This Privacy Policy explains what data BackMe (“we”, “us”) handles when you use the BackMe mobile app, why, and the choices you have. Plain language first; legal phrasing only where it's genuinely useful.
1. The short version
- No accounts. BackMe does not offer sign-up, sign-in, or user accounts of any kind. We do not ask for your name, email, phone number, or password to use the app.
- No server-side database for your data. Your emergency contacts, saved messages, and alert settings live only on your device. We do not have a copy.
- Email is the only thing that ever leaves your device. And only when a timer actually expires. The email itself is delivered through SendGrid (Twilio Inc.).
- No advertising, no tracking, no data sales. Ever.
2. Data stored on your device
The following is stored locally in the app's on-device storage and never transmitted to us:
- Emergency contacts— the names and email addresses you save for alerts.
- Your default alert message and timer preferences.
- Local alert history, if any — what was sent and when.
Because this data lives on your device, deleting the app removes it completely. There is nothing on our side to delete.
3. Data sent only when an alert fires
When a safety timer expires without being canceled, the app composes an email and hands it to our email-delivery provider (see § 4). The payload contains only what is needed to deliver the alert:
- The recipient email address(es) you selected for that alert.
- The message you wrote (or the default you configured).
- Your location, only if you enabled GPS for that timer. If GPS is off, no coordinates are included.
Until a timer expires, none of this leaves your device. If you cancel the timer in time, no email is ever sent.
4. Third-party service: SendGrid
Alert emails are delivered through SendGrid (Twilio Inc.), our email-delivery provider. The email payload described in § 3 is transmitted to SendGrid over HTTPS solely so SendGrid can deliver the message to your contacts. SendGrid's handling of that email is governed by their own terms and privacy policy. We do not share your data with any other third parties.
5. What we do not do
- We do not create accounts or profiles for you.
- We do not maintain a server-side database of your contacts, messages, or location.
- We do not sell, rent, or trade your data.
- We do not use your data for advertising or behavioural tracking.
- We do not read your address book or contact list outside of the entries you explicitly type or import into the app.
6. Permissions the app may request
- Location (optional). Used only to attach coordinates to an alert email when you have enabled GPS for that timer. You can deny or revoke this permission at any time.
- Notifications (optional). Used to remind you that a timer is running.
- Background execution.Required so the timer can keep running after you put the phone away. Subject to your device's OS-level limits.
7. Your choices and rights
- Add or delete contacts in the app at any time.
- Turn GPS on or off per timer.
- Uninstall the app to remove all locally stored BackMe data from your device.
- Because we do not hold a copy of your data, there is no account-deletion or data-export request to file with us. If you want a SendGrid email log corrected or removed, contact us and we'll help where possible.
8. Children's privacy
BackMe is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect data from them.
9. Security
On-device data is protected by your device's standard application-sandbox protections. Data sent to SendGrid is transmitted over HTTPS. No system is perfectly secure, so please also use strong device-level protections (passcode, biometrics, OS updates).
10. Changes to this policy
If we materially update this policy we'll change the “Last updated” date and, where appropriate, surface a notice in the app.
11. Contact
Questions about how BackMe handles data? Reach us via the Contact page.