RiverSky Labs ("I", "me", or "my") is the trading name of a sole developer. I built BackChat! as a mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled when you use the App.
1. Information We Collect
BackChat! is designed with your privacy as a core principle. I do not collect, transmit, or store any personal information on my own servers. The App has no proprietary cloud backend and no user accounts.
Audio Recordings: The App uses your device's microphone to record your voice during gameplay. These recordings are processed entirely on-device using a custom native module (native-audio-processing) built into the App. Audio data is never uploaded, transmitted, or shared with me or any third party. All audio reversal and playback occurs locally.
Game Preferences: The App stores gameplay preferences (such as player names, tutorial tip dismissal states, and game settings) locally on your device using AsyncStorage. This data never leaves your device.
Subscription Data: If you subscribe to BackChat! Pro, your purchase is processed by Google Play (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS) and managed through RevenueCat (a third-party subscription management service). I do not have access to your payment details. RevenueCat receives an anonymous app user ID to track entitlement status. See Section 6 for details.
Analytics & Crash Data: The App uses Google Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics solely to help me improve the App and fix issues. This data includes: app usage events (such as games started, screens viewed, and features used), device information (device model, operating system version, and screen size), crash logs and non-fatal error reports, and an anonymous Firebase instance ID. This data is collected exclusively to support and improve BackChat! — it is never used for advertising, profiling, or sold to third parties. Analytics data is not linked to your identity. See Section 6 for details.
I do not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, or location data. Device-level identifiers may be processed by third-party services (Google AdMob, Google Firebase, RevenueCat) as described in Section 6.
2. Microphone Permission
BackChat! requests access to your device's microphone solely for the core gameplay mechanic — recording your spoken attempts at reversed phrases. The microphone is only activated when you explicitly press and hold the Record button during a game turn. Audio data is captured by expo-audio, processed locally by the native-audio-processing native module for reversal, and stored entirely on your device. Microphone data never leaves your device.
3. Storage & File Access
On Android, the App may request storage access to allow you to download or save audio recordings to your device's Downloads folder via the Android MediaStore API. On iOS, saved recordings are stored in the App's Documents directory, accessible via the Files app. This is entirely user-initiated and optional.
4. Data Storage
All gameplay data generated by the App (audio recordings, game state, and preferences) is stored locally on your device. I have no access to this data. You can delete all App data at any time by clearing the App's storage in your device settings (Android: Settings > Apps > BackChat > Clear Data; iOS: delete and reinstall the App) or by uninstalling the App.
Subscription entitlement data is managed by RevenueCat and Google Play or the Apple App Store, not stored locally by the App beyond a cached status flag.
5. Sharing
The App includes a sharing feature powered by react-native-share. This feature is only activated when you explicitly choose to share a recording or result. Sharing is handled entirely by your device's native share sheet — I do not intercept, log, or transmit any shared content. The destination of shared content is determined solely by the app or service you select on your device.
6. Third-Party Services
BackChat! integrates the following third-party services:
Google AdMob: The App displays advertisements to free-tier users via Google AdMob. AdMob may collect device identifiers, IP address, and ad interaction data to serve and measure ads. On iOS, the App requests your permission via the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework before allowing AdMob to use your device's advertising identifier for personalised ads. If you decline, only non-personalised ads are shown. BackChat! Pro subscribers do not see ads and no ad-related data is collected for them. For details, see Google's Privacy Policy.
RevenueCat: The App uses RevenueCat to manage subscription entitlements for BackChat! Pro. RevenueCat receives an anonymous app user ID and purchase receipt data from Google Play to verify subscription status. RevenueCat does not receive your name, email, or payment details. For details, see RevenueCat's Privacy Policy.
Google Play Billing / Apple App Store: In-app purchases are processed by Google Play (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS). Payment information is handled entirely by the respective platform and is not accessible to me. For details, see Google's Privacy Policy or Apple's Privacy Policy.
Google Firebase Analytics: The App uses Firebase Analytics to collect anonymous usage data such as screen views, feature usage events, and app engagement metrics. This data is collected solely to help me understand how the App is used, identify areas for improvement, and prioritise new features. It is not used for advertising purposes or shared with third parties for their own use. Firebase Analytics may collect device identifiers (Firebase instance ID, Android Advertising ID or iOS Identifier for Advertisers if available), device model, operating system version, and general location (country/region level, derived from IP address). Data is retained for 14 months. No personally identifiable information is collected. For details, see Firebase Privacy Information and Google's Privacy Policy.
Google Firebase Crashlytics: The App uses Firebase Crashlytics to collect crash reports and non-fatal error logs solely to help me identify and fix bugs and stability issues. This data includes stack traces, device state at the time of the crash, device model, and operating system version. Crash data is retained for 90 days. No personally identifiable information is included in crash reports. For details, see Firebase Privacy Information.
The App does not share gameplay data, audio recordings, or player names with any third party.
7. Children's Privacy
BackChat! is a general-audience party game. I do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children under the age of 13. Third-party services (AdMob, RevenueCat) have their own policies regarding children's data. The App requests non-personalised ads only.
8. Data Security
Gameplay data remains on your device and is never transmitted to my servers. The security of locally stored data is governed by your device's own security measures (screen lock, encryption, etc.). Data transmitted to third-party services (AdMob, RevenueCat) is protected by those services' security practices.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. I encourage you to review this page periodically.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact: