Privacy Policy
Effective date: June 8, 2026
The short version: SideTime runs entirely on your Mac. We don't operate servers that collect your data, we don't use analytics or tracking, and we don't sell or share your information. There are no accounts and nothing to sign up for.
This policy explains what SideTime ("the app", "we", "us") does — and doesn't do — with information when you use it.
Calendar information
If you grant calendar access, SideTime reads your events using Apple's EventKit framework so it can draw event markers on the progress bar and help you visualize your schedule. This happens locally on your device.
- Access is read-only — SideTime never creates, edits, or deletes calendar events.
- Your calendar data never leaves your Mac. It is not transmitted to us or to any third party.
- Calendar access is optional. SideTime works without it, and you can revoke access at any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Calendars.
App settings
Your preferences — such as the tracking mode, work-day hours, appearance,
and which calendars to show — are stored locally on your device using
macOS UserDefaults. These settings stay on your Mac and are
not collected by us.
Software updates
SideTime can check for updates automatically using the Sparkle framework. To do this, the app periodically downloads an update feed hosted on GitHub Pages. As with any web request, the host (GitHub) may record standard technical information such as your IP address in its server logs. We do not collect update analytics and cannot identify you from these requests. You can disable automatic update checks in the app's settings.
Distribution and feedback
SideTime is distributed through GitHub Releases. If you choose to send feedback or a rating, those forms are hosted by Tally. We only receive what you voluntarily submit. Information you provide through GitHub or Tally is handled under their respective privacy policies.
No tracking
SideTime contains no advertising, no analytics or telemetry SDKs, and no third-party trackers. We do not build profiles, and we do not sell or share personal data — because we don't collect it in the first place.
Children's privacy
SideTime is a general-purpose productivity tool and is not directed at children. Because we do not collect personal information, we do not knowingly collect data from anyone, including children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we'll revise the "Effective date" above. Continued use of SideTime after a change means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about your privacy or this policy? Email us at ziqi.dev@outlook.com.