Backdrop: Privacy Policy

Last updated 29 October 2026.

This policy covers the iPhone app Backdrop: Tinnitus Sounds, published by Setout Labs LLC ("we"). It explains what stays on your iPhone, what leaves it, and how to delete your data. Our company-wide privacy policy covers this website and our other products.

The short version

  • Backdrop is an iPhone app for living with tinnitus. Masking sounds, pitch match, SOS and week 1 of the 8-week program are free; weeks 2–8 are a one-time purchase. There is no account or sign-in, and no advertising.
  • We do not track you across other apps or websites, show ads, or sell your data.

What stays on your iPhone

Backdrop keeps these in a database in the app's own storage:

  • your matched pitch, match confidence, loudness, notch width and sound layer settings;
  • your setup answers about your tinnitus, including how long you've had it, which ear, whether your hearing has been checked, what it affects most, your baseline distress and the safety screening questions;
  • your weekly pulse check-ins (five 0–10 ratings) and, in week 8, your reflection answer and any text you write;
  • your practice log, program progress and completed modules.

Small app settings, such as whether setup is finished and your reminder choices, are stored in iOS user defaults. Sound is generated and played on your iPhone.

iCloud copy of your matched pitch

If iCloud is on for your Apple ID, Backdrop saves a copy of your matched pitch and sound settings (frequency, confidence, loudness and notch settings, sound layers, a random profile identifier and when it was created) to iCloud key-value storage, so it can come back after a reinstall. This copy is stored by Apple in your iCloud account; we cannot see it. Your setup answers, check-ins and practice are not copied to iCloud.

Permissions

  • Notifications. Used only for the reminders you turn on: a daily practice reminder, the weekly check-in and new module alerts. Backdrop asks during setup; you can say no and still use the app.

Backdrop does not use the microphone. Pitch match works by you comparing tones and choosing the closer one; nothing is recorded. The app requests no camera, photos, location, contacts or Health access.

Usage analytics (Mixpanel)

Mixpanel receives usage events tied to a random identifier the Mixpanel library creates for this installation, along with device and operating system details it adds, such as model and iOS version. Backdrop turns off Mixpanel's location lookup, so your network address is not used to estimate where you are. The events are:

  • app opened, and which screen you open;
  • during setup, which sound you picked and that you played it, and that you finished the setup questions (without your answers);
  • pitch match finished, with a confidence level and whether headphones were used;
  • masking started and stopped, with how long it played;
  • SOS opened, and from where;
  • program module opened or completed, with the module and week;
  • rating prompt steps;
  • program offer and purchase steps: the offer opening or closing, and a purchase starting, completing, failing or being restored, with the product identifier.

Your check-in ratings, setup answers, reflection text and matched pitch are never sent, and neither is anything worked out from them, such as a severity band or whether you reached a program goal.

Crash reports (Sentry)

If the app crashes or hits an error, Sentry receives a report with the error, the code location (stack trace), the app version, and device, operating system and runtime details, plus a trail of recent app warnings and events. Sentry also receives performance timing, such as how long the app takes to start. The app does not ask Sentry to attach personal information.

The program purchase (Superwall and Apple)

Backdrop shows the program offer itself and buys and restores the one-time unlock through Apple. Superwall records the purchase and restore alongside: it receives a random identifier it creates, device and app details, and your purchase status, and starts when the app opens. Apple handles payment through your Apple ID; we and Superwall never see your card or billing details.

Export your data

Settings → Export my data shares a file of your matched settings, check-in history and practice log through the iOS share sheet. Where it goes is your choice.

Retention

Local data stays until you erase it or remove the app. Mixpanel, Sentry and Superwall keep their data under the retention settings of our accounts with them.

Not medical care

Backdrop uses your answers only inside the app, to shape your program and to show safety guidance. It does not diagnose or treat any condition.

What leaves your iPhone

Our app and service providers collect the following data for the stated purposes. None of it is used to track you across other companies' apps or websites.

  • Diagnostics → Crash Data: App Functionality; not linked to you.
  • Diagnostics → Other Diagnostic Data: App Functionality; not linked to you.
  • Diagnostics → Performance Data: App Functionality; not linked to you.
  • Identifiers → Device ID: Analytics, App Functionality; not linked to you.
  • Purchases → Purchase History: Analytics, App Functionality; not linked to you.
  • Usage Data → Product Interaction: Analytics; not linked to you.

We use three service providers. They process data only on our behalf, and we require each to give your data the same or equivalent protection as this Privacy Policy.

  • Mixpanel (usage analytics). Receives the usage events described under Usage analytics (Mixpanel) above.
  • Sentry (crash reports). Receives the crash and error reports described under Crash reports (Sentry) above.
  • Superwall (subscriptions). Records the program purchase and restore, as described above.

What we do not do

Backdrop does not track you across other companies' apps or websites, does not use the advertising identifier, and shows no ads. Its privacy manifest declares no tracking. We do not sell or rent your data.

Deleting your data

Settings → Erase all data deletes your matched pitch, setup answers, check-ins, practice log and program progress from the app, clears its stored settings, and asks iCloud to remove the copy of your matched pitch, then starts setup again. A program purchase stays with your Apple ID. Erasing does not reach analytics, crash or purchase records already held by Mixpanel, Sentry, Superwall or Apple.

Removing the app deletes its local data but not the iCloud copy of your matched pitch; use Erase all data first if you want that gone too. Apple's device backups may include the app's files.

For data held by our service providers, email us at support@setout.ai and we will respond within 30 days.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, export or delete your personal data, to object to its use, and to complain to your data protection authority. We will not treat you differently for using these rights.

Children

The app is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. If we learn that a child under 13 (or the minimum age where they live) has given us personal data, we will delete it. Parents or guardians who believe this has happened should email us.

Changes

If we change this policy we will update the date above. For material changes we will give notice before they take effect.

Contact

Setout Labs LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the controller of your personal data.
support@setout.ai