Next Chapter Privacy Policy

Information the app stores

Next Chapter stores the library you build (book titles, authors, ISBNs, the ratings you give, which shelf a book is on, reading dates, and any notes you add) along with your appearance (theme) and taste-prediction preferences. This information is stored locally on your device.

If you set a reading goal for the year, the number is kept only on the device where you set it. It is not synced through iCloud or sent anywhere.

Where your library stays

If you are signed in to iCloud, your library also syncs privately across your own devices through Apple’s iCloud (a CloudKit private database), so switching phones doesn’t mean starting over. This data lives in your personal iCloud account, is governed by Apple’s privacy policy, and is not sent to the developer or shared with anyone else. You can stop this sync by disabling iCloud for the app or signing out of iCloud.

Book information look-ups

To show covers, descriptions, page counts, and reader ratings, the app looks up the books in your library by sending their title, author, or ISBN to public book services: Open Library, Google Books, and Apple Books (the iTunes Search API). These requests contain only book information, not your identity, and are subject to those providers’ own privacy policies. Your taste predictions are calculated entirely on your device.

The New this month and Popular right now rows on For You come from Apple’s public Apple Books top charts feed. The app downloads the same chart everyone sees, and the request carries nothing about you or your library.

Scanning barcodes

If you scan a book’s barcode, Next Chapter uses your camera only to read that barcode. The camera picture is read on your device and is never saved or sent anywhere. Only the ISBN from the barcode leaves your device, in the same book look-ups described above. You can turn off camera access at any time in Settings and search for books by title instead.

Importing from Goodreads, The StoryGraph or Libby

If you import your reading history, you export a CSV file from Goodreads, The StoryGraph or Libby yourself and hand that file to Next Chapter, which reads it on your device. Next Chapter is not affiliated with Goodreads, The StoryGraph or Libby and never sees or asks for your login to those services.

Purchases

The optional one-time Plus upgrade is handled by Apple through the App Store. Next Chapter does not see or store your payment information; purchase validation is performed on your device using Apple’s StoreKit.

Backups and exports

If you export a backup, the file is created on your device and goes wherever you choose to save or share it. Your device settings, iCloud settings, and App Store activity are handled by Apple according to Apple’s own policies.

Information collected by the developer

The app does not collect personal information from you for the developer and does not transmit your library to the developer. If you contact support, the information you choose to send in that message may be used to respond to your request.

Analytics, ads, and tracking

Next Chapter does not use advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs, or tracking technologies, and it does not sell personal data.

Children’s privacy

Next Chapter is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated as the app changes. If data practices change materially, this page should be updated before the new version is released.

Contact

For privacy questions or support, email support.altaaffirmations@gmail.com.