Legal

Privacy Policy

For PST Reader

Effective Date: May 1, 2026 · Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Who We Are

PST Reader is published by an independent iOS and macOS developer (referred to in this policy as "we", "our", or "us"). You can reach us by email at [email protected].

This Privacy Policy describes how the PST Reader application for iPhone, iPad, and Mac (the "App") handles information.

Short version: we do not collect any personal data about you. Your .pst files are read on your device and are not sent to us or to any third party.

Information We Collect

We do not collect, store, or transmit any personal information. In particular, we do not collect:

  • your name, email address, phone number, or any other contact details;
  • the contents of your .pst files (messages, folders, attachments, contacts, calendar items);
  • your location;
  • analytics or usage statistics;
  • cookies, advertising identifiers, or any other tracking data;
  • account or registration data (the App has no accounts).

Because we do not collect personal data, we do not maintain a database of users.

What Stays on Your Device

The App stores a small amount of data locally so it can work between launches. None of this is sent to us or shared with third parties unless you explicitly choose to share it.

  • Recent files. File names, sizes, dates, and security-scoped bookmarks for archives you have opened. A security-scoped bookmark is an iOS/macOS mechanism that lets the App reopen a file you previously authorized; it does not contain the contents of the archive. You can clear the recent list inside the App at any time, and uninstalling the App removes it.
  • Settings. App preferences such as the preferred date format, stored using the system UserDefaults store.
  • Daily read counter. The number of messages you have opened in the current day, used to enforce the free-tier limit. It is stored in the system Keychain and consists of a number and a date. It contains no personal information.
  • Subscription status. Provided by Apple's StoreKit so the App can tell whether you are on the free tier or have an active premium subscription.
  • iCloud backup. If you have iCloud Backup enabled on your device, the locally stored items above may be included in your personal iCloud backup. This is controlled entirely by your device settings, not by the App.

How .pst Files Are Processed

When you open a .pst file, the App reads it directly from the location you chose (Files, iCloud Drive, an external drive, and so on). All parsing, decryption (Outlook's Compressible Encryption and High Encryption), rendering, and attachment preview happens on your device.

The App does not maintain its own copy of your archive, and it does not send the file or any portion of it to a server. The App does not require an internet connection to read mail.

Sharing and Exporting

You can share or save individual messages and attachments through the standard Apple share sheet. The destination (Files, Mail, Messages, AirDrop, and so on) is selected by you. The App does not log or otherwise track what you share. Nothing is shared automatically; every export is an explicit action you take.

Third Parties

Apple (App Store and StoreKit)

Premium subscriptions are sold and managed by Apple through the App Store. Apple is the merchant of record. We receive only the information needed to recognize an active subscription, namely the purchase confirmation and validity status. We do not see your payment details, Apple ID, billing address, or full name. Apple's own privacy policy applies to that transaction.

No analytics or advertising SDKs

The App does not include any analytics, crash reporting, advertising, or attribution SDKs. The App makes no network requests in connection with the contents of your archive.

Children

The App is not directed at children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the App, please contact us; because we do not collect personal data, there is normally nothing to delete.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under privacy laws such as the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), and similar regimes. These rights typically include access, correction, deletion, portability, and the right to object to processing.

Because we do not collect or hold personal data about you, we have nothing to provide, correct, delete, or transfer in response to such a request. You can still exercise control over the App's local data:

  • clear the recent files list inside the App;
  • delete all locally stored data by uninstalling the App;
  • cancel your subscription at any time through iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions;
  • contact us with any privacy question at [email protected].

California residents: we do not "sell" or "share" personal information as those terms are defined under the CCPA/CPRA, and we have no categories of personal information to disclose, because we do not collect any.

Premium Subscription

  • Subscriptions are billed and managed by Apple through the App Store.
  • We do not store, see, or process your payment information.
  • Free users can open up to 10 messages per day; the counter resets every 24 hours.
  • Premium users have unlimited message reads.
  • You can cancel a subscription at any time in iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions.

Security

We rely on the security features built into iOS and macOS, including app sandboxing, file-system permissions, the system Keychain, and iCloud encryption (where applicable). No method of electronic storage can be guaranteed to be perfectly secure. However, because the App does not transmit your archive contents anywhere, the surface area is limited to your own device.

International Use

The App is available worldwide through the Apple App Store. Because all processing of your .pst files happens on your device, no cross-border transfer of your data takes place on our side.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, for example to reflect new App functionality or changes in the law. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top. For material changes, we will also display a notice in the App the next time you open it. The basic commitment that we do not collect your personal data will not change.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the way the App handles data, please write to [email protected].

Summary

  • We do not collect personal data about you.
  • .pst files are read on your device and are not uploaded.
  • The only data stored locally is a recent files list, App settings, a daily read counter, and your Apple subscription status.
  • No analytics, no advertising, no tracking, no account.
  • Uninstalling the App removes everything stored on your device by it.
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