Photon SSTV Privacy Policy
Photon SSTV for iPhone and iPad · Effective 29 September 2026
In short: Photon SSTV has no accounts, no advertising, no analytics and no tracking. We don't collect any information about you. Everything the app uses stays on your device, except one anonymous download of the space station's orbit data.
This policy explains what Photon SSTV ("the app"), made by Software Artisans LLC ("we"), does with information on your iPhone or iPad.
Information we collect
None. We have no servers that receive data from the app, and the app contains no third-party analytics, advertising or tracking code. We never see your location, audio, pictures or settings.
What the app uses, on your device
- Microphone and audio input. Used only while you're listening, to decode SSTV pictures from your radio or the room. Audio is processed in memory as it arrives. It isn't recorded, stored or sent anywhere.
- Location (optional). If you tap Use my location, the app takes one approximate fix, rounds it to about 1 km, and stores it on your device to predict when the ISS passes over you. It's never sent anywhere. You can enter a grid square instead, and then the app never asks for location access.
- Photos. To send a picture, you choose one photo with the system photo picker; the app only receives that photo, not your library. If you save a picture with Save Image, the app asks for permission only to add it to your library.
- Motion sensors and compass. The ISS tracker uses them to show where your phone is pointing. The readings are used live and not stored.
- Local network (optional). Only when you choose Network audio, the app listens on your local network for audio from your own SDR software. It doesn't send anything.
- Notifications (optional). ISS pass alerts are scheduled on your device. No push service is involved.
- Your pictures and settings. Decoded and sent pictures (the Gallery), your callsign, grid square and preferences are stored only on your device.
Network connections
- ISS orbit data. About once a day, the app downloads the space station's published orbit from CelesTrak, a public source of satellite data. The request contains no information about you. Like any website, CelesTrak can see the internet address the request comes from; see their policies for how they handle it.
- Links. Links such as Upcoming ISS Events and User Manual open in Safari, and the sites you visit have their own privacy policies.
Sharing and transmitting
- Sharing: pictures leave your device only when you share them with the system share sheet, to destinations you choose.
- Transmitting: a picture sent by radio is a public broadcast by nature. Your callsign is drawn on it, as amateur radio rules require to identify your station.
Apple and TestFlight
If you install Photon SSTV through the App Store or TestFlight, Apple may collect information such as crash reports, usage statistics or (in TestFlight) feedback you choose to send, according to your device settings and Apple's privacy policy. We may see crash reports and feedback that Apple shares with developers, but they don't identify you to us.
Keeping and deleting your data
Because everything is on your device, you're in control. Delete pictures in the Gallery, clear your settings in the app, or delete the app to remove all of its data. We hold no copy to delete.
Children
Photon SSTV is not directed at children under 13 and collects no personal information from anyone.
Changes
If this policy changes, we'll update this page and its effective date. We will not start collecting data without saying so here first.
Contact
Questions about privacy in Photon SSTV: email address to be added