Privacy Policy for LinkShelf
Last Updated: September 2026 | Effective Date: December 2024
Introduction
LinkShelf ("we," "our," or "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use LinkShelf, a macOS menu bar application.
By using LinkShelf, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Information We Collect
Data Stored Locally
LinkShelf stores the following information locally on your Mac:
- Link Data: Titles and URLs of links you add to the app
- Link Order: The order in which you arrange your links
- App Preferences: Basic app state information (e.g., whether the app has launched before)
Data We Do NOT Collect
LinkShelf does NOT collect, transmit, or store:
- ❌ Personal identification information (name, email, address)
- ❌ Usage analytics or tracking data
- ❌ Device information or identifiers
- ❌ Location data
- ❌ Browsing history or web activity
- ❌ Any data transmitted to external servers
How We Use Your Information
Local Storage Only
All information stored by LinkShelf is kept exclusively on your device:
- Link Data: Used to display your saved links in the app interface
- Link Order: Used to maintain your preferred link arrangement
- App Preferences: Used to provide a better user experience
No External Transmission
- No data is sent to external servers
- No data is shared with third parties
- No analytics or tracking services are used
- No cloud synchronization (data remains on your device only)
Data Storage and Security
Storage Location
- All data is stored locally on your Mac in a database inside the app's sandboxed App Group container
- Website icons are kept in a local cache on your Mac and are never stored with your links
- Data is encrypted by macOS system-level encryption
Security Measures
- App Sandbox: LinkShelf runs in a sandboxed environment, limiting access to your system
- Local-Only Storage: No network transmission of your data
- System Encryption: Your data benefits from macOS's built-in encryption
Data Retention
- Your link data remains on your device until you delete individual links or remove LinkShelf's data folder
- When LinkShelf 1.5 or later first opens links saved by an earlier version, it keeps a one-time backup copy of that original data on your Mac, in the same data folder
- Deleting the app does not remove this folder. To remove all LinkShelf data, delete
~/Library/Group Containers/group.com.chanchalgeek.LinkShelf after quitting the app
- We do not retain any copies of your data
Third-Party Services
LinkShelf does NOT use any third-party services that collect or process your data, including:
- ❌ Analytics services (Google Analytics, etc.)
- ❌ Advertising networks
- ❌ Cloud storage services
- ❌ Crash reporting services
- ❌ User tracking services
Network Access
LinkShelf only accesses the network when you explicitly choose to:
- Open a link in your browser - This uses your default browser and standard macOS network APIs
- No data about which links you open is collected or transmitted
Your Rights and Control
Access to Your Data
- All your data is stored locally and accessible through the app interface
- You can view, edit, or delete any link at any time
- You have full control over all data stored by the app
Data Deletion
You can delete your data at any time by:
- Deleting individual links: Use the delete option in the app
- Deleting all data: Uninstall the app, which removes all associated data from your Mac
Data Export
Currently, LinkShelf does not provide a built-in export feature. All data remains on your device. Export functionality may be added in future versions.
Children's Privacy
LinkShelf does not knowingly collect any information from children under the age of 13. Since we do not collect any personal information, this is not applicable. However, if you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided information to us, please contact us.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- For significant changes, we may provide additional notice through the app or App Store listing
You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
Compliance
App Store Guidelines
LinkShelf complies with:
- Apple App Store Review Guidelines
- Apple's Privacy Requirements
- macOS App Sandbox requirements
Data Protection
- LinkShelf follows privacy by design principles
- We collect and store only the minimum data necessary for app functionality
- All data remains under your control and on your device
Summary
In simple terms:
- ✅ What we store: Only the links you add (titles and URLs)
- ✅ Where: Locally on your Mac only
- ✅ Who sees it: Only you
- ✅ Do we share it: No, never
- ✅ Do we track you: No
- ✅ Can you delete it: Yes, anytime
LinkShelf is designed with privacy as a core principle. Your data stays on your device, under your control, at all times.
Legal Information
This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with applicable privacy laws. If you are located outside the jurisdiction where this app is provided, please note that we transfer and process information in accordance with this policy.