staremate is a drawing app by Aleksei Luppov (“I”, “me”, “my”). This policy explains how information is handled when you use the staremate app.
You don’t need an account to use staremate. The app has no advertising or third-party usage analytics SDKs. I do not operate a server that collects or stores your drawings.
1. Information stored on your device
staremate stores your drawings, drawings received from your mate, captions, creation dates, session identifiers, and app preferences on your device.
The app may also save an unfinished drawing to help recover it after an interruption. Local backup and recovery files help protect your drawing library if its catalog becomes damaged.
This information is used to display your sketchbook, restore unfinished work, remember preferences, and keep drawings from the same session together.
2. Drawing with a mate
When you start or join a paired session, staremate uses Apple’s nearby connectivity technology to connect your devices.
The devices exchange session information and completed drawings over an encrypted connection. QR codes contain temporary connection information used to join the session.
Your mate receives a copy of your completed drawing and can keep or export it. Deleting a drawing from your device does not delete your mate’s copy.
I do not receive these drawings or session messages on a developer-operated server.
3. Camera and Photos access
Camera: staremate requests camera access to scan session QR codes. Camera images are processed on your device. The app does not record or upload camera photos or video.
Photos: when you choose to save a drawing, staremate requests permission to add it to your photo library. It does not request access to browse your existing photos.
You can manage these permissions in your iPhone’s Settings. Declining a permission prevents the relevant feature from working, but you can still use other available features.
4. Contacting me
If you email hi@staremate.com , I receive your email address, your message, and any attachments you choose to send.
I use this information to respond to you and resolve your request. My email service provider processes these messages to deliver and store this correspondence.
Please send only the information needed to explain your question. I keep support correspondence only as long as reasonably necessary to handle the request and meet applicable legal obligations.
5. Apple services and external links
Your app data may be included in device backups managed by Apple or your computer, depending on your settings. staremate does not provide its own cloud synchronization service.
Apple may process App Store activity and diagnostic information under its own policies and your device settings. If you follow a link to Instagram or another external service, that service’s privacy policy applies.
You can read Apple’s Privacy Policy .
6. Retention and deletion
Saved drawings remain in your local library until you delete them or remove the app and its data.
Deleting a drawing removes it from the active library and deletes its associated drawing files. The app retains identifiers of deleted drawings to prevent them from reappearing after a repeated transfer. Backup or recovery catalogs may retain older metadata, including captions.
Removing the app using Delete App, rather than Offload App, removes its local app data. This does not remove drawings exported to Photos, copies held by your mate, or existing device backups. These copies must be managed separately through the relevant device or service.
I cannot access or remotely recover your local drawing library.
7. Your privacy choices
You can delete drawings in the app, change permissions in iPhone Settings, and choose whether to export or share your work.
Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of personal information I hold, or to complain to your local data protection authority.
To ask about these rights or request deletion of support correspondence, email hi@staremate.com .
8. Changes to this policy
I may update this policy when the app or its data practices change. The latest version will be available on this page, with an updated date. Where required, I will provide additional notice of significant changes.
9. Contact
For privacy questions or requests:
Aleksei Luppov