ATMChat — Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Effective date: April 13, 2026  |  Last updated: April 13, 2026

This document contains both the Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use for ATMChat. Please read both sections carefully before using the App.

Part I — Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how ATMChat ("the App"), developed and published by Approve The Move ("we", "us", or "our"), handles information when you ("you" or "the user") download, install, or use the App on any supported device.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This policy applies to all versions of ATMChat distributed through the Apple App Store and any future platforms.

By downloading, installing, or using ATMChat, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App and remove it from your device.

2. Information We Collect

We do not collect, transmit, or process any personal data. ATMChat is designed from the ground up as a privacy-first, offline mesh messaging application. Specifically:

3. On-Device Storage

ATMChat stores data locally on your device using two storage mechanisms. This data is stored within the App's private sandbox, is not accessible to other apps, and never leaves your device except when explicitly transmitted to nearby peers during active messaging sessions (see Section 4).

3.1 UserDefaults

A small amount of non-personal preference data is stored using Apple's UserDefaults system:

This data is declared in our Privacy Manifest (PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy) under API category NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryUserDefaults with reason code CA92.1 (access to store and retrieve user preferences), as required by Apple.

3.2 ChatStorage (Custom Local Storage)

ATMChat uses a custom on-device storage system called ChatStorage to persist your messaging data locally. This includes:

All ChatStorage data resides exclusively within the App's iOS sandbox on your device. It is never uploaded, synced, backed up to any cloud service, or transmitted to any server. The only time message content leaves your device is when it is sent directly to a nearby peer over the local network (see Section 4).

How to delete: You can delete individual messages, clear entire conversations from within the App, or erase all locally stored data at any time by deleting ATMChat from your device. No residual data is retained after uninstallation.

4. Local Networking & Mesh Messaging

Local networking is the primary feature of ATMChat. The App enables direct, peer-to-peer mesh messaging between nearby devices using two Apple frameworks: MultipeerConnectivity (Wi-Fi) and CoreBluetooth (Bluetooth Low Energy). This section provides comprehensive detail about how your data is handled during messaging sessions.

4.1 How It Works

4.2 Data Transmitted During Sessions

During an active local messaging session, the following types of data may be transmitted between connected devices:

All of this data is transmitted directly between devices over the local network. None of it is routed through the internet, stored on any server, or accessible to anyone other than the connected peers in the session.

4.3 Mesh Routing & Privacy Implications

ATMChat supports mesh networking, which means messages can hop through intermediate devices to reach their intended recipient. This enables communication even when two devices are not directly within range of each other, as long as intermediate ATMChat devices form a connected path.

Important privacy details about mesh routing:

4.4 Encryption

All peer-to-peer communication is encrypted using Apple's built-in TLS encryption (MCSession with .required encryption preference). This means:

4.5 Session Lifecycle

When a messaging session ends (either by disconnecting, moving out of range, or closing the App), the active peer-to-peer connection is terminated. Message history that has been saved to ChatStorage (Section 3.2) persists locally on your device for your convenience. However, no session data is transmitted to any server, and no session metadata is retained beyond what is stored locally on your own device.

4.6 Media & File Privacy

Photos, videos, voice messages, contact cards, and files you send through ATMChat are transmitted directly to the recipient's device over the local peer-to-peer connection. They are never uploaded to any server, cloud storage service, or content delivery network. Once transmitted, the media exists only on the sender's and recipient's devices.

5. Third-Party Services & SDKs

ATMChat does not integrate, embed, or communicate with any third-party services, SDKs, APIs, or frameworks that collect, process, or transmit user data. The App uses exclusively Apple-provided first-party system frameworks:

Framework Purpose Data Collection
SwiftUI User interface rendering None
MultipeerConnectivity Local peer-to-peer Wi-Fi mesh networking None (local only)
CoreBluetooth Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking None (local only)
AVFoundation Audio and video recording for voice messages and media capture None
PhotosUI Photo and video selection from user's library None

We do not use Firebase, Google Analytics, Facebook SDK, Unity, AdMob, Crashlytics, Sentry, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or any other third-party data collection tool.

6. Apple's Data Practices

While ATMChat itself does not collect data, please be aware that Apple may independently collect certain information related to your use of the App Store, such as download statistics and crash logs. This data collection is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy, not ours, and is outside our control.

We have declared in App Store Connect that ATMChat collects no data linked to or tracking the user, as reflected on the App's App Store product page under "App Privacy."

7. Children's Privacy

ATMChat is rated 4+ by Apple and is designed to be suitable for users of all ages. The App does not contain violence, gambling (real or simulated), horror, mature themes, profanity, or any other objectionable material.

Because we do not collect any personal information from any user of any age, we are compliant with the following regulations regarding children's privacy:

Parents, guardians, and educators can allow children to use ATMChat with full confidence that no personal information is collected, stored, or shared.

8. Your Rights Under Applicable Laws

We respect and support the privacy rights granted to individuals under applicable data protection legislation worldwide.

8.1 European Economic Area (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and equivalent local laws grant you the following rights regarding personal data:

Since we do not collect, store, or process any personal data, there is no data for us to provide, correct, restrict, delete, port, or cease processing. Your local preferences and message history can be erased by deleting the App. If you believe we hold data about you in error, please contact us and we will investigate promptly.

Legal basis for processing: We do not process personal data. The on-device preference and message storage operates under legitimate interest (providing a functional messaging experience) and does not constitute data processing under GDPR as the data never leaves the device or reaches us.

Data controller: Approve The Move (contact details in Section 14).

8.2 California (CCPA / CPRA)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) grants you specific rights regarding personal information:

We do not collect, sell, or share personal information. We have not sold or shared personal information of any consumer in the preceding 12 months, nor do we intend to do so.

California's "Do Not Track" signals and Global Privacy Control (GPC) are respected by default, as the App does not track users in any capacity.

8.3 Qatar & Middle East

If you are located in Qatar or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, we comply with applicable data protection laws, including Qatar's Law No. 13 of 2016 on Personal Data Privacy. As we do not collect personal data, no registration with the Compliance and Data Protection Department is required.

8.4 Other Jurisdictions

Regardless of your location, the same principle applies: we do not collect personal data, so there is no data to exercise rights over. If your local laws grant you additional privacy rights, please contact us and we will cooperate fully.

9. Data Security

Although we do not collect or store personal data on any server, we employ the following security measures to protect your experience within the App:

10. Data Retention

We do not operate servers, databases, or cloud storage of any kind. We do not retain any user data. All data associated with ATMChat exists exclusively on your personal device:

Data Type Storage Location Retention Period
User preferences Device (UserDefaults) Until App is deleted
Message history Device (ChatStorage) Until deleted by user or App is deleted
Conversation list Device (ChatStorage) Until deleted by user or App is deleted
Read receipts Device (ChatStorage) Until deleted by user or App is deleted
Active session data Device (RAM only) Active session only

When you delete the App, all associated data is permanently removed from your device by the operating system.

11. International Considerations

ATMChat is available worldwide through the Apple App Store. Since the App does not collect or transmit any data to external servers, there are no international data transfers to disclose. All data remains on your local device at all times, regardless of your geographic location.

When you send messages to nearby peers, the data travels directly between devices over the local network and never crosses international boundaries via the internet or any remote infrastructure.

Part II — Terms of Use

12. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using ATMChat, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the App and remove it from your device.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Approve The Move ("we", "us", "our") governing your use of the App.

13. License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to download, install, and use ATMChat on any Apple device that you own or control, solely for your personal, non-commercial communication purposes.

This license is also governed by the Apple Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA), which is incorporated into these terms by reference.

14. Restrictions

You agree not to:

15. Intellectual Property

All rights, title, and interest in and to ATMChat — including but not limited to the software code, visual design, user interface elements, graphics, animations, sound effects, messaging protocols, and documentation — are and shall remain the exclusive property of Approve The Move.

The name "ATMChat", the Approve The Move name and logo, and all associated branding are trademarks of Approve The Move. Nothing in these terms grants you any right to use our trademarks without prior written permission.

16. User Content

ATMChat enables you to send messages, photos, videos, voice messages, files, and other content ("User Content") to nearby peers. You retain full ownership of all User Content you create and transmit through the App.

Because ATMChat operates without servers or cloud infrastructure, we never receive, store, access, or have any control over your User Content. You are solely responsible for the content you transmit to other users.

17. Message Delivery Disclaimer

ATMChat is an offline, peer-to-peer mesh messaging application. Message delivery is not guaranteed. Due to the inherent nature of local mesh networking:

You acknowledge and agree that ATMChat is not a substitute for reliable, guaranteed communication services. Do not rely on ATMChat for time-sensitive, emergency, or critical communications.

18. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

You acknowledge that the App is a communication tool that depends on local networking conditions and that your use of the App is at your sole risk.

19. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL APPROVE THE MOVE OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

regardless of the theory of liability (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise), even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

In jurisdictions that do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for certain damages, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law. In no event shall our total aggregate liability exceed the amount you paid for the App (which is zero, as the App is free).

20. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Approve The Move, and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, licensors, and suppliers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

21. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Qatar, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these terms or the App shall be resolved as follows:

  1. Informal resolution — You agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at support@approvethemove.com. We will attempt to resolve the dispute within 30 days.
  2. Binding arbitration — If informal resolution fails, any remaining dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered in Doha, Qatar, in accordance with the rules of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), unless otherwise required by your local laws.

Nothing in this section shall prevent either party from seeking injunctive or equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

For EU/EEA residents: Nothing in these terms limits your right to bring proceedings before the courts of your country of residence, as required by Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012.

For US residents: You and we each waive the right to a jury trial and the right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

22. Termination

These terms are effective until terminated. Your rights under these terms will terminate automatically and without notice if you fail to comply with any provision.

Upon termination, you must cease all use of the App and delete all copies from your devices. Sections 15 through 21 shall survive any termination of these terms.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the App (or any part thereof) at any time without notice or liability.

23. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

24. Entire Agreement

These terms, together with the Privacy Policy above and Apple's Licensed Application EULA, constitute the entire agreement between you and Approve The Move regarding your use of ATMChat. These terms supersede any prior agreements, communications, or understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the App.

General

25. Changes to This Document

We may update this Privacy Policy and Terms of Use from time to time to reflect changes in the App, our practices, or applicable laws. When we make changes:

Your continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. If you disagree with any changes, your sole remedy is to stop using the App and delete it from your device.

26. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, these Terms of Use, or our practices, please contact us:

We commit to responding to all privacy-related inquiries within 30 days of receipt. For GDPR-related requests, we will respond within the legally required timeframe of one calendar month.

Document version 2.0  |  Effective April 13, 2026  |  Applies to ATMChat v0.1 and all subsequent versions unless superseded.