Privacy Policy
On this page
Expenses is a local-first personal and shared expense tracker. You can use it entirely on your device. Optional sign-in unlocks cloud sync and shared groups across devices. This policy explains what stays on-device, what is stored when you opt into cloud features, and how to leave.
1. Local-only use (no sign-in)
Without signing in, Expenses stores data only on your device (Capacitor Preferences on Android/iOS; IndexedDB on the web), including:
- Profile details you enter (such as display name)
- Personal expenses, categories, budgets, and settings
- Local shared groups, members, shared expenses, and settlements
- Activity history generated from your actions in the app
- Theme, currency, and backup preferences
In this mode, that data is not uploaded to gLitCh Labs servers. Optional JSON backups you export stay under your control (device storage or wherever you save/share the file).
2. Optional cloud sync (sign-in)
If you choose to sign in, Expenses uses a cloud account so you can sync a personal vault and collaborate in shared groups. Cloud is optional; signing out returns you to local-only use on that device (local data remains unless you reset the app).
When signed in, we process:
- Account identity — Google Sign-In provides identifiers such as email and user id so we can authenticate you. (Apple Sign-In may be offered on iOS where required.)
- Phone number — an E.164 phone you add for matching members when joining shared groups. Verification may use a one-time code sent by SMS through our SMS provider (for example Twilio) via our backend.
- Personal vault — expenses, activity, categories, people, settings, reminders, and related app data you sync.
- Shared cloud groups — membership, shared expenses, settlements, and contact names/phones you add for splits.
- Display name — the name you set in the app (not overwritten by Google/Apple full name once you have set one).
Cloud data is hosted by our processor Supabase. When SMS OTP is enabled, the SMS provider is a subprocessor for delivering verification codes. We do not sell your personal or financial data. We do not use advertising SDKs. We do not currently include third-party analytics or crash-reporting SDKs.
3. Backups you choose to make
You may export a JSON backup or enable optional automatic local backups. Those files are created on your device (or downloaded by you). We do not receive them unless you choose to send a file to someone (for example by email or a cloud drive of your own). Cloud sync is separate from file backup.
4. Permissions and device features
Depending on platform and features you use, Expenses may request:
- Internet — for optional sign-in, sync, and invites
- Contacts — only when you pick people from your address book for shared-group splits (on-device picker; we do not upload your full address book)
- Storage / preferences for on-device app data
- Local notifications if you enable reminders
Core personal expense tracking does not require microphone, camera, or location. Camera or photo library may be used later only for optional features you choose (for example receipt capture) when those ship.
5. Sign out and account / cloud data
You can sign out in Settings. That disconnects cloud sync on that device. To request deletion of your cloud account and associated cloud data, follow the steps on our Delete account page (email glitchlabsio@gmail.com from the address used to sign in). We will process deletion requests within a reasonable time. Local data can also be cleared with the in-app Reset option.
6. Children
Expenses is not directed at children under 13. Do not use the app to store information about children if you do not have authority to do so.
7. Changes
If we change this policy in a material way, we will update this page and the “Last updated” date. Store privacy questionnaires (Apple App Privacy / Google Play Data safety) are kept aligned with this policy for the build you install.
8. Contact
Privacy questions: glitchlabsio@gmail.com. Account deletion: Delete account. Product issues: github.com/acoaria4/expenses-by-glitchlabs/issues.