Privacy Policy
Effective date: September 8, 2026
Phibia ("we") sets out below how we handle information in the mobile application "Book Shelf" (the "App").
1. Our approach
You can use every feature of the App without creating a reader's card (an account). If you do not create one, your book records are stored only on your device and are never sent to our servers.
Information is sent to our servers only if you create a reader's card and sign in.
2. Information we collect and why
If you create a reader's card, we collect the following. If you do not, none of this is sent to us.
| Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Email address | Creating your reader's card, sending sign-in links, verifying it is you |
| Nickname | Display within the App |
| Display settings (spine colour, backup on/off) | Controlling display and sync behaviour |
| Book records (title, author, ISBN, cover image URL, price, publication date, read status, notes, date added) | Backing up and restoring across devices |
3. Information stored only on your device
Book records and display settings are also stored on your device, whether or not you have a reader's card. Sign-in credentials (authentication tokens) are kept in the encrypted storage provided by your device (iOS: Keychain / Android: encrypted storage). All of this is lost when you delete the App.
4. Information collected for advertising
The App uses Google AdMob, an advertising service provided by Google LLC. Google may collect advertising identifiers (Android advertising ID / iOS advertising identifier) and similar information to deliver and measure ads. What is collected and how it is used is governed by Google's policies.
- Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- About advertising IDs: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543
You can reset your advertising identifier or opt out of personalised ads in your Android or iOS settings.
5. Information sent when searching for books
When you search by title or scan a barcode, the search term or the scanned ISBN is sent directly from your device to the Google Books API. This does not pass through our servers and we do not store it.
6. Use of the camera
The camera is used to scan barcodes.
Scanning happens entirely on your device. Captured images are never stored, and never sent to us or to any third party.
7. Sharing and processors
We do not share collected information with third parties except where required by law. We do, however, rely on the following services to run the App.
| Provider | Purpose | Information handled |
|---|---|---|
| Supabase, Inc. | Authentication and database | Email address, nickname, display settings, book records |
| Google LLC | Advertising (AdMob) | Advertising identifiers and similar |
| Google LLC | Book search (Google Books API) | Search terms, ISBNs |
Data held in Supabase is stored in the Tokyo (Japan) region. The App also links to product pages on Amazon.co.jp. Once you follow such a link, Amazon's own terms govern how your information is handled.
8. Retention
Information linked to your reader's card is retained until you delete the card. Deleting it removes your email address, nickname, display settings and book records from our servers.
9. How to delete your information
You can delete your reader's card from the "Reader's card" screen in the App. Doing so removes your information from our servers.
Book records stored on your device are not removed when you delete your reader's card. To remove those as well, delete the App from your device.
10. Security
- All communication is encrypted (TLS).
- The database uses row-level security so that you can access only your own data.
- Authentication tokens are kept in your device's encrypted storage.
11. Children
The App is not directed to children under 13. If you are under 13, please use it with the consent of a parent or guardian.
Your nickname may be shown to other users, so please avoid using your real name. The App also tells you this when you set one.
12. Your rights
You may request disclosure, correction, suspension of use, or deletion of the information we hold about you. In addition to the method in section 9, you can contact us through our contact form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQWXRNKAsVytmCmk8t5qLxB0nrhJbAIqI_DaThhbQCXgCimQ/viewform?usp=sf_link).
13. Changes to this policy
We may change this policy as laws change or as the App gains features. If we make a significant change, we will announce it in the App or in the store listing.
14. Contact
For questions about this policy or about how we handle personal information, please use our contact form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQWXRNKAsVytmCmk8t5qLxB0nrhJbAIqI_DaThhbQCXgCimQ/viewform?usp=sf_link).