Privacy without the fog machine.
Photo Time Machine is designed as a private photo-management and archive tool. This policy explains what the app accesses, what it stores, when information goes to third-party services, and the choices you have.
Effective date: September 13, 2026
1. Information Photo Time Machine accesses
Depending on the features you use and the permissions you grant, Photo Time Machine may access:
- photos, videos, Live Photo resources, and related metadata in Apple Photos;
- metadata such as filename, capture date, media type, dimensions, and location information embedded in your media;
- files and folders you explicitly select;
- Dropbox files, folders, metadata, and account authorization needed to browse, archive, and verify media;
- Apple StoreKit purchase-entitlement information used to determine whether paid features are unlocked.
2. How that information is used
Photo Time Machine uses media and metadata to build your catalog, display thumbnails and previews, organize and search your library, perform local analysis, identify possible duplicate or cleanup candidates, archive selected media, and verify archive copies before cleanup.
3. Data stored on your device
The app stores catalog records, indexes, analysis results, review decisions, settings, archive state, and other operational information locally on your device so Photo Time Machine can remember what it has cataloged and what you have already reviewed.
4. Dropbox
If you connect Dropbox, Photo Time Machine communicates with Dropbox to perform the actions you request. When you archive media, the selected original resources may be uploaded to the Dropbox destination you chose. Dropbox processes those files and account information under your Dropbox account and Dropbox's own privacy terms.
5. Apple Photos and iCloud
Access to Apple Photos is controlled by Apple's permission system. Photo Time Machine uses the access you grant to read media and, only when you explicitly approve an applicable workflow, request changes such as adding items to albums or removing selected Apple Photos copies.
6. Purchases
Purchases and restorations are processed by Apple through StoreKit. Photo Time Machine receives the entitlement information needed to determine whether the app is unlocked. AR-CADE does not receive your full payment-card details from Apple.
7. Accounts, advertising, analytics, and sale of data
The current Photo Time Machine workflow does not require a separate Photo Time Machine account. The app is not designed around third-party advertising, and AR-CADE does not sell your personal photo information.
If future versions add analytics, cloud services, accounts, or other data-handling features, this policy and the App Store privacy disclosures will be updated before those practices are represented as part of the product.
8. Data sharing
Photo Time Machine shares information with third-party services only as needed for features you choose to use, such as Dropbox for archive storage and Apple for StoreKit purchases and Apple Photos system access. AR-CADE does not make your private photo library publicly available through this website.
9. Retention and deletion
Local catalog and analysis data remains on your device until it is removed through app or device-level data removal. Files archived to Dropbox remain in your Dropbox until you remove them there. Photo Time Machine does not silently delete Apple Photos originals. Cleanup requires explicit review and approval, and archive-dependent cleanup rechecks the archive before requesting deletion.
10. Your privacy choices
You can revoke Apple Photos permission through Apple system privacy settings. You can revoke Dropbox authorization through Dropbox and stop using connected sources. You can also choose not to use archive, analysis, or cleanup features.
For questions about removing local Photo Time Machine data or other privacy choices, contact support.
11. Children
Photo Time Machine is a general photo-management tool and is not designed to collect personal information from children through an AR-CADE account or online profile.
12. Changes to this policy
This policy may change as Photo Time Machine evolves. The effective date above will be updated when material changes are published.