Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 15, 2025

1. Introduction

LiteStep ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our macOS applications (including Writers Studio), iOS applications (including Quick Bill Reminder), or use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • Name and email address (when you contact us or subscribe to updates)
  • Any information you provide in contact forms or support requests
  • Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
  • License key and email address (when activating Writers Studio Direct edition)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website or use our applications, we may automatically collect certain information, including:

  • Browser type and version (website)
  • Device information (device type, operating system, unique device identifiers)
  • IP address
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages (website)
  • App usage data and analytics
  • Crash reports and performance data
  • Referring website addresses (website)

2.3 Writers Studio — Specific Data Collection

Writers Studio is available in two editions, each with different data practices:

Direct Edition ($79 Lifetime License):

  • Manuscripts & Documents: Stored locally on your Mac using SwiftData. Never transmitted to our servers.
  • AI Requests: When you use AI features, requests are sent directly from your Mac to your chosen AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google) using your own API keys. We do not relay, store, or have access to these requests.
  • Local AI (Ollama): All processing stays on your Mac. No network requests are made.
  • License Activation: We collect a hardware fingerprint hash (SHA-256 of system identifiers), a machine name you provide, and the email associated with your license key. This data is stored in our license server to enforce the 3-device activation limit.
  • Telemetry: None. The Direct edition does not send analytics or telemetry data.

App Store Edition (Free):

  • Manuscripts & Documents: Stored locally on your Mac. iCloud sync available through Apple's infrastructure.
  • AI Requests: When you use AI features, requests pass through our encrypted cloud proxy (Cloudflare Worker) and are forwarded to the AI provider. We do not log or store the content of these requests. Only token counts for billing purposes are tracked.
  • Subscriptions & Purchases: Handled entirely by Apple through the App Store. We receive transaction receipts from Apple but not your payment details.
  • Session Tokens: A device-verified session token is used for API authentication. Stored locally in Keychain.

2.4 iOS Applications — Specific Data Collection

Our iOS applications may collect the following types of data:

Data Linked to Your Identity:

  • Contact Info: Email address - used for app functionality
  • Financial Info: Payment information and purchase history - used for app functionality
  • User Content: Emails, text messages, customer support communications, and other user-generated content - used for app functionality
  • Identifiers: User ID - used for app functionality
  • Purchases: Purchase history and transaction data - used for app functionality

Data Not Linked to Your Identity:

  • Usage Data: Product interaction data - used for analytics and product personalization

Quick Bill Reminder Specific:

The Quick Bill Reminder app stores all bill data locally on your device using encrypted storage (AES-256). Optional cloud sync is available through Supabase with end-to-end encryption. When using Gmail bill detection (Premium feature), we access your Gmail account only with your explicit permission through secure OAuth, and we do not store or transmit email content to our servers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain our website, applications, and services
  • Process your transactions and send related information
  • Validate and manage software license activations (Writers Studio Direct)
  • Route AI requests through our cloud proxy (Writers Studio App Store edition)
  • Respond to your comments, questions, and customer service requests
  • Send you technical notices, updates, and support messages
  • Send push notifications (with your permission)
  • Monitor and analyze usage and trends to improve user experience
  • Improve app performance and fix bugs
  • Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats

4. Third-Party Services

Our applications may integrate with third-party services. Below is a summary of third-party data processors relevant to Writers Studio:

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following situations:

  • With your consent or at your direction
  • With service providers who assist in operating our website and services
  • To comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests
  • To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
  • In connection with a business transaction (merger, sale, etc.)

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information. This includes:

  • TLS encryption for all API communications
  • Secure Keychain storage for credentials and tokens on macOS and iOS
  • SHA-256 hashing for machine fingerprints (license activation)
  • No plaintext storage of API keys on our servers

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and track information about your activities on our website. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

Our applications may use analytics tools and SDKs to collect usage data. You can manage tracking preferences through your device settings or app settings.

8. Your Data Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access to your personal information
  • Correction of inaccurate data
  • Deletion of your personal information
  • Restriction or objection to processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdrawal of consent

For Writers Studio Direct edition, you can deactivate your license and remove device data at activate.litestep.com. To exercise other rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through our support page or email [email protected].