrypted at rest when the device is locked). iCloud-synced data benefits from CloudKit's encryption in transit and at rest. We further recommend you enable the in-app Face ID lock and a device passcode.
9. Changes to this policy
If we change this policy in a material way, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, surface a notice in the app. Historical versions will be available in the public Git history of the website repository.
10. Contact
Questions or requests about this policy or your data? Email werkbudget@werkey.tech.