Bookshelf · Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 11, 2026

About this policy

Bookshelf is an application for Apple devices developed by Huseyin Cem Ozturk ("we," "us," or "the developer"). This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled when you use Bookshelf.

Bookshelf is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Goodreads. Goodreads is a trademark of Goodreads LLC.

Information you provide

Goodreads RSS feed URL

To use Bookshelf, you provide the RSS feed URL associated with your Goodreads account. You can add it in either of two ways:

• Copy the RSS feed URL from Goodreads and paste it into Bookshelf.
• Open Goodreads in Bookshelf’s in-app browser, sign in on the Goodreads website, and tap the RSS icon. Bookshelf detects the resulting RSS URL and saves that URL for use by the app.

The RSS feed URL is stored locally on your device. Bookshelf does not send it to a server operated by us.

Goodreads sign-in

If you use the in-app browser, you enter your Goodreads credentials directly into the Goodreads website. Bookshelf does not ask for, read, or store your Goodreads password. Goodreads controls the sign-in page and its handling of credentials, cookies, and other website data. You can avoid the in-app browser by copying and pasting your RSS URL instead.

Information processed on your device

Bookshelf processes and stores the following information locally on your device:

• Your Goodreads RSS feed URL.
• Book information contained in the feed, such as titles, authors, cover image URLs, shelf or reading status, dates, and other fields Goodreads includes in the feed.
• Downloaded and cached book-cover images.
• Reading calendar information and insights derived from the feed.
• Your yearly book and page goals.
• Book information from your Goodreads did-not-finish shelf, used when creating tier lists.
• Your tier list draft.
• App preferences and widget configurations.
• Data shared with Bookshelf’s Home Screen widgets.

We do not have access to this locally stored information. Bookshelf does not use it for advertising, user profiling, or tracking across apps or websites.

Photos

When you add a photo to a share image, you choose it with the system photo picker. Bookshelf receives only the photo you select, not access to your photo library. It resizes the photo for use on the share canvas and may read the photo’s capture date from its metadata to label it. The photo stays on your device and is not uploaded to us.

If you save a share image to your photo library, Bookshelf asks for permission to add photos. This permission lets Bookshelf save new images but not view your existing library.

Sharing

Share images and tier lists you create are rendered on your device. They leave your device only when you send them somewhere yourself, for example through the system share sheet. The app or person you share with handles them under their own policies.

Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight

Bookshelf adds your books, including titles, authors, shelves, ratings, and cover thumbnails, to your device’s Spotlight search index so you can find them in search. When you ask Siri or run a Shortcut about your reading, Bookshelf answers from the data stored on your device. Apple processes Siri requests, Shortcuts, and Spotlight under its own privacy policies, not ours.

Motion sensors

The book picker uses your device’s motion sensors to detect shakes and tilt for animation and haptic effects. Motion data is used only on your device, in the moment, and is not stored or transmitted.

Network connections and third-party services

Goodreads

Bookshelf connects directly from your device to Goodreads to open its website and fetch the RSS feed you provide. Goodreads may receive standard connection information, such as your IP address, device or browser information, and request details. Goodreads handles that information under its own Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Book-cover hosts and external links

Feed entries may contain cover images or links hosted by Goodreads, Amazon, publishers, content delivery networks, or other third parties. When Bookshelf requests that content, the relevant host may receive standard network information such as your IP address and request details. Their own privacy policies apply. If you choose to open an external link, the destination website may also collect information under its own policies.

Apple services and diagnostics

Bookshelf contains no third-party analytics, advertising, or crash-reporting SDKs. Apple may collect and make available App Store, usage, performance, or diagnostic information according to your device settings and Apple’s policies. Some usage and quality data is available to developers only when users opt in and Apple’s privacy thresholds are met. This processing is performed by Apple, not by Bookshelf.

You can review Apple’s practices in App Store & Privacy and manage analytics sharing under Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements on your Apple device. The exact location of this setting may vary by platform and operating-system version.

Information we do not collect

• Bookshelf does not require or create a Bookshelf account.
• We do not collect your Goodreads password or authentication credentials.
• We do not collect your reading library on developer-operated servers.
• We do not use third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs.
• We do not sell or share your reading data or RSS feed URL.

Data retention and deletion

Bookshelf retains its local data on your device for as long as the app needs it to show your shelf, widgets, calendar, and insights. Deleting Bookshelf removes its locally stored app data from that device. Device backups are managed by Apple and may retain app data according to your iCloud or computer-backup settings and Apple’s retention practices.

You can disconnect your Goodreads shelf in Bookshelf’s Settings. Disconnecting stops future RSS feed requests and deletes the feed URL, cached books and covers, your yearly goals, and your tier list draft from that device, and removes your books from Spotlight search. App-wide preferences, such as your accent color and appearance, remain until you delete the app. You can also replace the feed URL by connecting a different shelf.

Security

Local Bookshelf data is protected by Apple platform security features, including app sandboxing and device encryption when enabled. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Keep your device and RSS feed URL secure and use an up-to-date version of your device’s operating system.

Support communications

If you email us, we receive your email address and any information you choose to include. When you send feedback from Bookshelf’s Settings, the message is prefilled with your Goodreads user ID, device model, app version, and operating-system version to help us diagnose problems. Suggestions for other book trackers include only the app and operating-system versions. The email opens in your own mail app, and you can review, edit, or remove these details before sending. Nothing is sent unless you send it.

We use support emails only to respond, provide support, protect the app, or meet legal obligations. We retain support messages only as long as reasonably necessary for those purposes.

Children’s privacy

Bookshelf is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through developer-operated servers. Goodreads and Apple may apply their own age requirements and policies to their services.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as Bookshelf changes. The revised policy will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date. Material changes may also be communicated in the app when appropriate.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact Huseyin Cem Ozturk at apps@hcemozturk.com.