Privacy Policy

1. Scope and operator

This Privacy Policy explains the processing of personal information in the MakeUse mobile applications and related websites (collectively, the “Services”). The Services are provided by Make Use (“we,” “us” or “our”). Our privacy contact is support@makeuse.app.

For personal information whose processing purposes and means we determine, we act as the personal information handler or data controller under applicable law. Cloud storage, app stores and system services you independently select are also governed by their providers’ policies. This Policy does not relieve us of responsibility for our own processing.

Features vary by platform and version. We process information for the features you actually use; listing a feature here does not activate it or grant a device permission. Local records, copies in your personal cloud service and online records held by us are separate categories of data.

2. Sources, categories and purposes

2.1 Local records and attachments

Transaction amounts, currencies, account names, categories, notes, tags, tasks, schedules, documents, images and attachments that you create, import or edit support recording, display, search, statistics and editing. These records are primarily stored on your device. Relevant content is transmitted to other services when you enable synchronization, submit an AI request or send feedback, as described for that feature.

Your content may include personal or sensitive personal information. Avoid providing unnecessary identity documents, full payment card details, passwords or private information about others. Manually recording transactions, importing a file or naming an account after a bank does not give us access to your bank, WeChat or Alipay account.

2.2 Optional cloud synchronization

When you enable iCloud / CloudKit, Google Drive or OneDrive synchronization, the app processes the selected cloud account identifier, authorization status, necessary access credentials, and the content, attachments and version information to be synchronized. This connects your cloud storage, synchronizes devices and resolves conflicts. Information comes from your device and the cloud service you authorize.

CloudKit uses your system account; Google Drive uses application-specific data storage permissions; OneDrive uses application folder permissions. Authorization may also involve account identifiers and basic profile information provided by the cloud service, as shown on its authorization screen. We do not ask you to provide your cloud account password to Make Use.

Synchronized content is transmitted to your chosen cloud service. You may disable synchronization or revoke access in that account. Disabling synchronization, revoking access, clearing local content and deleting cloud copies are separate actions. Disabling synchronization does not automatically delete previously uploaded content.

2.3 AI recognition, organization and scheduling

When you submit an AI request, our server receives it and sends the content necessary for that feature to the DeepSeek model service. In addition to the text or images you select, a request may include relevant context:

AI output may reproduce personal information from your input or context. Results and necessary processing records may be retained temporarily for request recovery, allowance checks and troubleshooting. Check screenshots and context before submission and remove unrelated personal information.

You may choose not to use AI. Declining AI processing does not affect unrelated basic local features.

2.4 Device permissions and features

You can manage permissions in device settings. Declining a permission affects features that depend on it, not unrelated features. Granting a system permission does not itself authorize us to upload all information accessible through that permission.

2.5 Purchases, subscriptions and restoration

When you purchase or restore entitlements through Apple, we receive signed transaction receipts, product identifiers, transaction and original transaction identifiers, purchase identity identifiers, purchase and expiry times, and trial, renewal, refund and revocation status from the app and Apple. These support transaction verification, entitlements, fraud prevention and support.

Apple processes payments. Transaction verification does not give us your full payment card number or Apple account password. Purchase verification and online features may create purchase identity records associated with you even if you do not separately register a MakeUse account.

2.6 Feedback and support

When you submit feature suggestions, issue reports or icon requests, we process the text, images and feedback identifiers you provide. Our server writes feedback to Feishu multidimensional tables and attachment storage for review and follow-up. Email support also involves your sender address, correspondence and attachments. Do not include passwords, access tokens or unrelated sensitive information.

2.7 Websites, technical information and local storage

When you visit a website or call an online endpoint, hosting and network services process your IP address, requested address, request time and necessary technical information supplied by your browser or client. This supports delivery, security and troubleshooting.

The documentation website stores preferences such as theme settings in browser local storage. Search uses a static index in your browser and does not require sending search terms to a separate search service. Clearing browser storage resets those preferences. If we introduce non-essential cookies, analytics or advertising technologies that require consent, we will provide notice and obtain the required consent before using them.

3. Legal grounds and sensitive information

Depending on the purpose and applicable law, we process information where necessary to provide the service you request, with your consent, to comply with legal obligations, or on another ground permitted by law. An optional feature may be unavailable without information it requires; other features that do not require that information remain unaffected.

You may withdraw consent where processing relies on consent. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of earlier processing. We stop subsequent processing based on that consent, except where information may lawfully be retained on another basis. We will not infer consent to a new purpose solely from continued use when fresh consent is required.

Financial account information in your records, and health or certain location-related information you enter, may be sensitive personal information. Where we process such information, we will limit the purpose and scope, apply appropriate safeguards, and meet applicable requirements for additional notice and separate consent. This Policy does not replace a specific notice or legally required separate consent.

4. Recipients and third-party services

We disclose personal information only to provide features you request, under valid authorization, to meet legal obligations, or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.

Providers acting on our behalf may process information only within agreed purposes, instructions and applicable law. Platforms you independently choose have their own responsibilities under their policies. We remain responsible for our own integrations, notices and disclosures.

We may provide necessary information to competent authorities or professional advisers where required by law, valid legal process or the lawful protection of rights, after considering the basis and scope. If a business transfer or merger involves personal information, we will provide legally required notice of the recipient and require the recipient to assume applicable protection obligations. Changes requiring fresh authorization will follow the corresponding procedures.

This Policy does not authorize us to sell your personal information, publish private content or use it for unrelated advertising targeting.

5. Storage locations and international transfers

Local content is stored on your device. The location of synchronized copies depends on your chosen cloud service and its settings. The documentation website and deployed online API currently operate in Alibaba Cloud’s Hong Kong region.

For transfers of personal information outside mainland China, we will provide legally required information about the overseas recipient, purposes, methods, categories and means of exercising rights, obtain required separate consent and complete applicable transfer procedures before transfer. Where EEA, UK or other transfer rules apply, we will use a legally permitted transfer mechanism and provide required information. This draft does not represent that standard contractual clauses, certifications or other unverified procedures are already in place.

6. Retention and deletion

We retain personal information only for as long as needed for the disclosed purposes, considering service requirements, sensitivity, security needs, legal obligations and specific disputes. Information that must be retained will be subject to appropriate purpose and access restrictions.

When the retention period ends and there is no lawful basis to retain information, we will delete or anonymize it. Information that cannot temporarily be deleted for technical reasons will be isolated and processed only for storage and necessary security until deletion is possible. We will explain any applicable lawful retention exception to a deletion request.

7. Your rights and how to exercise them

Subject to applicable conditions and legal exceptions, you may request access, copies, correction, completion, deletion or portability of personal information; withdraw consent; restrict or object to certain processing; and request an explanation of our processing practices.

• Manage local content using the app’s available viewing, editing, export and deletion functions.
• Manage cloud authorization and content in the app and relevant platform. Revoking access does not automatically cancel subscriptions.
• For online records held by us, contact support@makeuse.app with the request type and necessary feedback identifier or purchase reference.
• If there is no self-service closure or deletion function in your version, use that email to request handling of your service identity and associated records. We will explain the scope and any legally retained information.

We may request information necessary to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure or deletion. Do not send passwords or full payment card details. We will respond within applicable statutory periods and explain an extension or refusal and available remedies. Where content is held only on your device or personal cloud account and we cannot access it directly, we will explain that limitation and provide instructions.

8. Regional information

Mainland China. You have rights under applicable personal information protection laws. Sensitive information, disclosures to other handlers and transfers outside mainland China will follow the additional procedures applicable to those activities. A single acceptance of this Policy does not replace them.

European Economic Area and United Kingdom. Where the GDPR or relevant UK law applies, our grounds depend on purpose: contractual necessity for requested service delivery and entitlements; consent for optional processing covered by that consent; legal obligations; and legitimate interests necessary for security, fraud prevention and troubleshooting, provided your interests and rights do not override them. You may object to processing based on legitimate interests, request restriction or portability where applicable, and complain to a competent data protection authority. AI organization and scheduling are assistive features, not a means by which we make solely automated decisions about you with legal or similarly significant effects. If that scope changes, we will provide prior notice and required safeguards.

Certain US states, including California. Where relevant state privacy laws actually apply to us and your request, you may have rights to know, access, correct, delete or obtain portable information; opt out of legally defined sale, sharing, targeted advertising or certain profiling; and exercise applicable non-discrimination and appeal rights. These legal terms may differ from ordinary usage.

9. Security

We use HTTPS for online transmission and manage access permissions and service credentials according to operational needs. Security measures cannot eliminate every risk. An app lock does not mean that all local databases, cloud copies or backups are encrypted or protected with end-to-end encryption.

Protect your devices and cloud accounts, and manage backups, shared devices and lock-screen content. If a personal information security incident occurs, we will take remedial measures and meet applicable reporting and notification duties.

10. Children and minors

This draft proposes a general personal productivity service that is not specifically directed to children under fourteen. Higher age thresholds or additional protections required elsewhere will apply. Minors should use the Services under guardian guidance and with required consent.

Before providing relevant services to children whose processing requires guardian consent, we will implement specific rules, guardian consent and appropriate safeguards. If you believe we have improperly processed a child’s information, contact support so we can investigate and take appropriate action, including deletion.

11. Changes and contact

We will display the version and effective date. Material changes to purposes, information categories, recipients or rights will be prominently communicated through appropriate means. We will obtain fresh consent where required. Updates do not retrospectively release us from existing obligations.

The Chinese and English versions are intended to have equivalent meaning. Translation differences do not limit your statutory rights. Contact support@makeuse.app for clarification.