Skip to content

Cardly Privacy Policy

Last updated: 6 November 2026

Short version: Cardly keeps your data on your device. I don’t collect it, and I can’t see it.

Who I am

Cardly is made by Charlie Auchter (“I”, “me”). Contact: [email protected].

Information I collect

None. Cardly has no accounts, no backend servers and no analytics, advertising or tracking tools. I do not receive your name, contact details, cards, photos, location, or usage data.

Information stored on your device

The app stores the following locally on your iPhone, and it never leaves your device unless you choose to share it:

  • The business card(s) you create: name, job title, company, phone, email, website, social links, and optionally a profile photo and company logo.
  • Cards you receive from others, with any notes, tags, favourites and follow-up reminders you add.
  • App settings and a simple count of how you have shared cards (used for the Stats screen).
  • A small copy of your card details in a shared app container so the Home Screen widget can display it.

Permissions the app may ask for

  • Camera - to scan QR codes from other Cardly users. Images are processed on the device and are not saved or sent anywhere.
  • Contacts - only if you choose to save a received card to your address book.
  • Photos - to save your QR code to your photo library when you ask. Choosing a profile photo or logo uses the system photo picker, which gives Cardly only the images you select.
  • Face ID / Touch ID - to lock the app or library. Authentication is handled by iOS; Cardly never receives your biometric data.
  • Notifications - to show follow-up reminders and alerts when a card is received. These are scheduled locally on your device.

You can change any of these at any time in iOS Settings.

Sharing your card

When you share your card by AirDrop, QR code or link, the details on your card are sent directly to the person you share with. You choose what appears on your card. Once someone has received your card, I cannot recall or delete their copy. Likewise, cards you receive are stored only on your device.

Third parties

I do not sell or share your information, because I do not have it. Cardly does not include third-party SDKs. Your device’s iCloud Backup, if you have it turned on, may include Cardly’s data as part of Apple’s standard backup; that is governed by Apple’s privacy policy.

Retention and deletion

You can edit or delete your cards and received cards in the app at any time. Deleting the app removes all of its data from your device.

Children

Cardly is not directed at children, and I do not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children.

Changes to this policy

If Cardly’s data practices change, for example by adding cloud sync, I will update this page and the date above before the change takes effect.

The Cardly waitlist

If you join the waitlist on this website, your email address is stored in a Google Form and used only to tell you when Cardly launches. It is not sold or shared. To be removed, email me.

Contact and support requests

If you send a message through the contact form on this website, the details you enter (name, email, optional phone number, device and OS version, product, and your message) are stored in a Google Form and Sheet and used only to reply to you. They are not sold or shared. I keep a request only as long as I need it to help you, and you can ask me to delete it at any time.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Email [email protected], or visit the support page.