Privacy Policy

SeeMate is built to work without collecting your data. Here is exactly what happens on your device.

Effective 2 November 2026

Who we are

SeeMate is developed by an independent developer (“we”, “us”). This policy explains what happens to your information when you use the SeeMate app for iPhone and this website. If you have questions, see Contact below.

The short version

  • SeeMate runs entirely on your iPhone. There is no account, no ads, and no analytics or tracking SDKs.
  • Camera frames are processed in memory to recognise the board. They are not stored or sent anywhere.
  • The app makes no network requests of its own. Your settings stay on your device.
  • We only receive data if you choose to send us a diagnostics file or feedback.

Camera frames

SeeMate uses video from your iPhone's camera or from your Ray-Ban Meta glasses to recognise the chessboard and the position of the pieces. Frames are processed in memory on your device, used to update the position, and then discarded. They are not saved to your photo library or to the app's storage, and they are not uploaded to us or to anyone else.

The only exception is the optional Send diagnostics feature, which you start yourself.

What we don't collect

SeeMate has no user account and does not ask for your name, email address or any other personal details. It contains no advertising, no analytics and no tracking SDKs, and it does not track you across apps or websites. SeeMate makes no network requests of its own: the chess engine and the board recognition work offline.

Your preferences (for example the camera source, voice and arrow settings) are stored only on your device and are deleted when you delete the app.

Ray-Ban Meta glasses and Meta AI

If you choose to use Ray-Ban Meta glasses, SeeMate connects to them through Meta's Wearables Device Access Toolkit. The connection goes through Meta's Meta AI app, which you install and set up yourself. The analytics option in Meta's toolkit is turned off (opted out) in SeeMate.

Meta's own privacy policy and terms govern the Meta AI app and the glasses, including any data the Meta AI app or the glasses process. We don't receive any of that data. You can review Meta's policies in the Meta AI app.

Send diagnostics (optional)

SeeMate includes an optional Send diagnostics feature in Settings to help fix recognition problems. Nothing happens unless you tap it. When you do:

  • The app creates a zip file on your device with the last ~30 seconds of camera frames (about 2 frames per second, as JPEG images), the recognition log and the app version.
  • The iOS share sheet opens. You choose whether and where to send the file.

The frames may show whatever the camera saw, such as your hands, other people or your surroundings. Please review the file before you send it.

If you send the file to us, we use it only to investigate and fix recognition problems. We delete it within 90 days. Messages you send us are kept only as long as needed to reply and follow up.

TestFlight beta

During the beta, SeeMate is distributed through Apple's TestFlight. Apple may share with us crash reports and the feedback (including screenshots and comments) that you choose to submit as a tester. This is handled by Apple under its own terms; see Apple's TestFlight terms and Apple's Privacy Policy. We use this information only to improve SeeMate.

Permissions the app asks for

  • Camera: to see the chessboard through your iPhone's camera.
  • Bluetooth and Local Network: to connect to Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
  • Microphone: SeeMate does not ask for microphone access and never records audio.

You can change any permission at any time in the iOS Settings app.

This website

This website is a static site hosted by Vercel. It sets no cookies and uses no analytics or tracking scripts. Like any web host, Vercel may process technical data such as IP addresses in server logs to deliver and protect the site.

Children

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

Data retention and deletion

Because SeeMate keeps everything on your device, deleting the app removes its data. If you sent us a diagnostics file or a message and would like it deleted sooner, or want to know what we hold, ask through TestFlight feedback and we will act on your request promptly. Diagnostics files are deleted within 90 days in any case.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, we will update it on this page and change the effective date above.

Contact

Questions or requests about privacy: send them through TestFlight feedback.