Privacy
Plain language, no fine print. Open Book is built local-first: the sensitive detail never leaves your phone.
What stays on your device
The specific sites, apps, and content you browse or block are processed on your device by Apple's built-in Screen Time controls. That detail is never sent to our servers and never shared with your accountability partner.
What our server stores
To operate an accountability connection, the server keeps only:
- Event types + timestamps — e.g. "blocking started" or "a pause was requested." Never what was visited.
- Check-in records — the times the device last reported to our server. A late or missing record can result from connectivity or background delivery and does not prove the current state of protection.
- Your partner's account — the email and password they choose when they accept your invite, and their mobile number (encrypted at rest), used only to text alerts.
- An anonymous device ID for your phone — no email or password is required from you to use blocking.
- Your subscription status, if you go Premium.
Event records are retained no longer than 90 days, then automatically deleted.
What your partner sees
Your partner's portal shows event types and check-in information — nothing about the sites or apps you use. Alert texts are status-free: they say something needs a look, never what happened.
Who we share with
Four service providers, each for one job:
- Twilio — delivers the SMS alerts to your partner's number.
- RevenueCat — manages your subscription.
- Email provider — if a partner requests a password reset, delivers the reset-link email to them. It contains only the link — never any of the accountable person's activity.
- PostHog — usage analytics and error reports: event types and technical crash data only, never what was visited.
No advertising, no ad tracking, and no data-broker SDKs. Our privacy-respecting usage analytics record event types only — never what you visit or block. Open Book does not track you across apps or websites.
Text-message (SMS) alerts & consent
If you are invited to be someone's accountability partner and choose to take part, Open Book sends transactional, status-free text alerts about that accountability connection. You opt in yourself, on our web form, by checking a box that reads: "I agree to receive text alerts about this accountability connection at the number above. Message frequency varies; message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help." We record your consent and its timestamp, and you are never enrolled without opting in.
- Message frequency varies based on activity in the accountability connection.
- Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
- Opt out any time by replying STOP to any message; reply HELP for help.
We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile number or your text-message opt-in and consent with any third party or affiliate for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Your mobile number is disclosed only to our messaging provider (Twilio) for the sole purpose of delivering the alerts you asked for. Text-message opt-in data and consent are never shared with any third party. Mobile information and messaging consent are not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
You're in control
Screen Time access can be turned off in your iPhone Settings at any time — you're never locked out of your own device. Open Book can record or report certain changes, but it does not guarantee immediate notice or prove the current state of protection.