Privacy Policy

Budgie Last updated: 19 June 2026

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Budgie (“the App”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your information.

Budgie is a personal budgeting app. By default your budgeting data is kept locally on your device, but the App also offers optional features — signing in and cloud sync — that involve storing data on third‑party servers, and it displays advertising. This policy describes all of those cases.

We are committed to handling your information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). By using the App, you agree to this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account & Profile Data

Budgie does not require an account to use its core budgeting features. If you choose to sign in (to enable cloud sync), you authenticate through Apple or Google. In that case we receive a basic account identifier and an email address (which may be Apple’s private relay address if you choose to hide your email). We do not create, see, or store any password.

2.2 Budgeting Data

Data you enter into the App, which may include:

Expense and income entries (amounts, dates, categories, and optional notes)
Budgets and savings goals
Recurring income and expense series
Custom categories
App preferences and settings (e.g. currency)

This data is stored locally on your device by default. It is only transmitted off your device if you enable cloud sync (see 2.3) or use the export/backup feature.

2.3 Cloud Sync Data (Optional)

Cloud sync is off by default. If you sign in and turn on “Sync to cloud,” your budgeting data (entries, budgets, recurring series, custom categories, and settings) is stored in Google Firebase Firestore under your account so it can sync across your devices. You can turn sync off at any time in Settings.

2.4 Advertising Data

The App displays advertisements served by Google AdMob. To deliver and measure ads, Google may collect device identifiers, IP address, and usage data. On iOS, the App uses App Tracking Transparency to ask your permission before any tracking that requires it. Users in the EEA and UK are shown a GDPR consent form (via Google’s User Messaging Platform) and can choose personalized or non‑personalized ads.

2.5 Automatically Collected Data

When you use cloud sync or see ads, standard technical information (such as device type, operating system, and IP address) may be processed by the relevant third‑party service to operate that feature securely.

We do not collect or store your bank account or payment card details, and Budgie does not connect to your financial institutions.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information described above solely to:

Provide the App’s budgeting features and display your data
Authenticate you when you sign in
Sync your data across your devices when you enable cloud sync
Display and measure advertising
Maintain the security and reliability of the App
Comply with our legal obligations

All budgeting calculations, charts, and insights are produced on your device.

4. Third‑Party Services

Budgie relies on the following third‑party services, each governed by its own privacy policy:

Google Firebase (Authentication & Firestore) — used for sign‑in and optional cloud sync.
Google AdMob — used to display advertising, with consent management (UMP) and App Tracking Transparency.
Sign in with Apple and Google Sign‑In — used to authenticate your account.

Google’s handling of data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy. Apple’s handling of Sign in with Apple is governed by the Apple Privacy Policy.

We do not sell your personal or financial data to any third party.

5. Advertising & Your Choices

You can manage how ads are personalized:

On iOS, you can change tracking permission in your device’s Settings, and review your choices via Settings → Privacy options in the App (where available).
On Android, you can reset or limit your advertising ID in your device settings.
In the EEA/UK, you can re‑open the consent form at any time via Settings → Privacy options.

6. Your Rights

Under the Australian Privacy Principles (and equivalent laws where applicable), you may:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Opt out of personalized advertising
Request deletion of your account and associated data
Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au

7. Data Retention & Deletion

Local data remains on your device until you delete it within the App or uninstall the App. Uninstalling removes all locally stored data.
Cloud sync data is stored until you delete it. You can permanently delete your account and all associated cloud data at any time via Settings → Delete account, which removes your Firebase authentication record and your Firestore data.
Alternatively, you can request deletion by emailing us (see Section 11).

8. Children’s Privacy

Budgie is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

9. Data Security & International Transfers

We rely on the security measures provided by Google Firebase and Apple to protect data handled through those services. Because these providers operate globally, your data may be stored or processed on servers located outside Australia. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

10. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Any changes take effect once posted within the App or on this page. The “Last updated” date above reflects the latest revision.

11. Contact

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, contact:

📧 support@tap-app.com.au