Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 2025
Smoke & Ash ("we", "our", or "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our iOS application.
Information We Collect
Personal Collection Data
When you use Smoke & Ash, you may choose to enter information about your cigar collection, including:
- Cigar inventory details (brands, quantities, purchase prices)
- Humidor information (names, capacity, environmental targets)
- Smoking session data (dates, durations, ratings, tasting notes)
- Purchase history and vendor information
- Gift transactions between users
Camera Access
If you choose to use the camera measurement feature, the app will request access to your device camera. Photos captured for measurement purposes are processed locally on your device and are not transmitted to external servers.
Location Data
With your permission, the app may access your location to:
- Record where you enjoyed a smoking session
- Fetch current weather conditions for your session
Location data is stored with your session records in your private iCloud account and is not shared with third parties.
Weather Data
The app uses Apple WeatherKit to display current weather conditions during your smoking sessions. Weather data is fetched based on your location (if permitted) and displayed locally. We do not store or transmit weather queries to third parties.
Climate Sensor Data
If you choose to connect climate monitoring sensors (Govee or SensorPush devices) to track your humidor conditions, the app will:
- Connect to Govee or SensorPush cloud services using your sensor credentials
- Retrieve temperature and humidity readings from your sensors
- Store historical climate data in your private iCloud account
Your sensor API credentials are stored securely on your device and are only used to communicate with the respective sensor services. We do not have access to your sensor account credentials.
How Your Data is Stored
All your personal cigar collection data is stored securely in your private iCloud account using Apple's CloudKit service. This means:
- Your data is encrypted and protected by Apple's security infrastructure
- Your data syncs automatically across your Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account
- We do not have access to your personal collection data
- Your data remains private and is not shared with other users (unless you opt into community features)
The app also accesses a shared cigar reference database (brands, cigar lines, vitola specifications) that is read-only and does not contain any personal information.
Community Features (Optional)
Anonymous Leaderboard Ratings
You may choose to participate in the community cigar leaderboard by opting in through Settings. If you opt in:
- Your cigar ratings are shared anonymously with the community
- Your identity is protected using a one-way cryptographic hash - we cannot determine who submitted a rating
- Only aggregate rating data is shared (not session details, notes, or location)
- You can opt out at any time, and your future ratings will no longer be shared
If you do not opt in, your ratings remain completely private in your iCloud account.
Cigar Gifting
The gift sharing feature allows you to share cigars with other users via QR codes. Gift transactions include:
- Cigar details (brand, line, vitola)
- Optional gift message
- Sender and recipient information (for transaction matching only)
Gift data is stored in CloudKit and is only accessible to the sender and recipient.
Live Activities and Notifications
With your permission, the app may display:
- Live Activities on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island during active smoking sessions, showing elapsed time and session information
- Local notifications for session reminders, low stock alerts, and hourly check-ins during active sessions
Notification preferences can be managed in iOS Settings at any time.
Background Processing
The app performs background tasks to:
- Monitor active smoking sessions for automatic timeout (3-hour limit)
- Poll connected climate sensors for updated readings
- Sync data with iCloud when connectivity is restored
Background processing is handled locally on your device and does not transmit data to external servers other than Apple's iCloud and your configured sensor services.
Crash Reporting
The app uses Apple's MetricKit framework to collect crash reports and performance diagnostics. This data:
- Is collected and processed by Apple
- Contains no personally identifiable information
- Helps us improve app stability and performance
We do not use third-party crash reporting or analytics services.
Data We Do Not Collect
Smoke & Ash does not collect:
- Personal identification information (name, email, phone number) unless you choose to set a display username
- Payment or financial account information
- Device identifiers for advertising purposes
- Behavioral tracking data for advertising
- Data from other apps on your device
Third-Party Services
Smoke & Ash integrates with the following services:
- Apple iCloud/CloudKit - For secure data storage and sync (governed by Apple's Privacy Policy)
- Apple WeatherKit - For weather data during sessions (governed by Apple's Privacy Policy)
- Govee API - For Govee sensor data, if you connect sensors (governed by Govee's Privacy Policy)
- SensorPush API - For SensorPush sensor data, if you connect sensors (governed by SensorPush's Privacy Policy)
We do not use third-party analytics services, advertising networks, or social media tracking integrations.
Data Retention and Deletion
Your data remains in your iCloud account for as long as you choose to keep it. You can:
- Delete individual cigars, sessions, or humidors within the app at any time
- Opt out of community leaderboard sharing in Settings
- Disconnect sensor integrations in Settings
- Completely remove all app data by deleting the app and removing associated data from iCloud through iOS Settings
Children's Privacy
Smoke & Ash is intended for adult cigar enthusiasts only. The app is rated 17+ on the App Store. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under the age of 21.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the app after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: