Privacy Policy

1. Scope

This policy explains how Vortex Browser handles information when you use the iPhone or iPad app and its share extension. “Vortex,” “the app,” “we,” and “us” refer to the Vortex Browser project and its developer.

2. Information kept on your device

The app stores information locally so its features work. This may include:

• Favorites, browser preferences, content-blocking settings and custom rules.
• Website data managed by Apple WebKit, such as cookies, caches and session storage.
• Saved website credentials, protected in Apple Keychain and accessed only after device-owner authentication.
• Optional local-AI model locations, security-scoped bookmarks and AI feature settings.
• A URL or text you explicitly send to Vortex through the share extension.
• Optional Mac gateway settings. Its bearer token is stored in Apple Keychain.

Vortex does not operate an account system or sync this information through a Vortex-owned service. Apple may back up or sync device data according to your device and iCloud settings.

3. Browsing and website data

When you visit a website, that website and its service providers receive the information normally required to load it, which can include your IP address, browser information, requested URL, cookies and information you submit. Their privacy policies, not this policy, govern their handling of that information.

Searches entered in the address field may be sent to the configured search provider. Vortex can also request website icons from Google’s favicon service. When you use Vortex’s Reddit reader features, the app can request public content directly from Reddit.

Incognito tabs use WebKit’s non-persistent website data store. This reduces data retained by the app after the session, but it does not make you anonymous to websites, network operators or external services.

4. Content blocking and appearance

If enabled, Vortex downloads filter lists from their published providers, such as EasyList, EasyPrivacy and Fanboy’s Annoyance List. The request may reveal standard network information, including your IP address, to those providers. The app may also load Dark Reader code from jsDelivr when its bundled copy is unavailable.

5. Optional AI features

AI features are optional and run only when you choose to use them. The destination depends on the provider you select:

• On-device models: Requests are processed locally by the selected model. Downloading a model can contact the model’s hosting provider.
• Apple Intelligence and Shortcuts: A prompt or selected page content may be passed to Apple frameworks or to a Shortcut you configure. The Shortcut’s actions determine where that information goes.
• ChatGPT or Gemini: Vortex can open these services in a WebKit session and submit the prompt or page context you chose. OpenAI’s or Google’s policies and your account settings govern that data.
• Optional Mac gateway: Vortex can send prompts and selected page content over your network to a gateway you run on your own Mac. The gateway may then use Apple Foundation Models or another model you configure. You are responsible for securing the gateway and not exposing it to untrusted networks.

Review page content before sharing it with an AI provider. Do not submit confidential or sensitive information unless you understand and accept the selected service’s data practices.

6. Analytics, tracking and advertising

Vortex does not include developer-operated analytics, advertising or cross-app tracking, and the developer does not sell personal information. Websites you visit and third-party services you choose may use their own analytics, cookies, advertising or tracking technologies.

7. Retention and deletion

Local information remains on your device until you remove it using the relevant app or system controls. You can clear WebKit website data, remove favorites and custom rules, delete saved credentials from Keychain through the app, reset optional AI settings, or remove the app. Keychain items may require separate deletion and should not be assumed to disappear merely because the app is uninstalled.

Vortex has no user account or Vortex-owned server copy of your browsing data to delete. For data sent to a website, AI provider, Shortcut action or other third party, use that provider’s controls and privacy process.

8. Security

Vortex uses Apple platform protections such as Keychain and device-owner authentication for saved credentials. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure. Keep your device updated, protect it with a passcode and keep Mac gateway tokens private.

9. Children

Vortex is a general-purpose browser and is not directed to children under 13. The developer does not knowingly collect personal information from children through a Vortex-owned service.

10. Changes to this policy

This policy may change as Vortex changes. The effective date at the top of this page will be updated when material changes are published.

11. Contact

For privacy questions, open an issue in the Vortex Browser GitHub repository. GitHub issues are public, so do not include passwords, tokens, private browsing information or other sensitive data.