1. The short version
- Your source video is analyzed on your device. It is not uploaded to ReelClip servers.
- AI runs entirely on-device via Apple Intelligence. No API keys, no cloud round-trips, no third-party AI providers.
- The personal data ReelClip stores directly relates to account and subscription status, such as an email address or app account token used to look up your tier and subscription entitlement records.
- We use TelemetryDeck for privacy-focused product analytics. It receives an anonymized per-installation identifier, aggregate product actions, timestamps rounded to the nearest hour, and app/device metadata. We do not use advertising SDKs or cross-app tracking.
2. Data we collect
2.1 Account and subscription data
If you use the account page to check your subscription status, we process the email address or app account token you provide to find your tier and active entitlements. If you purchase a subscription, Apple and / or Stripe send us entitlement information that confirms your tier. We do not see or store your credit card number, billing address, or Apple ID password.
2.2 iOS permissions
ReelClip requests the following iOS permissions. We only ask when the feature is first used. You can revoke any of these in iOS Settings at any time.
- Photos library (read): to load a source video you have selected via the system Photos picker.
- Photos library (add): to save the final exported clips you confirm in the export preview.
- Speech recognition: to generate the local transcript used by the Transcript mode and the SRT / VTT subtitle export. Recognition runs on-device via Apple's
SFSpeechRecognizerwithrequiresOnDeviceRecognitionenabled. Audio is not sent to Apple servers. - Apple Intelligence: to run the AI Assist cut planner on-device via the
FoundationModelsframework. Requires iOS 26+ and Apple Intelligence enabled in iOS Settings. The on-device AI runtime processes your feature pack locally; no video, audio, or analysis data is transmitted. - File access (Files / external drives): to import a video you have chosen from the Files app or a connected drive, and to export your
.reelclipproject files.
2.3 Product analytics (TelemetryDeck)
We use TelemetryDeck GmbH's privacy-focused analytics service to understand how people use ReelClip, where they stop in product flows, and which features help users reach export and subscription outcomes. TelemetryDeck receives only the following analytics data:
- An anonymized, non-reversible identifier for the app installation. The iOS device identifier used for this purpose is hashed before transmission.
- Event names for app launches and aggregate product actions such as onboarding steps, media processing outcomes, paywall actions, and export outcomes.
- Timestamps rounded to the nearest hour, plus app and device metadata such as app version, build, operating system, device model, and platform.
- Limited non-content parameters such as plan or mode categories, clip counts, entitlement state, and success or failure outcomes.
We do not send source video, audio, transcripts, prompts, filenames, rendered clips, email addresses, or subscription receipts to TelemetryDeck. TelemetryDeck states that it does not store IP addresses and does not use analytics data for advertising or cross-app tracking. See its Privacy FAQ and Privacy Policy.
2.4 What we never collect
- Your source video or any rendered clip.
- Your audio, transcript, or any AI feature pack sent to the on-device model.
- Your contact list, photo library contents, location, or un-anonymized personal identifiers.
- Crash reports or diagnostic data unrelated to the aggregate product analytics described above.
3. How we use data
We use the data we collect only to:
- Show your current tier and subscription status when you request an account lookup.
- Verify your subscription tier and unlock the corresponding features.
- Respond to your support requests if you email us.
- Measure aggregate feature usage, identify drop-off in product flows, improve reliability, and evaluate subscription conversion.
- Comply with legal obligations (e.g. tax records for paid subscriptions).
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing or advertising.
4. AI processing (fully on-device)
ReelClip ships with an "AI Assist" cut planner powered by Apple Intelligence, the on-device foundation-model framework that Apple introduced in iOS 26. When you tap "Ask Apple Intelligence" in AI mode, ReelClip builds a compact feature pack from your video (audio energy levels, silence markers, planned segment durations, and your edit prompt) and passes it to the on-device model. The model runs entirely on your phone's Neural Engine:
- No part of the feature pack leaves your device.
- No video, audio, or transcript is uploaded to Apple, ReelClip, or any third party.
- No API key is required and none is stored. Apple Intelligence is a system framework, not a service.
- If your device is ineligible (pre-iOS 26, or Apple Intelligence disabled in iOS Settings), AI Assist is unavailable. ReelClip does not silently fall back to a cloud provider. The other three cut modes (Cut, Transcript, Splice) remain fully usable on any device.
Apple Intelligence is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy. Apple has stated that Foundation Models requests are processed on-device; the on-device AI runtime does not send prompts to Apple servers.
5. Project data on your device
ReelClip stores your projects, planned ranges, scene metadata, and highlight drafts in a JSON file inside the app's sandbox (Application Support / ReelClip /). This directory is excluded from iCloud backup. The data never leaves your device unless you explicitly share a .reelclipproject file via the iOS share sheet, AirDrop, or Files.
6. Children
ReelClip is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, contact us and we will delete it where required.
7. International data transfers
Our account and entitlement backend (Convex) is hosted in the European Union. Stripe and Apple may process payment data in the United States or other regions under their own privacy frameworks. The on-device AI runtime does not introduce any cross-border data flow.
If you are in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or California, you have the right to access, correct, port, or delete the personal data we hold about you. Email jude@reelclips.app to exercise these rights. We respond within 30 days.
8. Data retention
- Account and entitlement records: while needed to provide subscription status, support, and legal records.
- Subscription receipts: 7 years (tax / accounting obligations).
- Support emails: 2 years.
- On-device project data: until you delete the app or the project.
9. Security
We use industry-standard transport security (HTTPS / TLS) for all network communication. Because ReelClip has no API-key storage and no password-based account system, there is no credential material for us to protect beyond the lookup information and subscription records described above.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy as the product evolves. The "Last updated" date at the top will change. Material changes (e.g. adding a new data category) will be announced via an app update release note or an email to active subscribers.
11. Contact
Questions, data requests, or complaints:
- Email: jude@reelclips.app
- Post: see Terms page for the controlling entity and address.
12. Manage your data and subscription
You can review and manage your App Store subscription, including cancellation, at any time in iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. You can also manage your ReelClip account and request data deletion at reelclips.app / account.