Plotwist

Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 18, 2025

Plotwist is operated by Brian De Souza. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how your information is collected, used, and shared. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how it is processed, and the controls available to you when you use the Plotwist app or website (collectively, the “Service”).

Summary of Data Practices

For Apple's App Store disclosure categories, Plotwist processes the following data when needed to operate the Service. Unless noted otherwise, the data is linked to your Plotwist account but not tracked across other companies' apps or websites.

  • Contact Information: Email address (or Apple relay email) used for account creation, support, and required notices. You can opt out of marketing emails at any time.
  • Identifiers: Username, Firebase user ID, hashed device identifiers, subscription status, and session tokens that keep your account secure and synchronized.
  • User Content: Stories, prompts, profile details, and media you upload so we can provide the core storytelling features.
  • Usage Data: Story interactions, likes, follows, completion rates, and purchase history so we can personalize experiences and verify subscriptions.
  • Diagnostics: Crash logs and performance metrics to troubleshoot and improve the app. When practical, these records are stored without direct identifiers.
  • Purchases: App Store transaction identifiers and receipts to activate, restore, and audit Plotwist Plus memberships. We never receive full payment card numbers.

We do not collect precise GPS location, contacts, health information, or other sensitive categories, and we do not sell personal data.

Information We Collect

In accordance with Apple's App Privacy categories, we collect the following information:

  • Account Information: Your email address (or private relay email), display name, username, Firebase user ID, subscription status, and profile details you choose to share.
  • Authentication & Sign-In Data: Tokens and identifiers from Sign in with Apple or Google Sign-In that are required to authenticate your account and keep it secure.
  • Device Information: Device model, operating system version, app version, push-notification token, and the Apple identifierForVendor (used to keep guest sessions active until you create an account).
  • User Content: Stories, comments, profile photos, preferences, story choices, and AI prompts you create or upload.
  • Usage & Analytics Data: Product interactions (e.g., stories played, likes, follows, completion rates), in-app purchases, session timestamps, and personalization controls such as the analytics opt-out toggle.
  • Diagnostics: Crash reports, performance metrics, and error logs that are not linked to your identity when possible.
  • Payments & Subscriptions: Apple App Store receipts and transaction identifiers so we can verify and manage your Plotwist Plus membership. We do not receive full card numbers.

We do not collect precise location data, health data, contacts, photo library contents, or other sensitive information.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, personalize, and maintain the Service
  • Generate interactive stories, recommendations, and artwork using AI
  • Authenticate users, prevent fraud, and secure your account
  • Measure app performance, diagnose issues, and improve features
  • Communicate with you about updates, feedback, and support
  • Process subscriptions, restore purchases, and comply with legal requirements

Sign-In and Guest Access

You can access Plotwist in three ways:

  • Sign in with Apple: We receive your name (if shared) and email address or Apple private relay email. Apple manages your password and you may revoke access at any time from your Apple ID settings.
  • Google Sign-In: We receive your name and Google account email solely to create and authenticate your Plotwist account.
  • Guest Sessions: If you choose to explore the app without signing in, we create an anonymous Firebase account tied to your device identifier. You can later upgrade the guest session to a full account.

Tracking, Analytics & Controls

Plotwist does not track you across other companies' apps or websites and does not use IDFA or advertising identifiers. Analytics collected through Firebase remain within the Plotwist ecosystem and are linked to your account ID so we can surface the correct stories, detect abuse, and understand feature performance.

You can disable optional analytics at any time by going to Settings → Privacy & Legal → Analytics Tracking inside the app. Essential events (such as subscription state or account deletion) are still recorded so we can fulfill your requests and comply with legal obligations.

AI & Machine Learning Processing

Plotwist uses AI to:

  • Generate personalized story structures and dialogue
  • Create artwork and character images
  • Provide narration and audio effects
  • Recommend content you might enjoy

Our AI requests travel through secure infrastructure managed by Plotwist. Each call is authenticated with your Plotwist session token and limited to the prompt context required to respond. We partner only with vetted AI processors that act on our behalf, and they use the information solely to generate the requested text, artwork, or narration. These processors do not receive your password, payment information, or unrelated data.

Data Storage & Security

Your account data, stories, media, and analytics are stored on reputable cloud infrastructure located in the United States. We rely on encrypted connections, managed authentication, least-privilege access controls, monitoring, and automated deletion tooling to safeguard your information. Despite these safeguards, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

If you access Plotwist from another country, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other jurisdictions where our service providers operate. When we transfer data from the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms and maintain contractual protections with each processor.

Data Sharing & Service Providers

We do not sell your data. We share information only with trusted processors that help us deliver, secure, and support the Service, and each provider is bound by confidentiality and data-protection obligations:

  • Cloud Infrastructure & Analytics: Managed hosting, databases, storage, and monitoring services keep Plotwist available, synchronized, and reliable.
  • Authentication & Payments: Apple and Google manage Sign in with Apple, Google Sign-In, push notifications, and App Store billing while keeping your account credentials secure.
  • AI & Media Processing: Vetted AI and text-to-speech platforms transform your prompts into story content, visuals, and narration on our behalf.
  • Support & Communications: Email and help-desk tools process inbound privacy or support requests sent to plotwist@livegreen.io.

Each provider receives only the information needed to perform its role, and we may also share limited information when required by law, to enforce our Terms, or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

Legal Bases for Processing (EU/UK)

When European Economic Area or United Kingdom privacy laws apply, we process personal data only when we have a lawful basis:

  • Contract: To provide Plotwist, personalize stories, maintain your account, and fulfill subscription purchases.
  • Legitimate Interests: To secure the Service, prevent abuse, measure engagement, and improve existing or new features while balancing your rights and expectations.
  • Consent: When you opt in to optional analytics, marketing communications, or other discretionary features. You may withdraw consent at any time in the app or by contacting us.
  • Legal Obligations: To comply with financial recordkeeping, taxation, regulatory reporting, and requests from law-enforcement authorities.

You may contact us to object to processing based on legitimate interests or to withdraw consent without affecting the lawfulness of processing that occurred before your withdrawal.

Your Rights & Controls

You have the right to:

  • Access, update, or correct your profile information inside the app
  • Download your data by using the “Request My Data” option in Settings → Privacy & Legal (fulfilled via email within 30 days)
  • Delete your account at any time via Settings → Account → Delete Account
  • Toggle analytics tracking and adjust notification preferences
  • Opt out of marketing emails by using the unsubscribe link or contacting us directly

EU/UK users may also exercise data portability and objection rights by contacting us. California residents can submit access or deletion requests and are informed that Plotwist does not sell personal data. We respond to all verified privacy requests within 30 days.

Push Notifications

With your permission, we send push notifications about new stories, featured creators, and account activity. Your Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) device token is stored with your account so we can deliver notifications. You can disable notifications at any time in iOS Settings → Notifications → Plotwist.

Children's Privacy & Age Verification

Plotwist is rated 13+ in the App Store. Apple handles age-based availability before download, and we do not collect your birth date inside the app. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we collected information from a child, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

Account Deletion & Data Retention

You can delete your account anytime via Settings → Account → Delete Account. This triggers an automated Firebase Function that removes your stories, analytics, preferences, feeds, comments, and media within 30 days, except where we are legally required to retain limited information (for example, financial records). Cached AI outputs and aggregated analytics may remain in anonymized form for up to 24 months for system integrity.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect new features or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date above and notify you in-app or via email if the changes are material. Continued use of Plotwist after the update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Us

For privacy inquiries or to submit a data request, contact us at:

Email: plotwist@livegreen.io