Oysterdex Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 24, 2026
Oysterdex is an oyster tasting journal. This policy explains what data the app handles and where it goes. The short version: your tasting journal lives on your device, we have no accounts, we collect nothing about you, and we never track you.
Data stored on your device
Everything you record in Oysterdex - oysters tried, ratings, tasting notes, dates, locations you type in, and photos you attach - is stored locally on your device. It is not synced to any server, is not backed up by us, and is never linked to your identity. Deleting the app deletes this data.
Data sent to our catalog service
When you log an oyster by typing a name that isn't in the Oysterdex library, the app anonymously submits that oyster's name, your tasting notes and typed-in locations for that oyster, and up to three of the photos you attached to it to our catalog research service (Apple CloudKit). We use this submission for one purpose: researching and writing a proper profile for that oyster so it can be added to the library for everyone.
About these submissions:
- They contain no identifiers - no name, email, account, device ID, or precise location. We cannot connect a submission to you.
- Location means only the free text you typed (e.g. a restaurant name), if any. The app never accesses GPS or location services.
- Photos are only those you explicitly attached to that specific oyster.
- Submissions are stored in Apple's CloudKit service and are deleted after the oyster has been researched.
If you prefer not to share this, only log oysters that already exist in the library - nothing is ever uploaded for those.
What we don't do
- No accounts or sign-in
- No analytics, advertising, or tracking of any kind
- No third-party SDKs or data sharing
- No access to your contacts, location, microphone, or camera roll beyond the photos you explicitly pick
Photo library access
Oysterdex uses Apple's photo picker, which lets you choose specific photos without granting the app access to your photo library.
Children
Oysterdex does not knowingly collect any personal information from anyone, including children.
Changes
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted at this address with a new "last updated" date.
Contact
Questions or data requests: ben.strohbeen@gmail.com or open an issue at github.com/bnstrhbn/oysterdex-site.