Legal and accessibility
Privacy Policy and Terms
Privacy Policy
Low Tide Calm ("we", "us", "our") is operated by Cian O'Driscoll, sole trader trading as Low Tide Calm, based in Wicklow, Ireland. This policy explains how the app handles your data. The short version: it doesn't collect any.
Data collection
Low Tide Calm does not collect, store, transmit, or share any personal data whatsoever. The app has no user accounts, no login, no registration, and no analytics. There is no backend server. There are no third-party SDKs, trackers, or advertising frameworks embedded in the app.
What data stays on your device
Your check-in history, journal entries, dopamine menu counters, custom activities, custom categories, breathing session history, breathing session preferences, theme preference, and all app settings are stored exclusively in local storage on your device. We never collect, transmit, or store this data on our servers.
The app also records the timestamp of your first use locally on your device. This is used only to gauge when to show a one-time support prompt after seven days of active use. This timestamp is never sent anywhere.
You can clear this data at any time by using "Reset All Data" in Settings, or by clearing the app's data or uninstalling. This is permanent and cannot be undone.
Privacy and ergonomic features
The app includes two optional features for managing how it appears on your device. Both are off or set to a default until you change them, and both store their settings only in local storage on your device.
Hide Journal: a toggle in Settings that removes the Journal tab from the bottom navigation and blocks direct URL access to the journal page. Your existing journal entries are never deleted by this toggle. Turning it off restores both the tab and direct access immediately, with all your entries intact.
Return to Home when idle: an optional inactivity timer that automatically returns the app to the Home screen after a chosen period of no input. Allowed durations are off, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 5 minutes (the default is 1 minute). Only the chosen duration is saved to local storage; the timer state itself is held in memory while the app is open and resets on each launch. The timer pauses automatically during breathing exercises, Crisis Protocol, Steady Focus, Transition Timer, when the app is in the background, and when you are already on the Home screen.
Internet access
Low Tide Calm does not require an internet connection to function. All features work fully offline after the initial load. The app makes no network requests during normal use. All fonts, icons, styles, and application code are bundled within the app itself and served from the same origin as the app.
Payment processing
Low Tide Calm is free to download and use. If you choose to support the app through Ko-fi, that transaction is handled entirely by Ko-fi under their own terms and privacy policy. We do not collect or store any payment information.
Third-party services
We do not use third-party analytics, advertising networks, crash reporting tools, or tracking services of any kind. No behavioural data is collected or shared with any third parties.
This app and its associated website are hosted using Cloudflare, Inc. infrastructure. In the course of delivering content to your device, Cloudflare may process limited technical data such as your IP address and request metadata. Cloudflare acts as a data processor on our behalf and is bound by its Data Processing Addendum (DPA), which incorporates EU Standard Contractual Clauses and a UK Addendum to ensure compliance with GDPR and UK data protection law. Cloudflare does not sell personal data and processes it solely for the purpose of delivering the service. You can review Cloudflare's DPA at cloudflare.com/cloudflare-customer-dpa and their privacy policy at cloudflare.com/privacypolicy.
All fonts used in this app are self-hosted and bundled within the app itself. No requests are made to Google Fonts or any other external font service, and no font-related data is shared with any third party.
Cookies and local storage
We use local storage on your device to save your app preferences and data. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party analytics of any kind.
Data retention and deletion
All data is stored locally on your device and remains under your full control. To delete your data, use "Reset All Data" in Settings, clear the app's data through your device's app settings, or uninstall the app. Deletions are permanent and cannot be undone.
Children's privacy
Low Tide Calm is intended for adult users aged 18 and over. The app is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from any user regardless of age. Since no personal data is collected, transmitted, or stored on our servers, there is no data to protect, retrieve, or delete on a user's behalf. If you believe a child has used the app, you can clear all locally stored data using "Reset All Data" in Settings or by uninstalling the app.
Your rights
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable data protection laws, you have rights over your personal data, including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing of, and port your data, as well as the right to object to processing. As this app holds no personal data on our servers, all data rights are exercised directly on your device through the controls described above.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission, the supervisory authority for data protection in Ireland, if you believe your data protection rights have been infringed. Contact details are available at dataprotection.ie.
For any questions about this policy or your data, contact cian@lowtidecalm.ie.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated "Last updated" date and version number at the top. We recommend reviewing this page periodically. Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
Cian O'Driscoll
Low Tide Calm
Wicklow, Ireland
cian@lowtidecalm.ie
lowtidecalm.ie
Terms and Conditions
1. Acceptance of terms
By downloading or using Low Tide Calm ("the app"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, do not use the app.
2. Description of service
Low Tide Calm is a self-regulation and wellbeing app providing breathing exercises, nervous system regulation tools (including Steady Focus, formerly known as Body Doubling), a dopamine menu, journalling, and check-in tracking. The app is designed to be accessible for neurodivergent users but is not a treatment for ADHD, autism, or any other condition.
3. Not medical advice
Low Tide Calm is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It does not provide medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. The content and tools are for general wellbeing and self-regulation purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a mental health professional immediately. The crisis resources signposted in the app are general guidance and not a substitute for professional help.
Some breathing exercises in the app, including 4-7-8 breathing and box breathing, involve deliberate breath-holding patterns. If you have asthma, COPD, are pregnant, have a heart condition or blood-pressure concerns, or live with panic disorder, please discuss these patterns with your GP before using them. Coherence breathing (offered as Emergency Calm in the app) is a gentler, even-paced alternative without breath-holds and is generally suitable when the breath-hold patterns are not. These are signposts, not instructions. What you do with them is yours.
4. Access
This app does not require account creation or sign-in. All features are available immediately after download. No personal information is required to use the app.
5. Payment and support
Low Tide Calm is free to download and use. All core features are available at no cost, with no account required. If you find the app helpful, you can support its continued development via Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/lowtidecalm. Tips are entirely voluntary and do not unlock additional features.
6. Local data
Your check-in history, journal entries, and app preferences are stored locally on your device. We are not responsible for data loss caused by clearing the app's data, uninstalling the app, changing devices, or other actions that affect local storage.
7. Internet requirement
An internet connection is not required to use the app. All core features work fully offline after the initial load.
8. Intellectual property
All original content, design, and code authored by Cian O'Driscoll for Low Tide Calm is his property. The app uses third-party open-source libraries under permissive licences (see Open Source Licenses in Settings). Those components remain the property of their respective authors. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from the original authored content without written permission.
9. Limitation of liability
Low Tide Calm is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the app.
10. Changes to terms
We may update these terms from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated "Last updated" date and version number at the top. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact
For questions about these terms, contact Cian O'Driscoll at cian@lowtidecalm.ie.
12. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of Ireland. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland.
Accessibility
Low Tide Calm is built specifically for neurodivergent minds, so accessibility is a core design principle rather than an afterthought. The app aims to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA. We do not currently claim full Level AA conformance and instead document known gaps honestly in the full statement.
Key features include respect for operating system reduced-motion preferences, an optional ND Mode with larger text and tap targets, light and dark themes, accessible labels on all interactive elements, fully offline operation, and 44x44 pixel minimum tap targets in line with WCAG 2.5.5.
As a sole trader microenterprise, Low Tide Calm is not subject to formal compliance requirements under the European Accessibility Act for services. Accessibility work is undertaken voluntarily. The full accessibility statement, including known limitations, testing methodology, and scope, is available within the app under Settings.
If you encounter something in Low Tide Calm that is harder to use than it should be, please contact cian@lowtidecalm.ie. We take accessibility reports seriously and will respond within 14 days.