Privacy Policy

TechArm Softwares Inc. (“TechArm,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information is processed when you download, install, or use Photo Backup: External Drive on compatible Apple devices, how that information is handled, and the choices available to you.

Photo Backup is designed as a local-first application. Its primary purpose is to help you back up photos and videos from your Apple device Photo Library — and, where you use Photo Backup Pro features, documents and other files from folders you explicitly grant — to external or remote storage that you control. Transfers occur between your device and destinations you select. We do not require you to create a TechArm account to use the App, and we do not provide Photo Backup as a hosted cloud storage service for your media.

By downloading or using the App, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App. If you have questions, contact us at info@techarm.ca.

This Privacy Policy is issued by:

• Legal name: TechArm Softwares Inc.
• Product: Photo Backup: External Drive (also referred to in the App Store and on-device as “Photo Backup”)
• Website: https://www.techarm.ca
• Privacy & support email: info@techarm.ca

Photo Backup is distributed through the Apple App Store. Apple Inc. and its affiliates operate the App Store and related purchase infrastructure independently of TechArm.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of July 18, 2026 (the “Effective Date”). The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent material revision. Continued use of the App after an update constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Policy, except where applicable law requires a different form of consent or notice.

For purposes of this Privacy Policy:

• “App” means Photo Backup: External Drive for iOS and iPadOS, including free features and Photo Backup Pro features unlocked via Apple In-App Purchase.
• “Personal Data” means information that identifies or can reasonably be linked to an identifiable natural person, as defined under applicable privacy laws (including GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, PIPEDA, and similar frameworks).
• “Device” means your iPhone, iPad, or other supported Apple device on which the App is installed.
• “Photo Library” means the photos, videos, Live Photos, and related assets accessible to the App through Apple PhotoKit after you grant permission.
• “Destination” means storage you configure in the App as a backup target — for example a folder on an external drive selected via the Files app, a NAS share over SMB, or an SFTP/WebDAV server.
• “On-device processing” means computation that occurs on your Device (or on storage you connect) without uploading your media to servers operated by TechArm for backup storage.
• “Pro” or “Photo Backup Pro” means the optional subscription entitlement managed through Apple StoreKit that unlocks additional destinations and library tools described in the App.
• “You” or “User” means the individual who downloads or uses the App.

Photo Backup is architected so that most operational data never leaves your Device except when you deliberately write backups to Destinations you choose, or when you voluntarily contact us. Categories of information involved in App operation include:

5.1 Information processed on your Device

• Photo and video metadata and content references needed to scan, index, copy, verify (including SHA-256 checksum comparison), restore, and display backup status — processed locally via Apple PhotoKit and stored in the App’s on-device database.
• File and folder metadata for folders you explicitly grant (Pro Files & document backup), including relative paths, filenames, sizes, modification dates, and content types, processed locally.
• Backup job state such as queued/copying/verifying/complete/failed statuses, retry counts, and hash verification results, stored in a local SQLite database on your Device.
• Destination configuration such as display names, destination types, security-scoped bookmarks for Files-based storage, and references to Keychain-stored credentials for network destinations.
• App preferences such as onboarding completion flags, preferred Destination selection, launch routing preferences, and local backup reminder schedule settings (UserDefaults on Device).
• Library intelligence artifacts (Pro) such as duplicate groups, face clusters, semantic embeddings, trip clusters, similar-photo rankings, screenshot lists, storage analytics summaries, and auto-album records — generated and stored on Device using Apple frameworks (including Vision and Core ML where applicable).
• Encryption material (Pro) for optional AES-256 vault encryption: cryptographic keys managed with device security facilities (including Secure Enclave–backed storage where available) and not transmitted to TechArm.

5.2 Information you choose to send to us

• Support correspondence: If you email info@techarm.ca, we receive the content of your message, your email address, and any device or diagnostic details you voluntarily include.

5.3 Information processed by Apple in connection with purchases

• In-App Purchases / subscriptions: Photo Backup Pro is sold through Apple’s StoreKit / App Store. Apple processes payment method details, Apple ID–related purchase records, and subscription status. TechArm receives entitlement signals necessary to unlock Pro features (for example, whether a verified subscription is active) but does not receive your full payment card number.

Except as described in this Policy, TechArm does not operate a backend that continuously collects your Photo Library contents.

In the ordinary operation of Photo Backup as currently designed, TechArm Softwares Inc. does not:

• Require creation of a TechArm user account, username, or password to use the App;
• Operate a Photo Backup cloud storage service that hosts your photos or videos on TechArm servers;
• Sell subscriptions for “TechArm cloud backup” of your media (Pro unlocks App features and destinations you connect — it is not a hosted cloud vault operated by TechArm);
• Upload your photos or videos to TechArm for backup, AI training, advertising, or resale;
• Sell your Personal Data;
• Serve third-party advertising inside the App;
• Use App Tracking Transparency–gated cross-app tracking for advertising;
• Collect precise continuous location for advertising or analytics products;
• Operate a mandatory analytics or crash-reporting pipeline that transmits your media content to TechArm (see Sections 17–18).

If a future version introduces optional analytics, crash reporting, or similar tooling, we will update this Policy and, where required, obtain appropriate consent or provide required notices before collecting additional categories of data.

With your permission, the App reads Photo Library assets to enumerate media, estimate backup size, copy bytes to Destinations, verify integrity, restore into the Photo Library, and (for Pro library tools) analyze media on Device.

Your photos remain under your control. TechArm Softwares Inc. cannot browse your Camera Roll from our offices, cannot download your library from the App without your Device and Destinations, and does not receive a remote feed of your media. The App does not inspect user content except as necessary to perform the features you invoke — for example, reading bytes to copy and hash them, or running on-device Vision / Core ML analysis for Pro library tools you open.

iCloud-optimized or cloud-placeholder assets that are not fully present on Device may be flagged and skipped until downloaded; the App does not silently invent copies of unavailable originals.

Photo Backup accesses external storage through Apple’s sandboxing model. Typical free-tier Destinations are folders you select with the system document picker / Files UI. The App stores a security-scoped bookmark so it can re-access that folder on later sessions, and re-validates access before backup runs. If a drive is reformatted, disconnected without proper ejection, or the bookmark becomes stale, the App may ask you to reconnect.

Compatible storage may include USB drives, SSDs, HDDs, SD cards, and other media Apple exposes through the Files framework or USB accessories supported by iOS/iPadOS. Compatibility depends on Apple’s platform capabilities, file systems, connectors, power requirements, and third-party hardware — not on TechArm’s ability to guarantee every accessory.

Backup files written to Destinations remain on hardware or network storage you control. TechArm does not receive a copy of those Destination contents.

The App helps you copy, organize, browse backup history, restore, and manage backup jobs. On Photo Backup Pro, you may also grant access to document folders via the Files framework for backup of non-photo files (documents, PDFs, archives, audio, and other types Apple exposes within the granted scope).

File management is limited to locations you authorize. The App does not claim arbitrary access to other apps’ private containers or system paths without an explicit user pick.

Photo Backup requests only the permissions needed for its features. You may change permissions later in iOS Settings. Denying a permission may disable related functionality without preventing all use of the App.

• Photos (read): Required to scan and back up your library.
• Photos (add): Required to restore backed-up photos and videos into your library.
• Notifications: Optional; used for local backup reminders you configure. Reminders do not silently perform full backups in the background when a drive is plugged in.
• Files / folder access: Granted per Destination or source folder you pick; persisted via security-scoped bookmarks where applicable.
• Network access: Used when you configure Pro Destinations such as NAS (SMB), SFTP, or WebDAV, and for App Store / StoreKit communications handled by Apple.

Access to your Camera Roll / Photo Library is mediated by Apple PhotoKit and system permission prompts. The App’s usage description explains that Photo Backup reads photos and videos so it can back them up to your chosen storage, and that add permission is used to restore media into your library.

Limited Photos Library access (if you select it in iOS) will limit which assets the App can see. Full library access enables complete library scanning consistent with the App’s backup purpose.

Photo Backup integrates with Apple’s Files framework and document picker so you can choose Destination folders (and, on Pro, source folders for document backup). Locations may include On My iPhone/iPad, connected external volumes, and other providers visible in Files that you explicitly select.

Cloud-provider placeholders that are not fully downloaded may be flagged and skipped until available on Device. Selecting an iCloud Drive folder as a source or Destination does not mean TechArm operates that cloud — Apple or the third-party provider does.

When you connect compatible USB storage (for example via USB-C), iOS/iPadOS may expose the volume through Files. Photo Backup interacts with that storage through Apple’s APIs and your granted folder access — not through a proprietary TechArm remote mount outside the Apple sandbox.

External accessory support, power delivery, hubs, file systems, and throughput are governed by Apple’s platform and the accessory manufacturer. TechArm does not warrant that every USB accessory will work with every Device.

Indexing, hashing, verification, restore orchestration, and Pro library intelligence (including duplicate detection, screenshot review aids, storage analytics, face grouping, semantic search embeddings, trip detection, best-photo ranking, and auto albums) are designed to run on your Device using Apple frameworks. Resulting indexes, clusters, and embeddings remain local unless you yourself copy them as part of Destination contents or export actions you initiate.

Face grouping and semantic search descriptions in the product emphasize on-device Vision / Core ML processing with no TechArm cloud inference for those features.

The App never uploads your photos or videos to TechArm Softwares Inc. for storage, training, or advertising. Backups are written only to Destinations you connect (local SSD/folder, and on Pro: NAS/SMB, SFTP, or WebDAV). If you choose a Destination that itself is a third-party cloud location visible in Files, that transfer is to the provider you selected — not to a TechArm Photo Backup cloud.

We do not sell a TechArm-operated cloud backup subscription. Photo Backup Pro is an App entitlement for features and Destination types, billed through Apple.

You do not need a TechArm account to use Photo Backup. Entitlements for Pro are associated with your Apple ID purchase history via StoreKit, not with a separate TechArm login. Deleting the App removes the App’s local database and preferences from that Device (subject to iOS backup/restore behaviors you configure with Apple).

As of the Effective Date, Photo Backup does not integrate a third-party product analytics SDK (such as a commercial behavioral analytics suite) that reports your usage events to TechArm or a vendor for marketing analytics. Operational state (backup progress, job status) is shown to you in the App UI and stored locally.

Apple may independently collect App Store analytics and diagnostic data according to your device and Apple ID privacy settings; that collection is governed by Apple’s policies, not by a TechArm analytics dashboard of your photo contents.

As of the Effective Date, Photo Backup does not embed a dedicated third-party crash reporter (for example, a hosted crash service such as Sentry) that automatically uploads crash dumps containing your media to TechArm. System-level crash diagnostics may still be available to Apple under your device settings and Apple’s developer tools when you choose to share them.

If you email a bug report, include only information you are comfortable sharing.

The App uses carefully selected libraries that run on Device to implement storage protocols and local persistence. As of the Effective Date, notable third-party packages include:

• GRDB.swift — local SQLite database access for asset/backup state on Device;
• AMSMB2 — SMB2/3 networking used for Pro NAS Destinations;
• Citadel (and related SSH/SFTP stack) — used for Pro SFTP Destinations;
• Apple system frameworks — including PhotoKit, CryptoKit, Files / document picker, BackgroundTasks (opportunistic resume), User Notifications, Vision, Core ML, StoreKit, and URLSession (including WebDAV Destinations).

These components facilitate on-device functionality and connections you initiate to Destinations. They are not a license for TechArm to harvest your Photo Library onto TechArm servers. Review each vendor’s license for open-source obligations; privacy of your media remains governed by this Policy and Apple’s platform controls.

Photo Backup relies on Apple APIs for Photo Library access, Files integration, cryptography, notifications, purchases, and networking. Use of those APIs is subject to Apple’s terms, human interface guidelines, and your OS privacy controls. Apple may process certain technical data as part of providing iOS, the App Store, and StoreKit. TechArm does not control Apple’s processing.

Local App databases, preferences, bookmarks, Keychain items associated with the App, and on-device library intelligence generally persist on your Device until you delete them via App features (where available), revoke permissions, remove Destinations, or delete the App.

Backup files on Destinations persist according to how you manage that storage. TechArm does not remotely wipe Destinations you own.

Support emails are retained as reasonably necessary to respond to your request, maintain business records, and comply with law, then deleted or archived according to our internal retention practices.

Apple retains App Store purchase records according to Apple’s policies.

Because core backup indexes live on your Device, the primary deletion mechanism is under your control:

• Delete the App (iOS Settings → General → iPhone/iPad Storage → Photo Backup → Delete App) to remove the App sandbox data on that Device;
• Revoke Photos or Notifications permissions in iOS Settings;
• Remove or reconnect Destinations and source folders inside the App;
• Manually delete backup folders on your external drives or servers;
• Manage or cancel subscriptions via Apple ID → Subscriptions.

To request deletion of support correspondence we hold in email systems, contact info@techarm.ca with sufficient detail to locate your messages. We may retain limited records where legally required (for example, dispute or fraud prevention).

Photo Backup is a general-audience utility and is not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children through a TechArm account system, because no such account is required. If you believe a child has provided Personal Data to us via support email, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it from our correspondence systems where feasible.

Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising Device use, Photo Library contents, and Destination access.

Photo Backup may be downloaded in multiple countries through the App Store. Because processing is predominantly on Device and on Destinations you choose, cross-border transfers of your media to TechArm servers do not occur in ordinary backup use. If you contact us by email, your message may be processed in Canada or other locations where our support systems operate.

Where local laws grant additional rights, we will honor them to the extent applicable to the limited Personal Data we actually receive (typically support email content and purchase-related business records mediated by Apple).

If the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) applies to Personal Data we process about you (for example, support emails), TechArm Softwares Inc. acts as a controller for that limited processing. On-device processing you perform with the App is generally carried out under your control as the Device user.

Depending on context, legal bases may include: performance of a contract / requested service (responding to support; providing the App), legitimate interests (securing our communications, improving product reliability based on voluntary feedback), and consent where required.

EEA residents may have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and data portability for Personal Data we hold, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Contact info@techarm.ca to exercise rights regarding data we control.

For individuals in the United Kingdom, the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 may apply to Personal Data we process (such as support correspondence). Rights and principles are substantially similar to the GDPR discussion above. You may contact the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding concerns. To exercise rights with TechArm, email info@techarm.ca.

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), as amended, California residents may have rights to know, delete, and correct Personal Information, and to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights. Photo Backup’s design minimizes Personal Information collected by TechArm.

We do not sell Personal Information as that term is commonly understood under the CCPA, and we do not sell your photos. We also do not “share” Personal Information for cross-context behavioral advertising as contemplated by the CCPA/CPRA advertising definitions in the ordinary operation of the App.

To submit a verifiable consumer request regarding Personal Information we may hold in support systems, email info@techarm.ca with “California Privacy Request” in the subject line.

The California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) expands CCPA rights, including rights related to sensitive personal information and correction. Photo Backup does not seek to collect sensitive personal information for profiling or advertising. On-device biometric-like processing for face grouping (Pro), if used, occurs locally for your organization of your library and is not uploaded to TechArm for identification services.

CPRA requests regarding data TechArm holds may be sent to info@techarm.ca.

TechArm Softwares Inc. recognizes principles under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”) and substantially similar provincial laws where applicable. We limit collection of Personal Information to what is reasonably needed for support and business operations connected to the App, safeguard it appropriately, and provide access and correction pathways for information we hold via info@techarm.ca.

Where the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles apply to Personal Information we hold (such as support emails from Australian users), we will handle that information openly and securely, for purposes related to providing and supporting the App. Requests may be directed to info@techarm.ca. Complaints may also be taken to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if unresolved.

Depending on jurisdiction, TechArm’s processing of the limited Personal Data it receives is based on one or more of the following:

• Contract / requested service: providing support you request; enabling App distribution relationships;
• Legitimate interests: securing communications, preventing abuse, maintaining business records;
• Legal obligation: tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements related to App Store business;
• Consent: where required for optional communications or future optional telemetry, if introduced.

On-device processing of your media for backup and library tools is performed at your direction using permissions you grant on your Device.

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or export Personal Data, or to object to certain processing. For data residing only on your Device or Destinations, exercise control directly through iOS Settings, App controls, and your storage hardware. For data TechArm holds (primarily support email), contact info@techarm.ca. We may need to verify your request reasonably.

We design Photo Backup with a security-minded, local-first architecture:

• Free-tier Destination files are stored as you write them (your files on your drive);
• Pro optional AES-256 vault encryption uses keys intended to remain on Device (Secure Enclave–backed where available);
• NAS/SFTP credentials are stored in the iOS Keychain, referenced by pointers rather than plaintext secrets in the local database;
• Verified backups compare SHA-256 hashes of source and Destination bytes before marking jobs complete;
• Security-scoped bookmarks limit folder access to what you grant.

No method of electronic storage or transmission is perfectly secure. You are responsible for physically securing Destinations, using device passcodes/biometrics, safely ejecting storage, and maintaining multiple backups of irreplaceable media.

Because TechArm does not host your Photo Library, a typical “cloud breach of Photo Backup servers” involving mass photo leakage is not part of the App’s architecture. If we experience a security incident affecting Personal Data we actually hold (for example, a compromise of a support mailbox), we will investigate, take remedial steps, and provide notices required by applicable law.

Incidents involving your physical drives, NAS, or SFTP servers are outside TechArm’s custody; secure those systems appropriately.

The native iOS App does not use browser cookies. If you view this legal page or our website in Safari or another browser, standard website technologies may apply as disclosed on that site. This embedded legal document itself does not set advertising cookies.

Photo Backup does not use third-party advertising pixels, cross-app trackers, or fingerprinting SDKs for ads. Local identifiers necessary for App function (database primary keys, Destination IDs, StoreKit transaction handling) remain within Apple’s and the App’s functional scope.

Photo Backup does not engage in App Tracking Transparency (“ATT”)–covered tracking of users across other companies’ apps and websites for advertising. Accordingly, the App does not present an ATT prompt for advertising tracking as of the Effective Date. If that changes, we will update this Policy and seek permission as required by Apple.

The App does not display third-party behavioral advertising. In-App Purchase paywalls for Photo Backup Pro are first-party product surfaces, not ad networks monetizing your photo contents.

TechArm Softwares Inc. does not sell your Personal Data, photos, videos, embeddings, face clusters, or Destination contents. We do not rent user media lists to data brokers.

If TechArm Softwares Inc. is involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, limited business records (such as support correspondence and contractual information) may transfer to a successor. Your Device-local Photo Library and Destination contents would not thereby become a TechArm-hosted photo cloud; successors would be bound to protect Personal Data consistent with this Policy or provide notice of changes.

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect product changes, legal requirements, or operational practices. We will revise the Effective Date / Last updated fields and may provide in-App or App Store notice for material changes where appropriate. Please review this page periodically.

For privacy questions, requests, or complaints:

• Company: TechArm Softwares Inc.
• Email: info@techarm.ca
• Website: https://www.techarm.ca

Please include “Privacy Request — Photo Backup” in the subject line to help us route your message.