iOpenPod privacy policy

Effective date: October 1, 2026

iOpenPod is a desktop application published by TheRealSavi and developed by John Gibbons. Contact: johngibbons167@gmail.com.

Your library and device

iOpenPod accesses the media folders you choose and the connected iPod you select to browse, play, edit, synchronize, export, and back up your library. This can include file paths, track and playlist metadata, artwork, photographs and their metadata, play counts, ratings, device names, device serial numbers, and volume identifiers. The app processes this information on your computer and iPod; it does not upload your media library or device database to the developer.

Settings remember preferences, selected folders, and the last selected volume. Local caches retain scan results, file facts, and content fingerprints to avoid repeating work. Acoustic fingerprints are calculated locally using your installed Chromaprint tool; iOpenPod does not submit them to AcoustID or another recognition service. Media tools you install run locally on the files needed for the selected operation. Those tools are separate software with their own terms.

Playback shares the current track title, artist, album, playback state, and available artwork with Windows media controls. Windows handles this information under your operating system settings and Microsoft's privacy practices.

Optional media-tool installation

Choosing Install Missing Tools invokes WinGet to download and install FFmpeg and Chromaprint from their package channels. WinGet, its package source, and the download hosts receive package requests, your IP address, and ordinary connection information under their own privacy practices. This setup does not send your media files or fingerprints to those services. Checking locally or skipping setup does not start package installation.

Podcast network requests

Podcast search sends the words you enter to Apple's public podcast directory, with the country parameter US. The service receives your IP address and ordinary connection information. iOpenPod identifies these requests with the user-agent iOpenPod/2 Podcast Browser; it does not require an Apple account.

Adding or refreshing a podcast requests its feed from the feed provider. Opening a subscribed podcast or the All Podcasts page can refresh feeds automatically. Displaying podcast covers requests images from the image hosts named by feeds or already saved subscription records. Directory search results are text-only. New subscriptions use publisher-feed artwork; the app does not save Apple's search artwork as a fallback. Image hosts receive your IP address, the requested URL, and ordinary connection information; URLs can include tokens supplied by a feed provider. Redirects can contact additional hosts. Their privacy policies govern their processing. iOpenPod does not send your local library, iPod serial number, or listening history as part of these requests.

The app supports HTTPS and HTTP feed/image URLs. HTTPS encrypts the connection; HTTP does not. Prefer HTTPS feeds and do not enter private credentials or sensitive information in feed URLs or search terms. To avoid these requests, do not use podcast search or open podcast pages; unsubscribe from feeds you no longer want refreshed. Local library management does not require podcast access.

Podcast subscriptions, cached episode information, and listening-state overrides are saved on the selected iPod under iPod_Control/iOpenPod/Podcasts. They can travel with that device to another computer.

Optional listening-history services

Connecting Last.fm or ListenBrainz in Settings enables optional submission of iPod music plays to that service. You supply or authorize that service's credentials. Authentication and token-validation requests contact the selected service. Manual scrobbling sends listening history; after an account is connected, the Scrobble during Sync option is enabled by default and can also send it during Sync.

Submissions include artist, track title, album, playback timestamps, duration, and service-specific metadata such as album artist and track number for Last.fm or the iOpenPod client version for ListenBrainz. Old Last.fm plays can receive adjusted submission dates to fit that service's acceptance window. The service receives account authentication information, your IP address, and ordinary connection information. Media files, acoustic fingerprints, and the iPod database itself are not uploaded. Each service controls its own processing and profile visibility.

Service credentials are stored in the native operating-system credential vault (Windows Credential Manager on Windows). Account names are saved in preferences; pending listens and delivery records are saved locally in scrobbles-v2.json beside the settings file. These records can include listening metadata and device identifiers. Disconnect a service in Settings to remove its stored credentials and stop submissions to it. Turning off Scrobble during Sync stops automatic Sync submissions; manual scrobbling remains available for connected accounts. Removing local data or disconnecting does not delete listens already received by a service; manage those through Last.fm or ListenBrainz.

Diagnostics, support, and donations

iOpenPod keeps rotating diagnostic logs on your computer. Errors and crash traces can contain file paths, device or media details, and information involved in an operation. Logs are not automatically uploaded. The app has no developer-operated analytics, advertising, automatic crash-report upload, or independent online update-check service in this version. Microsoft Store and Windows can perform their own installation, update, and diagnostic processing independently.

If you email the developer or open a GitHub issue, the developer receives what you choose to send, including your contact details and any attachments. Review logs before sharing them. GitHub issues are public; use email for private reports. Support information is used to respond, investigate problems, and maintain the app, and is retained only as needed for those purposes or legal obligations. Email and GitHub providers process communications under their own policies.

The optional Donate button opens Ko-fi in your browser. Ko-fi and its payment providers handle the transaction and their privacy policies apply. The developer may receive donor details and messages that those services share. iOpenPod does not receive payment card details. Donations are optional, unlock no features, and are not required to use the app. Microsoft is not the fundraiser or sponsor.

Links to support, licenses, credits, and other websites open in your browser. Those websites receive browser connection information under their own policies.

Storage, security, and your choices

Windows settings normally reside in %APPDATA%\iOpenPod\settings-v2.json. Caches normally reside in %LOCALAPPDATA%\iOpenPod\cache; logs default to %LOCALAPPDATA%\iOpenPod\Logs. Backups default to %LOCALAPPDATA%\iOpenPod\Backups, unless you choose another location. Windows may redirect these paths for a packaged installation. Temporary copies and recovery journals support media processing and interrupted operations.

Local files rely on Windows account and filesystem protections. iOpenPod does not encrypt your media, settings, logs, or backups itself. Anyone with access to those files or an unencrypted iPod may be able to read them. Your operating system or chosen backup/sync software may copy files independently of iOpenPod.

You can change selected folders and preferences, unsubscribe from podcasts, and manage Backup Snapshots in the app. Close the app before removing its settings, caches, or logs. Preserve backups and recovery records you still need. Removing the app does not erase media, exports, backups in custom locations, or data on your iPod. Request help accessing or deleting information you sent the developer by emailing johngibbons167@gmail.com. Applicable law may also give you rights to correction, restriction, objection, or a complaint to your data-protection authority. Requests concerning Apple, a podcast host, Microsoft, Last.fm, ListenBrainz, GitHub, or Ko-fi should also be directed to that provider.

The app is intended for a general audience and does not request children's personal details or provide user accounts. User-selected media and third-party podcasts may contain content unsuitable for children. Contact the developer if you believe a child has sent personal information through a support request.

This policy will be updated when the app's data practices change. The effective date identifies the current version.