Privacy Policy - PixTile

Last Updated: November 4, 2025
Effective Date: November 4, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to PixTile ("the App"), a photo mosaic creation application developed by Roberto Mecca ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and protection of your information when you use our macOS and iOS applications.

PixTile is designed with privacy as a core principle. We believe your photos and creative work belong to you alone.

By using PixTile, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the App.

2. Our Privacy Commitment

PixTile is a privacy-first application. We want to be clear and upfront about our approach:

✅ We do not collect your personal information
✅ We do not upload your photos to any server
✅ We do not use analytics or tracking
✅ We do not display advertisements
✅ We do not require user accounts
✅ We do not share your data with third parties

All photo processing happens entirely on your device. Your photos never leave your computer or phone unless you explicitly choose to export and share them.

3. Information We Do NOT Collect

To be completely transparent, here's what we do not collect:

3.1 Personal Information

❌ No email addresses
❌ No names or contact information
❌ No user accounts or passwords
❌ No profile information

3.2 Usage and Analytics

❌ No analytics or tracking data
❌ No app usage statistics
❌ No feature usage monitoring
❌ No crash reports (unless you explicitly send them to us)

3.3 Your Content

❌ No photos or images you import
❌ No mosaics you create
❌ No file names or metadata
❌ No photo library information

3.4 Device Information

❌ No device identifiers (UDID, IDFA, etc.)
❌ No location data
❌ No contacts or address book access
❌ No system information collection

4. How the App Works

4.1 Local Processing

PixTile is a standalone application that processes all photos locally on your device:

Photo Import: When you select photos or folders, they are read directly from your local file system
Mosaic Creation: All color analysis, tile selection, and mosaic composition happen on your device using your device's CPU
Memory Management: Photo data is processed in memory and temporary caches, which are automatically cleared
Export: When you save a mosaic, it's written directly to a location you choose on your device

No data is sent to any server during any of these operations.

4.2 Photo Access

macOS Version:

You explicitly choose which photos or folders to import using standard file picker dialogs
The app only accesses files you explicitly select
No automatic scanning of your photo library

iOS Version:

You grant permission to access your Photos library (required for iOS apps)
The app only reads photos you select within the app
Photos selected for mosaics are processed in memory
The app does not access photos you don't explicitly use

4.3 File Storage

The app may create temporary files on your device for:

App preferences: Your settings like window size, last used folders, tint strength preferences
Recent file lists: macOS maintains a list of recent files you've opened (standard macOS feature)
Temporary processing: During mosaic creation, temporary data may be written to system temp folders

All of this data remains on your device and is never transmitted anywhere.

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 Payment Processing (iOS)

If you purchase PixTile through the iOS App Store:

Apple Inc. processes your payment
We receive only a notification that a purchase was made (no payment details)
Your payment information is handled entirely by Apple according to their privacy policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

5.2 No Other Third Parties

PixTile does not integrate with any other third-party services:

No cloud storage providers
No analytics services (Google Analytics, etc.)
No advertising networks
No social media integrations
No external APIs

6. Data Security

Even though we don't collect your data, we implement security best practices:

6.1 Local Data Protection

Sandboxing: The app runs in a secure sandbox environment (required by macOS and iOS)
File permissions: The app only accesses files you explicitly grant permission to access
Memory security: Photo data in memory is automatically cleared when no longer needed
No network access: The app does not make network connections (except for App Store license verification on iOS)

6.2 Your Responsibility

Since all processing happens locally:

Protect your device: Use device passwords and encryption
Backup your mosaics: Save your creations to locations that are backed up
Control file access: Only grant the app access to photos you want to use

7. Children's Privacy

PixTile does not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children. The app is suitable for all ages and can be used by children under parental supervision.

Since no data is collected or transmitted, there are no special privacy concerns for children using the app.

8. iOS Permissions

The iOS version of PixTile may request the following permissions:

7.1 Photo Library Access

Purpose: To let you select photos for creating mosaics
Scope: You can grant access to all photos or select specific photos (iOS 14+)
Usage: Photos are only read from your library, never modified or uploaded
Required: Yes, for the app to function

7.2 File Storage Access

Purpose: To save your completed mosaics
Scope: Only locations you explicitly choose when saving
Usage: Write-only access to save exported mosaic images
Required: Only if you want to save mosaics

You can manage these permissions at any time in iOS Settings > Privacy.

9. macOS Permissions

The macOS version of PixTile may request:

9.1 File Access

Standard file dialogs: You explicitly choose files and folders to open
No automatic access: The app does not scan or access files without your permission
Bookmark access: macOS may grant the app bookmark access to folders you frequently use (standard macOS behavior)

You can revoke file access at any time by quitting the app or using macOS privacy settings.

10. Cookies and Tracking

PixTile does not use any cookies, web beacons, or tracking technologies because:

The app is a native application (not web-based)
There are no analytics or tracking services
There is no web view or embedded browser content

11. Updates and Communications

11.1 App Updates

macOS: You download updates manually from our website
iOS: Updates are delivered through the App Store

We do not send you notifications, emails, or any other communications. You will not receive marketing or promotional messages from us.

11.2 Update Information

Updates may include:

New features and improvements
Bug fixes and performance enhancements
Security patches

When you update the app, your preferences and settings are preserved locally on your device.

12. Data Retention

Since we don't collect any data, there's nothing to retain on our servers.

Local data on your device:

App preferences: Stored until you delete the app
Recent files list: Managed by your operating system
Temporary files: Automatically deleted by the system
Your mosaics: Stored wherever you choose to save them

To completely remove all PixTile data:

Delete the application
Remove any saved mosaic files you created
(macOS only) Delete preferences file at ~/Library/Preferences/com.robertomecca.PixTile.plist

13. Your Rights

Since PixTile doesn't collect your personal data, traditional data rights (access, deletion, portability) don't apply. However:

13.1 Control Over Your Content

✅ You have complete control over which photos you use
✅ You decide where to save your mosaics
✅ You can delete the app and all data at any time
✅ Your original photos are never modified

13.2 Transparency

✅ This privacy policy fully explains our practices
✅ We will notify users of any changes to our privacy practices
✅ You can contact us with any privacy questions

14. International Users

PixTile is available worldwide and operates the same way regardless of your location:

No data transfers: Since we don't collect data, there are no international data transfers
Local processing: All processing happens on your device in your country
GDPR compliance: We comply by not collecting personal data
CCPA compliance: We don't sell or share personal information

15. Open Source Components

PixTile is built using the following technologies:

macOS Version:

Python 3.9+ - Programming language (PSF License)
Pillow (PIL) - Image processing library (PIL License)
PySide6 (Qt) - User interface framework (LGPL License)

iOS Version:

Swift/SwiftUI - Apple's native development frameworks
Native image processing - Using Apple's Core Image and Core Graphics

None of these components collect or transmit your data. They are used solely for local image processing and user interface rendering.

16. Technical Details

16.1 How Mosaics Are Created

For transparency, here's how the mosaic creation process works:

Load target image: Read the image you want to recreate as a mosaic
Analyze colors: Calculate average colors for grid cells in the target image
Load source photos: Read photos from your selected folders/files
Analyze source photos: Calculate average color of each source photo
Match tiles: Use color matching algorithms to select best source photo for each grid position
Compose mosaic: Arrange selected photos into final mosaic
Apply color blending: Optionally tint photos to match target colors more closely
Export: Save the final mosaic to your chosen location

All of these steps happen on your device. No data leaves your computer/phone.

16.2 Memory Usage

PixTile uses your device's RAM to:

Store photos being analyzed
Cache color analysis results
Render the final mosaic

This memory is automatically released when:

You create a new mosaic
You close the app
Your system needs memory for other tasks

17. Crash Reports and Diagnostics

17.1 Automatic Crash Reports

macOS: No automatic crash reporting
iOS: Apple may collect crash logs if you have opted in to share diagnostics with developers (iOS system setting)

17.2 Manual Bug Reports

If you experience issues and contact us:

We may ask you to describe the problem
We might request screenshots (which you can review before sending)
We will never ask you to send us your photos or mosaic files
Any information you provide is used solely to fix bugs

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect:

New features in the app
Changes in privacy laws
User feedback and clarifications

How we notify you of changes:

Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
For significant changes, we may post a notice on our website
iOS users may see an update notification in the App Store

Your continued use of PixTile after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

19. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident:

19.1 Categories of Information

We do not collect any categories of personal information as defined by the CCPA.

19.2 Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell personal information.

19.3 Your CCPA Rights

Since we don't collect personal information, CCPA rights related to access, deletion, and opt-out do not apply. However, you have complete control over your photos and mosaics on your device.

20. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom:

20.1 Legal Basis

We do not process personal data as defined by GDPR. PixTile operates entirely locally on your device.

20.2 Data Controller

Since no personal data is collected, there is no data controller relationship.

20.3 Your GDPR Rights

Traditional GDPR rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability, etc.) don't apply because we don't process your personal data. You maintain full control over your photos and mosaics locally.

21. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or PixTile's privacy practices:

Roberto Mecca
Email: info@robertomecca.com
Website: https://www.robertomecca.com

For privacy-related inquiries: Email: privacy@robertomecca.com

We aim to respond to all inquiries within 7 business days.

22. Legal Disclaimer

This Privacy Policy constitutes a legal agreement between you and Roberto Mecca. By using PixTile, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

23. Summary

PixTile is designed to respect your privacy completely:

🔒 100% Local Processing - Everything happens on your device
🚫 Zero Data Collection - We don't collect any personal information
🔐 No Servers - Your photos never leave your device
📵 No Tracking - No analytics, no ads, no third parties
✨ Full Control - You own your photos and mosaics

Your photos. Your art. Your privacy.

This Privacy Policy was last reviewed and updated on November 4, 2025.