Last updated: May 2026
My Bookshelf is a personal book collection manager designed to help you organize your reading life. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal data.
| Data Type | Purpose | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Email address | Account identification (Google Sign-In) | Firebase Authentication |
| Bookshelves & books | Core app functionality | Local device; Firebase Firestore (if signed in) |
| Book Club data | Collaborative shelves, reviews, comments | Firebase Firestore (requires sign-in) |
| Shelf preferences | Shelf styles, ordering, display settings | Local device only |
| Crash reports | Diagnose and fix bugs (no personal info) | Firebase Crashlytics |
Your data is used solely to provide the app's functionality:
We do not sell, share, or use your data for advertising purposes.
All your bookshelf data is stored locally on your device using a Room database. You can use the app entirely offline as a guest without creating an account. Your data never leaves your device unless you sign in.
When you sign in with Google, your bookshelves and books are synced to Firebase Firestore. Book Club features require sign-in and store shared data in Firestore.
Used for secure sign-in with your Google account. Firebase Authentication stores your email address and authentication tokens. Firebase Privacy Policy
Used for cloud sync of your bookshelf data and Book Club features. Google Cloud Privacy
Primary source for book search and metadata (titles, authors, covers, descriptions). Search queries are sent to Google. No personal data is attached to the request. Google Privacy Policy
Used as a fallback when Google Books is unavailable. Search queries are sent to Open Library's public API. No personal data is shared. Open Library Privacy Policy
Used to receive anonymous crash reports so we can diagnose and fix bugs. Reports include stack traces, device model, OS version, and app version. No personal data is included. Firebase Privacy Policy
You have full control over your data:
All your bookshelves, books, and Book Club activity are visible within the app at any time.
You can request deletion of your account and all associated cloud data. See our account deletion page for instructions. Upon processing your request, the following is permanently removed:
Local data on your device is not affected by account deletion. To remove local data, sign out within the app or uninstall it.
You can use the app entirely offline as a guest. Your data stays on your device only. Book Clubs require sign-in as they are shared features.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us by opening an issue on our GitHub repository.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.