Privacy Policy

1. Overview

GrindMute is a local-first mobile app that helps you notice sounds that may resemble teeth grinding while you sleep. This Privacy Policy applies to the GrindMute mobile app and the website at grindmute.com.

You do not need to create a named GrindMute account for the app’s core features. The app may create a pseudonymous technical identifier to support app infrastructure, as described below.

2. Microphone audio and saved clips

Microphone access

GrindMute needs microphone permission to listen for possible grinding sounds during a Night Session. The app does not listen until you start a session and the operating system grants permission.

On-device processing

Audio analysis takes place on your phone. Raw microphone audio is not sent to GrindMute servers or to third-party analytics services for analysis.

Short clips

When GrindMute identifies a potentially relevant sound, it may save a short audio clip in the app’s local storage so you can review it. The purpose is to keep reviewable moments, not a conventional full-night recording.

No automatic training upload

GrindMute does not automatically collect your saved clips or your Grinding / Not Grinding labels for centralized model training. Clips are only ever shared if you turn on the optional contribution setting described in section 3.

3. Training data contribution (optional)

If you choose to, you can share short audio clips with us to help GrindMute recognize real grinding sounds more accurately.

This is entirely optional and off by default. You’ll only ever be asked about clips you’ve already listened to and labeled yourself while reviewing a night. Audio you haven’t listened to is never shared.

What we collect if you opt in

The clip itself, the label you gave it (Grinding or Not Grinding), and basic technical context (device model, app version, when it happened). We don’t collect your name, email, or any other identifying information alongside these clips. They’re linked only to an anonymous device identifier.

What we use it for

Improving GrindMute’s ability to recognize real grinding sounds. We don’t use these clips for advertising, and we don’t sell them.

Turning it off and deleting clips

You can turn this off at any time in Settings. Turning it off stops new clips from being shared; it doesn’t automatically delete clips you’ve already shared. You can request deletion of previously shared clips at any time by contacting us at hi@grindmute.com.

Legal basis

Consent. You may withdraw consent at any time, which won’t affect the lawfulness of sharing that happened before you withdrew it.

4. Other data GrindMute handles

Data stored locally

The app stores Night Session timing, possible event metadata, saved clips, your clip labels, app settings, reminder preferences, and related report data on your device. GrindMute does not provide automatic cloud sync for this information.

Anonymous authentication

The app may use Firebase Authentication to create an anonymous identifier. This supports technical app operations without asking for your name, email address, or password. It is not a public profile and does not make the product account-first.

Purchases and subscriptions

If paid features are available and you make or restore a purchase, the relevant app store and RevenueCat may process a pseudonymous app user identifier, product and entitlement information, transaction status, store, country or locale information, and technical details needed to validate access. GrindMute does not receive your full payment card details.

Support messages

If you email hi@grindmute.com, we receive the contact details and content you choose to provide. Please do not attach audio or sensitive health information unless it is necessary and you intend to share it.

Website data

The current public website does not use advertising trackers or set GrindMute analytics cookies. Standard hosting infrastructure may process IP address, user-agent, request time, and requested URL in security and access logs.

5. How data is used

We use the limited information described above to:

• provide Night Sessions, clips, reports, reminders, and your chosen settings;
• authenticate the app pseudonymously and keep technical services operating;
• validate purchases and restore entitlements where paid features are offered;
• respond to support requests and investigate reliability or security issues;
• improve GrindMute’s ability to recognize real grinding sounds, using only the clips you have explicitly chosen to contribute under section 3;
• comply with legal obligations and protect GrindMute, its users, and others.

We do not sell your microphone audio or use it for targeted advertising. That applies to contributed clips as well.

6. Service providers and disclosures

GrindMute relies on a limited set of providers for functions that cannot be delivered solely on your device:

• Google Firebase Authentication for pseudonymous app authentication;
• Google Cloud Storage for Firebase and Cloud Firestore to hold clips and labels you have chosen to contribute under section 3, and nothing else;
• RevenueCat for purchase and entitlement infrastructure when billing is enabled;
• Apple App Store and Google Play for app distribution and payment processing;
• website and email infrastructure providers for hosting, security, and support communications.

These providers process data under their own terms and privacy commitments. Apart from clips you have chosen to contribute under section 3, they do not receive your GrindMute audio from us.

We may disclose information if required by applicable law, legal process, or a valid government request; to investigate fraud, abuse, or security issues; or as part of a business reorganization where appropriate safeguards apply. Because core audio and Night Session data remain local, GrindMute ordinarily does not possess that content to disclose.

7. Retention, exports, and security

Local retention

Saved clips and night data remain on your device until you delete them through the app, remove the app, or the operating system removes app data. Device backups or operating-system behavior may affect whether local data persists outside the app’s direct control.

User-initiated exports

If you choose to export or share a clip or other app data, it leaves GrindMute’s local storage at your direction. The destination you choose, such as email, cloud storage, messaging, or another device, then controls that copy under its own privacy and security terms.

Service data

Providers may retain pseudonymous authentication, purchase, security, and support records as needed to provide their services, meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, and prevent abuse.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures appropriate to the data we process. No device, storage system, or transmission method is completely secure, so absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

8. Your choices and privacy rights

• Microphone: refuse or revoke permission in system settings. Night Sessions cannot work without it.
• Clips and nights: review and delete locally stored data from Settings.
• Reminders and notifications: keep them off or change permission in system settings.
• Exports: choose whether and where to share a copy.
• Training data contribution: off by default. Turn it on or off at any time in Settings, and email us to delete clips you have already shared.
• Support data: contact us to request access, correction, or deletion where applicable.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to processing, or to receive a portable copy of certain personal data. To make a request, email hi@grindmute.com. We may need information sufficient to verify and locate the relevant pseudonymous record. You may also have the right to complain to your local data-protection authority.

9. Children and regional age requirements

GrindMute is not directed to children under 13. If local law requires a higher minimum age or parental consent for digital services, that requirement applies. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us contrary to applicable law, contact hi@grindmute.com.

10. International processing

Service providers may process limited technical, purchase, or support information in countries other than your own. Where required, appropriate contractual or legal safeguards are used for international transfers. Audio processing and saved clips remain on your device unless you intentionally export them or choose to contribute them under section 3.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as GrindMute develops, providers change, or legal requirements evolve. The effective date and version at the top will identify the current policy. If a change materially affects how the app handles data, we will provide notice in the app or through another appropriate channel.

12. Contact

Questions or privacy requests can be sent to hi@grindmute.com.

GrindMute
grindmute.com