This Privacy Policy describes how Catford Labs (“we”, “us”) handles information in connection with the SentryCam applications for macOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch (“SentryCam” or the “App”).
1. Who is responsible
Controller / developer contact for SentryCam privacy questions: support@catfordlabs.com
2. Information we process
Depending on how you use SentryCam, the following categories may be processed:
- Camera and microphone (on your device). The App accesses the camera to preview, detect motion, and record video. Microphone access may be used for live talkback or companion audio. Video files are stored locally on the device (and may upload to iCloud when you enable that path).
- Local app preferences (on your device). Capture settings, device display name, retention preferences, and similar settings stored with Apple’s UserDefaults / Keychain on your device.
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iCloud / CloudKit (Apple).
If you are signed in to iCloud, the App may sync device registry records, recording metadata, motion events, camera shares, live-preview frames, and related CloudKit data in container
iCloud.com.catfordlabs.sentrycam.app. Apple processes this data under Apple’s privacy policies. Other devices signed into the same Apple Account (or invited via sharing) may see shared camera activity according to the features you use. - Notifications. If you allow notifications, the App may show local alerts (for example motion detected, monitoring paused) and may receive Apple Push / CloudKit subscription pushes for cross-device motion alerts.
- Network diagnostics. Optional in-app speed tests may contact Cloudflare endpoints to estimate bandwidth for adaptive quality. This is diagnostic / product interaction data, not advertising tracking.
- Anonymous usage analytics (TelemetryDeck). The App may send hashed install identifiers and non-identifying product events (for example that monitoring started or settings opened). These signals do not include your name, email, Apple Account name, or recording contents. TelemetryDeck hashes the install identifier on the device and again on its servers.
- Support communications. If you email us, we process the content of your message and your email address to respond.
3. How we use information
- Provide motion monitoring, recording, clips browsing, and companion features
- Sync devices, shares, and metadata through iCloud when you are signed in
- Notify you about motion or monitoring health when you allow notifications
- Adapt capture quality using optional network estimates
- Understand anonymous feature usage so we can improve SentryCam
- Respond to support requests and comply with law and platform policies
4. Legal bases (where GDPR / UK GDPR apply)
Where those laws apply, we rely on:
- Contract — to provide the App features you use
- Legitimate interests — to maintain security, prevent abuse, and improve the App in ways that do not override your rights
- Consent — for camera, microphone, and notification permissions where required by the platform
- Legal obligation — where we must keep or disclose information under law
5. Sharing and processors
We do not sell your personal information. We use service providers / platforms that process data on our behalf or as independent controllers:
- Apple Inc. — App Store, iCloud / CloudKit, Push Notifications, device services. See Apple’s Privacy Policy.
- TelemetryDeck GmbH — anonymous product analytics. See TelemetryDeck’s Privacy Policy.
- Cloudflare, Inc. — optional speed-test endpoints used for bandwidth estimates. See Cloudflare’s Privacy Policy.
6. Your choices
- Deny camera or microphone access in system Settings — monitoring and talkback will not work without the permissions they need.
- Sign out of iCloud or disable CloudKit features to keep activity local to the device.
- Deny notification permission to stop motion / monitoring alerts.
- Delete local recordings in the Clips UI (and delete the App to remove remaining local data).
7. Data retention
- Local recordings and preferences remain on your device until you delete them or the App.
- CloudKit records are retained under Apple’s iCloud policies and any retention settings you configure in the App.
- TelemetryDeck retains anonymous usage signals under TelemetryDeck’s policies.
- Support emails are kept as long as needed to handle your request and our legitimate business records.
8. International transfers
Apple, TelemetryDeck, and Cloudflare may process data in the United States, the European Union, and other countries. Where required, those companies use appropriate transfer mechanisms described in their privacy documentation.
9. Children
SentryCam is a general-audience utility and is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children for our own databases. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us directly by email, contact us and we will delete it.
10. Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing. For data held only on your device, you can delete recordings or the App. For iCloud data, use Apple Account / iCloud controls, or email us at support@catfordlabs.com and we will help where we can. You may also complain to your local data protection authority.
11. Security
We use platform security features provided by Apple (including optional client-side encryption for uploads when enabled). No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure. Please keep your Apple Account and device protected.
12. Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top will change when we do. Continued use of SentryCam after an update means you acknowledge the revised policy.
13. Contact
Catford Labs — SentryCam privacy & support
Email: support@catfordlabs.com