Ark Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Ark is an offline-first app. This policy explains what data the app handles, how it is stored, and the limited situations where it talks to a network. The shortest useful version: Ark is local-first and has no account system or backend of our own. Most data stays on your device.

Contact

For questions about this policy, or to ask for help removing your data, contact:

[email protected]

Data stored on your device

Ark stores the following on your device, in the app's private storage:

• Notes and documents you create or import.
• Chat conversations with the on-device AI assistant.
• Saved map places, coordinates, and recorded tracks or routes.
• RSS subscriptions and cached feed content.
• Weather forecast cache and download status for content, map, routing, and model packs.
• App settings.

This data is not sent to us and is not shared with third parties.

Location

Ark can use your location to show your position, save map places, and record active tracks. Precise location is used only when a tracking or map feature is active. If you enable background location, Ark keeps recording an active track while the screen is locked or the app is in the background. You can turn location off at any time in the device settings. Saved places and tracks remain stored locally.

Permissions and sensor data

Ark asks for access to some device capabilities, always with your permission and only when you use the related feature:

• Microphone / audio: record short voice prompts for offline transcription into notes or chats.
• Camera and photo library: attach photos to tracks, saved spots, and chats.
• Motion and activity sensors: power the compass, level, pedometer, and other field tools.
• Biometrics (Face ID / fingerprint): optionally unlock passphrase-protected notes.
• Notifications: show alerts for downloads and local reminders.

These capabilities process data only for the feature you choose, on your device.

Network use

Ark remains useful without a network, but some features reach the network. Access is user-directed or cache-directed:

• Downloading content, map, routing, and model packs.
• Refreshing weather forecasts or RSS feeds.
• Resolving content catalogs or manifests.
• Optional online map or place search.
• Opening external links in the operating system.
• Using custom model or document URLs you provide.

When you use an online place, map, weather, or content source, your request (including your IP address and the query) goes to that third-party provider, not to Ark. Those services follow their own privacy policies. Ark has no backend that tracks you.

Ads and tracking

Ark shows no advertising and includes no advertising or privacy-tracking SDK. It does not sell or share personal data and does not use analytics within the app.

Encryption

• When you enable protection, your notes sit behind a passphrase you choose, with optional Face ID or fingerprint unlock.
• The app database can optionally be encrypted on the device.
• Sensitive data and metadata are treated as private, and logs never print note, document, chat, or location contents.

Backups

You create backups yourself with the app. A backup (.arkbackup) is created on your device and is not uploaded to us or to a cloud. If you export or otherwise share a file, backup, or document, you are directing it to any service or person you choose, and that transfer is covered by the destination's own policies.

Retention and deletion

Because Ark stores data only on your device, we hold no copy on our servers. To remove your data:

• Delete notes, documents, chats, tracks, and saved places from within the app.
• Remove any exported backups, which you control.
• Uninstall Ark, which removes the app's on-device storage.

Children

The app is directed at adults, not children, and does not knowingly collect personal data from children.

Changes

We will revise this policy as Ark changes, and update the "Last updated" date above. Note that Ark is under active development; features described here are covered by implemented behavior.

Contact

For privacy questions, requests, or corrections, contact:

[email protected]