Pile — Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

Pile is a local-first reading app. Your saved articles live on your device and, if you use iCloud, in your private iCloud account. Most of Pile works with no servers of ours involved at all.

What stays on your device

Your saved articles, their contents, tags, notes, and highlights are stored locally on your device using Apple's on-device storage, and are mirrored through your private iCloud account if iCloud is enabled. Any Raindrop.io token is stored locally on your device only.

Browser saving (optional)

If you choose to connect a browser (for example, the Pile Chrome extension) so you can save pages from your computer, Pile operates a small relay service that holds those saves until your devices pull them in. When you use this feature we process:

• Your email address — used only to send you a one-time sign-in link and to associate your saved pages with your account. We never email you marketing.
• The pages you save — the URL, title, and a cleaned reader copy of the page you chose to save.

These saves are transient: the relay holds a saved page only until all of your linked devices have downloaded it, after which it is automatically deleted. Saved pages are deleted within 30 days of delivery, and nothing is retained on the relay beyond 90 days. You can disconnect a browser at any time from Settings, and you can request deletion of your account and all associated data by emailing us.

AI features (Pile Patron)

When AI features are enabled, article text and bookmark metadata is sent to a secure proxy server solely to generate responses. No data is stored after the request completes.

Analytics

Pile does not use any analytics or tracking SDKs.

Data security

All data sent between your devices and our services — the browser-saving relay, the AI proxy, Raindrop, and iCloud — is transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections. The relay stores saved pages only briefly (see above) and the database is access-controlled.

We do not sell your data

Pile does not sell, rent, or share your personal data or saved content with third parties for advertising or any other purpose. The only parties that receive your data are the service providers listed below, acting solely to deliver features you have turned on.

Children

Pile is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

Service providers

• Apple iCloud — if enabled, your library mirrors to your private iCloud account.
• Raindrop.io — if you import or sync with Raindrop, bookmarks are exchanged with their API using your personal token.
• Vercel & Neon — host the browser-saving relay and its database (only used if you connect a browser).
• Resend — delivers the one-time sign-in email for browser saving.
• RevenueCat — manages your Pile Patron subscription. Subject to RevenueCat's privacy policy.

Your choices

Browser saving is entirely optional and off until you connect a browser. If you never connect one, no email or saved-page data is sent to our relay. Disconnecting a browser stops new saves and revokes that device's access.

Contact

Questions, or want your account and data deleted? Email hellojustin1988@gmail.com.