Brackdown
Privacy Policy
Brackdown is built around a simple principle: your match data belongs to you and stays with you.
What we collect
Nothing on a server. Ever.
Brackdown runs entirely on your device. We do not operate any backend servers. We do not have user accounts. We do not have analytics. We have no way to see who uses the app, how often, or what matches you play.
What's stored on your device
When you use Brackdown, the app stores the following on your iPhone or iPad:
- Players you create (names, optional photos, per-sport ELO ratings)
- Matches you score (sport, participants, score, optional notes and photos)
- Tournaments you create
- Custom games you define
- Settings and preferences
This data is stored in Apple's local on-device database (SwiftData / Core Data) and never leaves your device unless you explicitly initiate a sharing action.
Optional iCloud sync
If you enable iCloud sync in Settings, your match and player data syncs through your personal iCloud account to your other Apple devices. Brackdown never sees this data — it flows through Apple's encrypted iCloud infrastructure that only you can access. This is opt-in and off by default.
Sharing features (you initiate, you control)
The app offers several ways to share data, all triggered by you:
- Share a match invitation link — generates a URL containing a snapshot of one match. The recipient can open the link to see the score. If you have iCloud configured, live updates flow through CloudKit's public database (snapshot data only — sport, score, participant names you typed, host name).
- Share a player profile QR/link — generates a URL containing a snapshot of one player's name, photo, and per-sport ratings. The recipient can import the profile to compare records.
- Local multiplayer (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi) — when you tap "Share live to nearby" on a match, your device advertises a Bonjour service so nearby Brackdown users can join. Profiles and match snapshots are sent peer-to-peer; nothing transits a server.
- Game Center — if you sign in to Game Center on your device, your overall ELO is submitted to Apple's leaderboards under your Game Center identity. Apple manages all of this; Brackdown just calls Apple's API.
You can decline or revoke any of these by not using the feature, by deleting individual matches, or by deleting the app.
Permissions the app may ask for
| Permission | Why | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Photo library | Add a photo to a match or set your profile picture | Optional, denied = no photo features |
| Camera | Capture match photos, scan friend QR codes, project AR scoreboards | Optional, denied = those features unavailable |
| Calendar | Add a scheduled match to your calendar | Optional, denied = calendar export unavailable |
| Notifications | Remind you 15 minutes before scheduled matches | Optional, denied = no reminders |
| Local network | Discover and connect to nearby devices for in-person multiplayer | Optional, denied = no LAN multiplayer |
| Bluetooth | Same as above (peer discovery) | Optional |
We do not access these capabilities for any other purpose. We do not transmit any data captured by them off your device.
Data deletion
- Delete individual matches: Match History → swipe → Remove, or open the match → Delete this match
- Delete a player: Players & Stats → swipe (in Edit mode) → Remove
- Wipe everything: delete the app from your device. iOS removes all local app data. If iCloud sync was enabled, also delete the Brackdown data from iCloud.com → Settings → Manage Storage.
Children's privacy
Brackdown is rated 4+. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone, of any age, because we do not collect data at all.
Third parties
The only third party Brackdown interacts with is Apple — through Apple's own iCloud, Game Center, ActivityKit, WidgetKit, and CloudKit APIs. Apple's privacy policies cover what they do with anything that transits their services.
Contact
If you have questions about this policy or Brackdown's data handling, reach out:
Email: cadenbartlett2@gmail.com
Changes to this policy
If we ever change how Brackdown handles data, this page will update with a new "Last updated" date. Substantive changes will also be flagged in the app's "What's New" notes.