Privacy Policy
Applies to the Eric Halstead app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. Effective October 8, 2026.
What the app does
The app shows Eric Halstead's books, audiobooks, screenplays, projects and blog posts. To do that it downloads public content from erichalstead.com and saves a copy on your device so it works offline.
Anonymous usage stats
When you open a screen in the app (for example the home screen or a book's page), or tap a link to another site such as Amazon or Spotify, the app tells erichalstead.com's own visitor counter. Each count includes only:
- which screen or link it was, and the time;
- the type of device and system (for example "iPhone, iOS" or "Android tablet");
- the language your device is set to;
- an approximate location (country, region and city), worked out from your internet address at the moment of the visit.
Your internet address itself is not stored, no cookies or device identifiers are used, and the counts are not linked to your name, email, or any account. They are kept on erichalstead.com for a limited time, seen only by Eric, and never sold or shared with advertisers or data brokers. The website counts its own visitors the same way.
To switch it off: open the app's More tab (Connect on Mac and iPad) and turn off Share anonymous usage stats.
Information we do not collect
- No accounts, sign-ins, or passwords.
- No advertising, and no tracking across other companies' apps or websites.
- No precise location, contacts, photos, or other personal data from your device.
Notifications (Android)
Notifications are off until you turn them on. If you do, you choose which kinds you want (new blog posts, new books, project updates, festival honors). They are delivered by Google's Firebase Cloud Messaging, which gives the app an identifier that is used only to deliver them. erichalstead.com does not keep a list of devices or readers: it sends each update once, to everyone who chose that kind. Turn notifications off at any time in the app's More tab or in your phone's settings.
Links to other services
Buttons in the app open other services, such as Amazon, Spotify, Square checkout, social media sites, or your email app. Those services have their own privacy policies, which apply once you leave the app.
If you choose to email Eric or join the reader list, your message is sent from your own email app, and your address is used only to reply or send reader news. You can ask to be removed at any time.
Children
The app is intended for a general adult audience and does not knowingly collect information from children.
Changes and contact
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted on this page. Questions: info@erichalstead.us