Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Overview

DigiDecoder is an amateur radio digital mode identifier, decoder, and encoder for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It decodes modes such as FT8, FT4, JS8, CW, RTTY, Olivia, Packet, and SSTV, and it can encode and transmit SSTV images, CW, FT8/FT4, and Packet, including over a Bluetooth or network KISS TNC. Your privacy matters. This policy explains exactly what data DigiDecoder handles, where it goes, and how to control it.

Microphone Access

DigiDecoder requires microphone access to listen for and decode amateur radio digital mode signals. Audio is processed in real time on your device and is never recorded, stored, or transmitted off the device. The audio exists only momentarily in memory during analysis.

Local Data

The following data is stored locally on your device:

• Session history – decoded signal entries (mode, message, timestamp) shown in the History tab during the current session. Cleared when the app is closed.
• Saved messages – entries you explicitly bookmark are persisted on your device using Apple's SwiftData / Core Data store. They remain until you delete them.
• SSTV images – received and encoded SSTV images are saved to the app's local Documents folder. You may optionally save them to your Photo Library.
• Preferences – settings such as waterfall color scheme, enabled decoders, input/output gain, and the analytics opt-in toggle are stored locally.

iCloud Sync (Optional)

If you enable iCloud sync for Saved Messages in the History tab, your saved entries are synced via Apple's CloudKit to your private iCloud database. This data lives in your own iCloud account and is not visible or accessible to the developer. iCloud sync is off by default and can be turned off at any time. Disabling it stops further syncing; entries already in your iCloud remain there until you delete them in the app or via iCloud settings.

Photo Library Access

DigiDecoder may request permission to save decoded or encoded SSTV images to your Photo Library, and to pick a source image for SSTV encoding. Photo access is only used for these explicit user-initiated actions. No images are accessed or read from your Photo Library otherwise.

Bluetooth & Local Network (TNC)

DigiDecoder can connect to an external KISS TNC to transmit and receive Packet (AX.25 / FX.25) frames. Connecting over Bluetooth (for example a Mobilinkd TNC) uses Bluetooth access, and connecting over your local network (for example Direwolf) uses local network access. These connections are made only when you select a Bluetooth or network TNC and start a connection. DigiDecoder communicates directly with the TNC you choose; no TNC data is sent to the developer.

Anonymous Usage Analytics

DigiDecoder uses Mixpanel to collect anonymous, aggregated usage analytics that help improve the app. This is enabled by default and can be turned off any time under Settings → Privacy → Share Usage Data (iOS) or Settings → General → Privacy (macOS).

What is never sent:

• Decoded message text, callsigns, or any radio content.
• SSTV image contents.
• Caption text you type.
• Audio samples or recordings.
• Your Apple ID, email address, or any account-linkable identifier.

Analytics events are processed by Mixpanel under their privacy policy. The app does not request the iOS App Tracking Transparency prompt because it does not use the IDFA or perform cross-app tracking.

In-App Purchases

DigiDecoder uses Apple's StoreKit for the optional 7-day free trial and one-time full unlock. Purchase processing is handled entirely by Apple. The developer receives no payment details, only the anonymous transaction confirmation Apple provides.

Network Communication

All audio processing and signal decoding happens on your device. The app communicates over the network only for:

• Sending anonymous analytics events to Mixpanel (when enabled).
• Syncing your saved messages to your private iCloud database (when iCloud sync is enabled).
• StoreKit purchase verification with Apple's servers.
• Connecting to a KISS TNC on your local network or over Bluetooth, when you choose that Packet output. Frames go directly to the TNC you select, not to the developer.

Third-Party Services

• Apple iCloud / CloudKit – optional sync of your saved messages, in your private iCloud database.
• Apple StoreKit – trial and purchase processing.
• Mixpanel – anonymous usage analytics, opt-out available in Settings.

The app does not use advertising networks or cross-app tracking SDKs.

Website Analytics

This privacy page is part of the va7lsz.com website. The website itself uses Mixpanel to understand how visitors discover and navigate the site, including anonymous interaction events (such as page views and clicks) and session replays of activity on the website. This covers only your use of this website, runs in your browser, and is separate from the DigiDecoder app's in-app analytics described above. It is processed by Mixpanel, Inc. under their privacy policy.

Your Choices

• Turn analytics off any time under Settings → Privacy → Share Usage Data.
• Enable or disable iCloud sync of Saved Messages from the History tab.
• Clear session and saved history at any time inside the app.
• Revoke microphone, photo library, Bluetooth, or local network access from your device's system Settings.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at digidecoder@va7lsz.com.