Pulse Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Pulse collects, uses, and protects information when you use the Pulse iOS app. Pulse is a social music-sharing app where users sign in with a phone number, share what they are listening to, discover friends, and optionally connect music services.
Information we collect
- Phone number: used to create and secure your account through SMS verification.
- Account information: your username, profile details, selected music service, and account preferences.
- Profile photo: if you choose to upload one from your photo library.
- Contacts data: if you grant contacts access, Pulse reads contact phone numbers to help identify which of your contacts are already on Pulse.
- Music activity you choose to share: the tracks and pulses you post, plus related reactions and comments.
- Device token for notifications: used to send push notifications about Pulse activity and daily windows.
- Connected service data: if you choose to link Apple Music, Spotify, or Last.fm, Pulse uses those connections to support playback detection, linking, and profile features.
How we use your information
- To create and authenticate your account.
- To operate core app functionality, including posting pulses, displaying feeds, and supporting friend discovery.
- To help you find friends already using Pulse when you opt in to contacts sync.
- To display your shared music activity to the audience allowed by your account settings.
- To send app notifications and improve reliability and safety.
Contacts handling
When you enable contacts sync, Pulse uses contact phone numbers to look for matches with existing Pulse users. The app’s permission prompt and backend are designed around friend discovery, not advertising. Contact matching data is handled over HTTPS. Pulse does not use your contacts for third-party marketing.
Music service connections
Apple Music, Spotify, and Last.fm connections are optional. Pulse uses these integrations to help identify what you are listening to, improve linking to tracks, and support related profile and recommendation features. Pulse does not claim ownership of third-party music content.
Photos
If you select a profile image, Pulse accesses only the photo you choose. Photo library access is optional and is not required to create an account or use the feed.
Data sharing and tracking
Pulse is not designed as a cross-app tracking product. Based on the current app configuration, Pulse does not use your data for third-party advertising tracking. Data may be processed by service providers used to operate the app, such as cloud hosting, storage, authentication, and notification infrastructure.
Data retention and deletion
You can delete your account from inside the app in Settings. When you delete your account, Pulse removes your account and associated app data from the service consistent with the app’s backend deletion flow. Some operational records may remain temporarily in backups or logs for security and reliability purposes.
Your choices
- You can deny contacts or photo access in iOS Settings.
- You can choose whether to connect optional music services.
- You can manage notification permissions in iOS Settings.
- You can delete your account from within the app.
Contact
If you have privacy questions or requests about Pulse, contact onholt@ucdavis.edu.