TL;DR
Your brew data stays on your device. We only access location (if you allow it) to show weather. Professor Bean's advice can be generated via OpenAI (cloud) or Apple Intelligence (on-device) — only anonymous brew parameters are sent, never personal information.
Introduction
Prof Bean ("we", "our", or "the app") is a coffee brewing companion app designed to help you track and improve your brews. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data.
Data We Collect
Brew Data (Stored Locally)
- Brew parameters you enter (dose, yield, time, grind size, etc.)
- Brew ratings and notes
- Custom fields you create
This data is stored only on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework. We do not have access to your brew records.
Location Data (Optional)
If you enable weather auto-fill, we request access to your location to:
- Fetch current weather conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure)
- Display weather data alongside your brew records
Your location is:
- Only accessed when you explicitly enable weather features
- Used solely to fetch weather data from WeatherAPI.com
- Never stored or tracked by us
- Processed according to WeatherAPI.com's Privacy Policy
AI Advice Feature
When you request brewing advice from Professor Bean, the app uses a tiered approach:
- OpenAI (Primary): When online, your brew parameters (grind size, dose, yield, taste notes, etc.) may be sent to OpenAI's API to generate personalized advice. No personal information, account details, or device identifiers are included — only the brewing data needed for the advice.
- Apple Intelligence (Fallback): On supported devices, advice can be generated entirely on-device using Apple Intelligence, with no data sent externally.
- Offline Mode: When offline, rule-based advice is provided locally without any network requests.
Usage is limited to 5 OpenAI requests per day to manage costs. A counter for this limit is stored securely in your device's Keychain (this counter persists even if the app is deleted, but contains no personal data).
Regional Restrictions
In regions where OpenAI services are not available (including mainland China), all AI-generated content is disabled. The app detects your region automatically using your device's App Store storefront and locale settings. In these regions, no brew data is sent to any external AI service, and Professor Bean's advice feature is not available. All other app features (brew logging, history, timer, etc.) continue to work normally.
Data We Do NOT Collect
- Personal identification (name, email, phone)
- Device identifiers or advertising IDs
- Usage analytics or telemetry
- Photos (any photos you take for brew cards stay on your device)
- Financial information
Summary
| Data Type | Collected | Stored | Shared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew records | Yes (you enter it) | On device only | No |
| Location | Only if enabled | Never | WeatherAPI (temp.) |
| Brew params for AI | When you request advice* | On device only | OpenAI (when online)* |
| Personal info | No | No | No |
| Analytics | No | No | No |
*AI features are disabled in regions where OpenAI is not available (including mainland China). No data is sent to any external AI service in these regions.
Third-Party Services
OpenAI
Used to generate Professor Bean's brewing advice when online.
- Only brew parameters are sent (grind size, dose, yield, time, taste notes)
- No personal information, device IDs, or account details are transmitted
- Requests are limited to 5 per day
Privacy Policy: openai.com/privacy
WeatherAPI.com
Used to fetch weather conditions when you enable weather auto-fill.
Privacy Policy: weatherapi.com/privacy.aspx
Apple Intelligence (On-Device)
On supported devices, Professor Bean can generate advice using Apple Intelligence as an alternative to OpenAI.
- All AI processing happens locally on your iPhone
- No brew data is sent to external servers
- Used as a fallback when OpenAI is unavailable or daily limit is reached
Data Storage & Security
- All brew data is stored locally on your device
- Data is protected by your device's built-in security (passcode, Face ID, Touch ID)
- We do not operate servers that store your personal data
Your Rights
You have full control over your data:
- Access: All your data is visible within the app
- Delete: Delete individual brews or all data through the app
- Location: Revoke location permission anytime in iOS Settings
- Export: Your data stays on your device and can be backed up via iCloud
Children's Privacy
Prof Bean does not knowingly collect data from children under 13. The app is designed for coffee enthusiasts of legal age to consume caffeine.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at: phc@profbean.com