This is proposed publication text. The effective date will be stated in the publication notice. Before publication, the publication page should identify the provider by its legal name and include other legally required disclosures. The contact email throughout is gaoxiangsoft@163.com.
1 Scope and provider
This Privacy Policy explains how SkyScapeKit handles information when providing its macOS photography tools and how its developer handles support information you voluntarily submit. “We” and “us” mean the developer and provider of SkyScapeKit. You can contact us at gaoxiangsoft@163.com.
This policy covers SkyScapeKit itself and directly related support communications. The App Store, TestFlight, macOS, email services, and cloud or synchronization services you choose handle information under their respective providers’ policies.
SkyScapeKit performs panorama stitching, stacking, and RGB + Hα alignment locally on your Mac. The current version has no account registration, embedded advertising, or behavioral analytics service. It does not proactively upload your photos, capture metadata, projects, or processing results to us.
2 Information processed locally
Photos and capture information. The app reads supported files you select, including photos, RAW, TIFF, and FITS files, together with existing camera, lens, exposure, capture time, orientation, and other metadata needed for processing. Location or other information already embedded in a source file may also be read or retained with that file; the app does not use it to build a history of your movements.
Projects and results. The app processes project settings, references to source files, alignment or stitching parameters, previews, intermediate results, and exports locally to process, save, reopen, and export your work.
File access and preferences. The app may store selected file paths, macOS security-scoped bookmarks, working storage locations, appearance preferences, and other settings. Bookmarks allow continued access to authorized files or folders within system permissions; they do not give us remote access.
Diagnostics. Errors, processing status, app versions, system environment information, and file paths may be recorded locally. These records may indirectly contain personal information, such as a username in a path. The app does not automatically send these local logs to us.
3 Purposes and grounds for processing
Local information is used to read and correct images, detect and match features, stitch, stack, align, preview, recover projects, save and export work, manage storage, diagnose errors, and retain preferences. The app does not process your photos or projects for advertising, cross-app tracking, or marketing profiles.
For personal information we actually receive through support communications, we process it only on grounds permitted by applicable law, such as responding to your request, performing our agreement where necessary, obtaining valid consent, or meeting legal obligations. Where separate consent or another specific procedure is required, it must be completed before that processing begins; this policy does not replace it.
We do not use your photos, projects, or support materials to train general-purpose artificial intelligence models, and we do not obtain rights to use them in advertising or public displays. If we plan a new use outside this policy, we will explain it in advance and obtain the relevant consent where legally required.
4 File permissions and local storage
The app obtains file access through macOS file or folder selection dialogs. You may decline access; importing, reopening, processing, or exporting the affected files may then be unavailable. You can manage authorization through available system permission controls, by changing the scope of file access, or by stopping use.
Temporary files and intermediate results are stored in app-managed working storage. You can view or select its location in Settings → Cache Storage. Exported files are saved where you choose. Processing large images may require substantial disk space and memory.
Saved projects may depend on processing results in working storage or references to original files. Before deleting or moving resources, check project dependencies and keep backups. A folder being called a “cache” does not by itself mean its contents are safe to delete.
5 Voluntary feedback and contact information
When you email us or send support materials, we receive your email address, message, attachments, and any other information they contain. You may choose to supply screenshots, logs, project excerpts, photos, or capture metadata. Unless needed for diagnosis, remove names, locations, personal information in paths, and unrelated content, and avoid sending sensitive information about other people.
We use these materials to respond to your request, reproduce and resolve issues, and retain necessary support records. Sending materials does not transfer your photo copyrights or give us rights to publish them, promote them, or train models with them. If disclosing identifiable materials to external technical support is necessary, we will explain the disclosure and obtain legally required authorization first, unless the law requires otherwise.
“Copy Version and System Information” copies the displayed information to your local clipboard. If you enable Universal Clipboard or similar system features, subsequent synchronization is controlled by the system and your settings. “Send Email” opens your email app; you decide whether to send a message and what it contains.
6 Apple and other independent services
App Store or TestFlight installation, purchases, updates, and testing, and any crash reports, diagnostics, or testing feedback Apple collects or makes available to developers under your settings, are Apple services. Such information may include device, system, and app versions, crash details, or testing feedback, depending on what Apple actually provides. If we receive it, we use it only for support, debugging, and improving app reliability.
If you store files, projects, working storage, or exports in iCloud Drive, another synchronized folder, a network drive, or external storage, the relevant system, service provider, or device may transmit, synchronize, or retain them. Local processing by the app does not mean services you configure cannot transfer files away from your Mac.
When you send email or open external links, your email provider, browser, and destination website may process communication or access data. We do not control their independent processing. Please review the policies and settings of the services you use.
7 Sharing and international processing
We do not sell or rent your personal information, share it for cross-app advertising tracking, or automatically provide local photos or projects to advertisers. We do not hold your local content except for support materials you send, information Apple makes available under your settings, or other information lawfully obtained.
Support information we hold may be handled by the email and necessary technical service providers we use, only as needed for communication, storage, or support. Information may also be disclosed to the extent legally required or lawfully necessary to protect legitimate rights.
Local photo processing does not require an international upload to us. The processing locations for emails you send and information handled by Apple or other independent services depend on their arrangements. If we undertake an international provision of personal information requiring additional notices, consent, contracts, or safeguards, we will first meet those requirements. This policy is not blanket consent to unspecified international transfers.
8 Retention backups and deletion
Originals, projects, and exports you manage generally remain until you delete them or the relevant storage service handles them under its rules. Retention of preferences, bookmarks, local logs, and working storage depends on app operation, system management, and your cleanup actions. We do not centrally manage these local copies remotely.
We retain support materials we actually receive only for as long as necessary to handle the issue, provide reasonable follow-up, maintain security, and meet applicable legal obligations. The period depends on the issue and legal requirements. When no longer needed, we will delete or appropriately de-identify them. You may also request deletion by email.
Removing the app does not necessarily remove separately saved originals, projects, exports, external working storage, system backups, or data retained by service providers. Deleting a project or cache does not delete attachments already emailed. Manage each storage location separately and back up projects and their dependencies before cleanup.
9 Your rights and choices
You can use local file and system tools to view, copy, back up, move, or delete your files, change preferences and file permissions, stop processing, or stop using the app. There is no account system, so the app has no account deletion or server-side photo library deletion function.
For personal information we actually hold, contact gaoxiangsoft@163.com to request information about processing, access or a copy, correction, deletion, withdrawal of consent, restriction or objection, or other rights available under applicable law. We may reasonably verify your identity and the relevant records where necessary, without asking for information unrelated to the request.
We will handle requests as required by law and respond within applicable statutory periods. If a request cannot be met in whole or part, we will explain the reasons and available options where permitted by law. Withdrawal of consent does not affect prior lawful processing or information that must be retained on another lawful ground. You may complain to a competent privacy or data protection authority as provided by law.
10 Security
The app uses macOS file authorization and isolation mechanisms, and measures appropriate to its processing activities are used to protect information. You should also secure your device and login credentials, keep your system updated, and back up important work. Check recipients and attachments before sending email.
No software, storage medium, or communication method can guarantee absolute security. If a security incident affects personal information we actually process, we will take measures required by applicable law and notify affected individuals or authorities where legally required.
11 Children and minors
The app is intended for general photography use and does not seek to collect minors’ personal information. Minors should use the app and send support materials with parental or guardian guidance or consent where applicable law requires it.
We will observe applicable special protections for personal information of children under fourteen and for other minors whose information requires guardian consent by law. If you are a guardian and believe a child sent us personal information without required consent, contact the email above. We will verify the matter and take appropriate action, including deletion, as required by law.
12 Policy changes and contact
We may update this policy as features, processing practices, or legal requirements change, and communicate updates through in-app information, policies supplied with releases, or other appropriate means. For material changes to purposes, information categories, recipients, or important rights, we will give clear notice before new processing begins and obtain renewed consent where required. Continued use alone does not replace legally required valid consent.
For privacy questions, rights requests, or complaints, contact gaoxiangsoft@163.com. State your app version and the issue or request, and provide only the information needed to handle it.
Chinese and English versions are provided with the intention of conveying the same content. Any difference should be interpreted in context and under applicable law. No interpretation may reduce your mandatory legal rights.
