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Our Commitment to Privacy
At Needl, your privacy comes first.
We build the app with the same principles you expect from great Apple-focused software: minimal data collection, complete transparency, and your information always under your control.
Needl stores your collection, wishlist, and settings securely in your personal iCloud account using CloudKit — meaning your data stays yours. We never sell it, share it, or use it for advertising. Features like Camera access, Microphone access, Ask AI, and streaming integrations only operate when you explicitly choose to enable them.
If you’d like to understand exactly how Needl handles your data, you can read our full privacy policy below.
Needl Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 24, 2025
Needl (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how Needl collects, uses, and protects your information. By using Needl, you agree to the practices described below.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
Profile Information
When you create a profile, you may provide a name or username. Needl does not collect or store passwords — authentication is handled through your Apple ID.
Your Vinyl Collection
When you add albums, edit metadata, or manage your wishlist, this information is stored in your private iCloud / CloudKit database. We do not have access to this data.
Discogs Import Data
If you choose to import your Discogs collection, Needl processes this data on your device and stores the results in your iCloud database. We do not store or transmit this information to any external server.
1.2 Device Permissions
Needl requests certain permissions only to support core features:
Camera Access
Used solely for scanning barcodes to add records.
Needl does not record, save, or transmit images.
Microphone Access
Used only for the Listen feature, through on-device audio recognition (ShazamKit).
Audio is processed locally and never stored or uploaded.
Music Library Access
If you connect Apple Music or Spotify, Needl reads metadata (album, artist, cover art) to enhance your collection experience.
We do not modify your library or store streaming information on our servers.
1.3 Automatically Collected Data
Needl may collect limited, anonymous information such as:
Device model
iOS version
App version
Crash reports
Basic, non-identifiable analytics (app launches, subscription status)
This information helps us improve stability and performance.
Needl does not collect listening audio, track what you play, or gather personal behavioral data.
2. How Your Data Is Stored
Needl uses Apple CloudKit to store your data securely in your personal iCloud account. This means:
Your collection stays on your devices and iCloud.
We do not maintain any servers containing user data.
We cannot access or read your CloudKit records.
You have full control through your Apple ID and iCloud settings.
All CloudKit data is encrypted by Apple at rest and in transit.
If you delete the app, your data remains in your iCloud until you remove it manually.
3. How We Use Your Information
Needl uses your data to:
Display your record collection
Sync your library across devices
Power the Listen feature
Provide AI answers through Ask AI
Support Discogs imports
Offer personalized insights
Confirm subscription status
Improve app performance and stability
Needl does not use your data for:
Advertising
Marketing to third parties
Selling or sharing your data
Tracking you across apps or websites
4. Ask AI (On-Device Apple Foundation Models)
Needl’s Ask AI feature uses Apple’s on-device Foundation Models on supported devices.
All processing happens locally on your device
No data is sent to external servers
No OpenAI or third-party AI models are used
Queries may include text you provide, but this stays on your device
We do not store or access your Ask AI history
This ensures an extremely high level of privacy and security.
5. Subscriptions & Payments
Needl+ subscriptions are managed by Apple through App Store In-App Purchases.
We do not see or store your payment information
Apple handles all billing, receipts, cancellations, and refunds
You can manage subscriptions through Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions
We receive only a confirmation of active subscription status, without any personal financial data.
6. Third-Party Integrations
Needl integrates with:
Discogs API
Used for optional collection imports.
We do not send your stored data to Discogs.
Apple MusicKit
Used for displaying album art, track information, and insights.
We do not store your music library externally.
Spotify API
Used to retrieve basic metadata when connecting your Spotify account.
You may disconnect Spotify at any time.
ShazamKit (On Device)
Used to identify what’s playing on your turntable.
Audio is never saved or transmitted.
Apple Foundation Models (On Device)
Used only for Ask AI.
No cloud-based AI processing or external data sharing.
Each service may have its own privacy policy, but Needl does not share your personal data with them.
7. Children’s Privacy
Needl is not intended for users under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect data from children.
8. Data Retention & Deletion
Because Needl uses iCloud/CloudKit:
Your data remains in your iCloud account until you delete it
We cannot delete your data for you, as we do not control your iCloud
To delete your data:
Remove Needl from your device
Go to iCloud Settings → Manage Storage
Delete “Needl” data from iCloud if desired
You may also contact us for guidance.
9. Security
Needl relies on Apple’s built-in encryption through iCloud and the iOS security framework.
Data is encrypted at rest
Data is encrypted in transit
No third-party servers store your collection
No external AI models process your content