Arvela Privacy Policy
Last updated: August 22, 2026
Privacy Principles of Arvela
Arvela is designed from the ground up to respect your privacy completely:
- Zero Data Collection: We do not collect, store, or transmit any personal information, usage metrics, or photos.
- 100% On-Device Processing: Scanning, thumbnail generation, and database indexing are performed entirely on your local Mac.
- Zero Network Communication: Arvela has no network entitlements and makes zero internet requests.
- Strict Read-Only Guarantee: Your original files are never altered, moved, renamed, or deleted.
- No Accounts or Tracking: No registration, no ads, no subscriptions, and no analytics SDKs.
1. Information We Do Not Collect
Arvela does not collect any data from your device. Specifically:
- Photos & Metadata: Your photo files, EXIF tags, directory names, and file paths never leave your local storage.
- Personal Identifiers: The app does not ask for or collect names, email addresses, device IDs, or IP addresses.
- Usage Analytics: There are no third-party tracking, advertising, or telemetry frameworks embedded in Arvela.
2. Local Storage & macOS App Sandbox
Arvela operates strictly inside Apple's App Sandbox environment on macOS. Its security entitlements are strictly limited:
com.apple.security.app-sandbox: Confines the app to its designated sandbox container.com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-only: Grants read-only access exclusively to the folders you choose via the file picker.com.apple.security.files.bookmarks.app-scope: Saves security-scoped bookmarks locally so you can browse the same folders upon reopening the app.
3. Required Reason API Disclosures
In accordance with Apple App Store policies, Arvela declares the following API usage in its PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy manifest:
UserDefaults (CA92.1)
Used strictly for persisting local user interface settings (such as window tab bar visibility preferences).
File Timestamp (3B52.1 / C617.1)
Used solely to read photo creation and modification timestamps for timeline grouping and incremental change detection.
4. Zero Network Requests
Arvela has no outgoing or incoming network access capabilities. It functions entirely without an active internet connection.
5. Inquiries and Customer Support
If you send us an inquiry through our online contact form, any details you provide (such as your name and email address) will be used solely to answer your questions and assist with support. We will never sell, share, or disclose your information to any third party.
6. Contact Information
For any questions or privacy inquiries regarding Arvela, please visit our online contact form: