Popcorn

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 16 June 2026

The short version. Popcorn doesn't ask you to create an account or hand over your name or email. Your watchlist lives in your own private iCloud, and the in‑app movie companion runs entirely on your device. The app collects only the minimal, non‑identifying diagnostics needed to keep it stable and working well — and never sells your data or shows you ads.

On this page

Who we are

Popcorn (“the app”) is a personal project developed by Adam Young (“we”, “us”, the “developer”), a sole individual based in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of UK GDPR, the developer is the data controller for the limited information described below. You can reach us at me@adam-young.co.uk.

This policy explains what information the app handles when you use it on iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Vision Pro.

Information Popcorn handles

Movies and TV you browse and search

All film, television and people information shown in Popcorn comes from The Movie Database (TMDb). When you browse or search, the app sends the necessary requests (such as your search terms and the titles you open) to TMDb so it can return the relevant content and images. These requests are not linked by us to your identity. TMDb's own privacy policy governs its handling of that data.

Your watchlist

When you add titles to your watchlist, they are stored on your device and synced through your own private iCloud account (Apple's CloudKit) so they're available across your Apple devices. This data resides in your personal iCloud container — the developer cannot see or access your watchlist. Apple's handling of iCloud data is covered by the Apple Privacy Policy. If you sign out of iCloud or disable iCloud for Popcorn, syncing stops and your watchlist remains only on your device.

On‑device movie companion and games

Popcorn's intelligent movie companion and certain games use Apple Intelligence (on‑device foundation models) to generate responses. The prompts and conversations are processed locally on your device. We do not receive, store or have access to the content of these interactions, and they are not sent to the developer's servers.

Diagnostics and crash reports

To keep the app stable, Popcorn uses Sentry to collect crash reports and error diagnostics. This may include technical information such as the type of device, operating system version, app version, the nature of an error, and a randomly generated installation identifier (described below). It does not include your name, email or contact details. This information is used solely to identify and fix problems.

Feature configuration and usage

Popcorn uses Statsig to manage feature flags — deciding which features are turned on — and to understand, in aggregate, how features are used. Statsig receives a randomly generated installation identifier and basic, non‑identifying information about feature usage on your device. It is not used to build a personal profile of you.

Installation identifier

The app generates a random identifier (a UUID) the first time it runs and stores it on your device. It is used to group diagnostic events and to evaluate feature flags consistently. It is not derived from your Apple Account, hardware, name or any personal information, and it cannot be used to identify you. Deleting and reinstalling the app generates a new identifier.

What we don't collect

Third‑party services

Popcorn relies on a small number of third‑party services to function. Each handles data under its own privacy policy:

Where UK/EU data protection law applies, we rely on our legitimate interests in operating, securing and improving the app — specifically, keeping it stable (diagnostics) and delivering features reliably (configuration). This processing uses only minimal, non‑identifying technical data. Content requests to TMDb and watchlist syncing through your iCloud are processing necessary to provide the functionality you've asked the app to perform.

Data retention

Diagnostic and feature‑usage data is retained only as long as needed for its purpose — to diagnose issues and operate features — in line with the retention practices of Sentry and Statsig, and then deleted or aggregated. Your watchlist is kept in your iCloud for as long as you choose to keep it; removing items in the app or deleting the app removes it from your device, and you control the iCloud copy through your Apple Account.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete or restrict the processing of personal data, and to object to processing. Because Popcorn doesn't hold information that identifies you by name, we typically cannot link the minimal technical data above to a specific person. If you have a question or wish to make a request, contact us at me@adam-young.co.uk and we'll do our best to help. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk) or your local supervisory authority.

Children

Popcorn is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. The app does not require any personal information to use.

International transfers

The third‑party services above may process data on servers located outside your country, including in the United States. Where this happens, those providers implement appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) in line with applicable data protection law.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time — for example, if the app's features change. When we do, we'll revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be reflected here before they take effect.

Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how Popcorn handles information, please email me@adam-young.co.uk.

This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb.