Shield Our Elders
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Effective October 12, 2026
How the iPhone app handles messages, screenshots, recordings, settings and trusted contacts.
Shield Our Elders is designed to be local-first. Most information you enter stays on your device. The app does not require an account, does not sell personal data, does not show third-party ads, and does not track you across other apps or websites.
Information stored on your device may include settings, accessibility choices, trusted contacts, a family verification phrase, learning progress, practice scores, recent checks, onboarding status, and other preferences you choose to save.
You may choose to enter or upload messages, emails, notes, screenshots, voicemail files, audio files, phone numbers, caller notes, payment choices, or safety checklist answers.
The iPhone app checks selected messages, call notes, and payment descriptions with a bundled model and device rules. Screenshot text extraction uses Apple Vision on the device. Audio recognition explicitly requires Apple's on-device mode; if it is unavailable, you can enter the transcript yourself. These review paths do not upload messages, screenshots, or recordings.
The bundled model was fine-tuned on licensed public SMS examples. Your app content is not used to train it. A model result cannot verify someone's identity or guarantee safety.
The separate browser preview can use an external analysis service only when its developer explicitly configures one. That preview's selected content is processed by the configured service under its own privacy policy. This does not apply to the native iPhone review path.
The app may ask for photo library access when you choose a screenshot, speech-recognition access when you choose to transcribe an audio file, notification permission for reminders or alerts, and phone or SMS actions when you choose to contact a trusted person. The app does not record microphone audio. The app does not listen in the background, automatically place calls, or send texts without your action.
The app does not automatically read your calls, text messages, emails, contacts, photos, microphone, location, or browsing activity. It only reviews content you choose to enter, upload, or share with it.
We use information to provide scam-safety checks, show explanations and next steps, save your settings, show learning progress, prevent duplicate requests, improve reliability, maintain safety features, and respond to support questions.
We do not sell personal data, use personal data for third-party advertising, track you across apps or websites, or create advertising profiles.
The native review does not share your content with analysis providers. Reading public scam alerts or opening an external website can disclose ordinary network information to that website. If you choose to search for a phone number on the web, that number is sent to your chosen search provider. Calling or texting someone uses your device's phone or messaging app after your action.
Local app data remains on your device until you delete it in Settings, uninstall the app, or reset the device. Check results may be cached temporarily in app memory to avoid duplicate requests. The native review does not create remote content logs.
You can delete local app data in Settings by using Delete all my data. You can also control app permissions in iOS or Android Settings.
Shield Our Elders is designed for older adults, families, caregivers, and community safety education. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Your device and its backups determine where local app data is stored. No device can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Include only the content necessary for the check.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are important, we will make the updated Privacy Policy available in the app or through another reasonable notice.
Questions or requests about this Privacy Policy may be sent to projectshieldourelders@gmail.com.
By continuing, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.