Cortex Lantern Privacy Policy

We care about your focus and your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how Cortex Lantern ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses and protects information about you when you:

• Use the Cortex Lantern mobile app (iOS and Android), and
• Visit our website at https://cortexlantern.app (together, the "Services").

If you have any questions, you can email us at support@cortexlantern.app.

1. Who we are

Cortex Lantern is a digital product designed to help you build your attention span using short focus sprints and five cognitive pathways (Focus, Learn, Create, Connect, Solve).

Data controller:
Cortex Lantern
Email: support@cortexlantern.app
Website: https://cortexlantern.app

If you are in the UK or EU, we process your personal data in line with the UK GDPR / EU GDPR and applicable data protection laws.

2. What this policy covers

This policy covers:

• The Cortex Lantern mobile app
• The Cortex Lantern website and any pages we link this policy from

It does not cover websites or services we do not control, even if we link to them (for example, external help docs, blogs, app stores, or third-party sites).

3. What information we collect

We design Cortex Lantern to collect as little personal data as possible. We group the information we may collect into three categories:

3.1 Information you provide directly

In the app:

• First name (optional) – used to personalise your greeting (for example, "Welcome back, Sisi 👋").
• Daily focus goal – how many focus sessions per day you would like to aim for.

On the website:

• If you contact us (for example by email), we may receive:
  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • The contents of your message and any additional information you choose to provide

We do not require you to create an account or provide an email address to use the app in V1.

3.2 Information we collect automatically

When you use the app or website, certain information is collected automatically for security, analytics and performance purposes, for example:

• Device information (device model, operating system version, language)
• App version and basic performance data (such as crashes and error logs)
• In-app events such as:
  • Which focus modes you use (Focus, Learn, Create, Connect, Solve)
  • Session durations (for example 15, 25, 45, 90 minutes)
  • Completion of sessions and streak length

On the website, we may also collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Pages visited and actions taken
• Cookies or similar technologies (see section 6)

Where possible, we use this information in aggregated or pseudonymous form to understand overall usage patterns rather than track individual people.

3.3 Data stored only on your device

Some data is stored locally on your device and not routinely transmitted to us, such as:

• Your profile (first name, daily goal)
• Your streak and total minutes of focus
• Local app settings (for example, analytics toggle, sound/vibration preferences)

If you use the "Reset all data" option in Settings, we will delete this local data from the app on your device. This does not automatically delete any diagnostic data already processed by our hosting or analytics providers.

4. How we use your information

We use your information to:

Provide and improve the app

• Run focus sessions, track your streak and minutes
• Remember your preferred mode and daily goal
• Maintain app stability, performance and security

Understand usage and improve features

• See which modes and session lengths are most popular
• Identify where people drop off in the journey
• Decide what to build or improve next

Communicate with you

• Respond to support requests
• Send important service updates (for example, changes to this policy)

We do not sell your personal data.

5. Legal bases (UK/EU users)

Where the UK GDPR / EU GDPR applies, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Performance of a contract – to provide the app and its core features to you.
• Legitimate interests – to understand how the app is used, improve it, prevent abuse, and keep it secure.
• Consent – where required, for analytics or marketing activities. If we use consent for certain analytics or cookies, we will provide a way to manage your preferences.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

On our website, we may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences
• Understand how people use the site
• Improve performance and security

Where required by law, we will show you a cookie banner or preference tool explaining what is used and giving you control.

The mobile app may use device identifiers or similar mechanisms via our analytics tools. You can usually control tracking preferences in your device settings as well as within the app (for example, via an analytics or privacy toggle in Settings).

7. How we share information

We may share data with:

Service providers
Hosting providers, analytics services, error monitoring tools, and customer support tools that help us operate the Services. They only process data on our behalf and under our instructions.

Legal and safety reasons
If we are required to by law, or if it is necessary to protect our rights, users, or the public.

Business transfers
If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or transfer of assets, your data may be transferred as part of that process, subject to appropriate protections.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

8. International transfers

Our service providers may be located in countries outside the UK or EU. Where personal data is transferred internationally, we take steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (for example, Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent mechanisms).

9. Data retention

We keep your information only for as long as necessary to:

• Provide the Services
• Improve and secure the app
• Comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes

In practice:

• Local profile and streak data is kept on your device until you delete the app or use "Reset all data".
• Analytics and diagnostic data is retained according to the policies of our service providers and our internal retention rules, typically in aggregated form.

10. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights over your personal data, such as:

• Access – ask for a copy of your personal data
• Rectification – correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure – ask us to delete some data
• Restriction – ask us to limit how we use your data
• Portability – receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Objection – object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing
• Withdraw consent – where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@cortexlantern.app. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

11. Children's privacy

Cortex Lantern is not intended for children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under this age. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

12. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Limiting the personal data we collect
• Using secure hosting and encrypted connections where appropriate
• Restricting access to systems to authorised personnel only

No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a data incident that affects you, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top and, where appropriate, notify you in the app or by other means.

14. Contact us

If you have questions or concerns about this policy, or you wish to exercise your data rights, you can contact us at:

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