OpenHand, Inc. ("OpenHand," "we," "us," or "our") provides a personal budgeting mobile application. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you use the OpenHand app and related services (collectively, the "Service").
By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.
1. Information we collect
We collect information in the following categories:
| Category | Examples | How we collect it |
|---|---|---|
| Account information | Email address and authentication identifiers | When you sign up or sign in through our authentication provider |
| Financial information (optional) | Linked account names, balances, and transactions | When you choose to connect a financial institution through Plaid |
| Budgeting and profile information | Household details, income estimates, bills, envelopes, and manual transactions | When you enter information in the app |
| Location information (optional) | ZIP code, state, or map location for assistance and food resources | When you use those features and grant permission |
| Technical information | App version, API request metadata, and error logs | Automatically when you use the Service |
We do not sell your personal information.
2. How we use your information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide budgeting features such as Safe to Spend, envelopes, bills, and related tools
- Sync and display financial account data you choose to connect
- Match you with assistance programs and food resources when you use those features
- Authenticate your account, maintain security, and prevent fraud
- Operate, maintain, and improve the reliability of the Service
We use your information only for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy or as otherwise disclosed to you at the time of collection.
3. Financial account data and Plaid
If you choose to link a financial institution, you will interact with Plaid Link, a service provided by Plaid Inc. Plaid collects credentials directly from your financial institution. OpenHand receives account and transaction data only as authorized through that connection flow.
- We store Plaid-sourced data to power your budget and related features.
- You may unlink financial institutions in the app or contact us to request deletion.
- Plaid's handling of your information is governed by Plaid's privacy policy:
https://plaid.com/legal/#end-user-privacy-policy
4. How we share information
We do not sell personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:
- Service providers. We use trusted vendors that process data on our behalf
to operate the Service, including providers for authentication, encrypted data storage, bank account linking, API hosting, and mobile app distribution.
- Legal requirements. We may disclose information if required by law,
regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of OpenHand, our users, or others.
- Business transfers. If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale
of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Privacy Policy.
Our primary service providers include:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Clerk | User authentication |
| Instant | Encrypted data storage and sync |
| Plaid | Bank account linking and transaction data |
| Render | API hosting |
| Expo / EAS | Mobile app distribution |
5. Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete certain data.
You can take the following actions in the Service:
- Account creation. You must accept this Privacy Policy before creating an account.
- Bank linking. You must confirm consent before Plaid Link opens.
- Optional features. Location and assistance features use data only when you choose to use those screens.
- Deletion. You may unlink banks in the app. To request full account deletion, email privacy@openhand.help.
We will respond to verified deletion and data requests within a reasonable period, and in any event within thirty (30) days where required by applicable law.
6. Data retention
We retain your information while your account is active and as needed to provide the Service. When you delete linked institutions or close your account, we remove associated records and revoke Plaid connections within a reasonable period, subject to limited backup retention described in our Data Retention and Disposal Policy.
7. Security
We implement administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS 1.2 or higher), encryption at rest through our database provider, access controls, and authentication requirements. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Children's privacy
The Service is not directed to children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at privacy@openhand.help.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the app, by email, or by other reasonable means. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when this Privacy Policy was last revised. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of an updated Privacy Policy constitutes acceptance of the changes.
10. Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to submit a privacy request, contact us at:
Email: privacy@openhand.help