Tidal Labs

Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 2026

Tidal Labs ("the App") is developed and operated by Micah.Tech. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it.

1. Data We Collect

Tidal Labs is designed to process all data locally on your device. Specifically, we may collect or access:

• Photo Library access — to import video footage you recorded with the native Camera app from your camera roll
• Apple Watch motion and sensor data — to detect and timestamp wave events during your surf session
• Location — used after import to identify the nearest surf spot via the Surfline API. If you enable Auto-Follow Crop, the watch also records a GPS track during the session and the phone reads its own position once at import, so the App can work out where you were relative to the camera
• Bluetooth — used only to talk to a paired Garmin watch and pull the wave times it recorded
• HealthKit — the Apple Watch logs your session as an outdoor surfing workout with heart rate data, stored in the Health app on your device
• Local storage — video clips and session data are stored on your device only
• App usage data — anonymous crash logs and diagnostics may be collected through Apple's standard crash reporting, subject to your system-level privacy settings

2. Data We Do Not Collect

• We do not collect, upload, or store your video footage on any external server
• We do not collect your name, email address, or any account information
• We do not share any data with third parties for advertising or analytics purposes
• Location data leaves your device only as an approximate position sent to the Surfline API to name the nearest surf spot. GPS tracks recorded for Auto-Follow Crop stay on your device
• We do not run any facial recognition, and we do not identify who appears in your footage

3. Apple Watch Data

Sensor and motion data from your Apple Watch is used exclusively to detect wave timestamps during an active recording session. When Auto-Follow Crop is enabled, the Watch also records a GPS track for the duration of the session. This data is processed on-device and is not transmitted anywhere by the App.

4. Garmin Watches

The App can pair with a compatible Garmin watch running the Tidal Labs Connect IQ app. Pairing and communication use the Garmin Connect IQ SDK, which reaches the watch over Bluetooth and routes the paired-device list through the Garmin Connect Mobile app. Only wave timestamps are pulled from the watch, and they are stored on your device.

Separately from the App, your Garmin watch records the session as a standard surfing activity in a FIT file, including lap times, GPS track, and heart rate. That activity syncs to Garmin Connect through Garmin's own software, under Garmin's privacy policy and your Garmin account settings. Tidal Labs neither controls nor receives that sync.

5. Photo Library

The App requires Photo Library access to import video footage you recorded with the native Camera app. The App does not record video itself. Imported footage is processed on-device and is never uploaded by the App.

6. Video Analysis

Auto-Follow Crop is optional and off by default. When you turn it on, the App analyzes imported footage on your device using Apple's Vision framework to locate a person in frame, combined with the GPS track from your session, so it can pan and zoom each clip. The analysis runs entirely on-device, no frames or detection results leave your phone, and no faces are recognized or identified.

7. Third-Party Services

Tidal Labs does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or data broker services. The App does send your approximate GPS location to the Surfline public API solely to identify the nearest surf spot name for your session label. No personal information is transmitted in this request.

If you use a Garmin watch, the App uses Garmin's Connect IQ SDK and the Garmin Connect Mobile app to reach your watch. Your use of Garmin devices and software is governed by Garmin's own terms and privacy policy.

8. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Continued use of the App after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy. The "last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision.

10. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy can be directed to micahs.tech@proton.me.

Terms of Service

Last updated: August 2026

By downloading or using Tidal Labs, you agree to the following Terms of Service. Please read them carefully before use.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Micah.Tech ("Developer"). Use of the App constitutes full acceptance of these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the App.

2. Description of the App

Tidal Labs is a surf session capture tool. You record footage using the native iPhone Camera app, then import it into Tidal Labs. The App uses an Apple Watch or a compatible Garmin watch to timestamp waves during your session and automatically trims your footage into individual clips. It also provides editing tools for trimming and reframing those clips. The App is a personal productivity tool and does not provide any safety, emergency, or navigation functionality.

Trimming is destructive. Trimming a clip rewrites that clip's video file in place and the removed footage cannot be recovered from within the App. Cropping is stored as metadata only and can be cleared at any time. Keep your original camera roll footage if you want a copy you can always return to.

3. Device Use and Risk

3a. iPhone, Apple Watch, and Garmin Watch Damage

The Developer is not responsible or liable for any damage to your iPhone, Apple Watch, Garmin watch, or any other device arising from or related to your use of Tidal Labs. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Water damage to your iPhone from ocean spray, wave impact, or submersion, even if your device is rated water-resistant
• Sand, salt, or debris damage to your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Garmin watch
• Physical damage from falls, impacts, or theft of your device setup on the beach
• Damage to your Apple Watch or Garmin watch from water exposure during surfing, regardless of its water resistance rating
• Battery degradation, overheating, or hardware failure resulting from extended outdoor use
• Any other hardware or software malfunction of your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Garmin watch

You are solely responsible for evaluating the suitability of your devices for use in or near the ocean, and for taking appropriate precautions. Water resistance ratings on Apple, Garmin, and other consumer devices are not a guarantee against damage in all conditions, and surfing environments can exceed the specifications of consumer electronics.

3b. Theft and Loss of Device

Leaving your iPhone unattended on a beach or in any public location involves inherent risk of theft, loss, or damage. The Developer is not liable for:

• Theft of your iPhone, Apple Watch, Garmin watch, or any accessories used in connection with Tidal Labs
• Loss or misplacement of your device during or after a session
• Unauthorized access to personal data on a lost or stolen device
• Any financial losses resulting from device theft or loss

You assume full responsibility for the security of your devices at all times. We strongly recommend using Find My (iPhone and Apple Watch) or the equivalent Garmin feature, enabling a strong passcode, and never leaving devices unattended in high-theft-risk locations.

4. Personal Safety

Tidal Labs is designed to support recreational surfing and does not provide any safety monitoring, emergency alert, or real-time communication functionality. You assume all risks associated with surfing and ocean activities. The Developer is not liable for any personal injury, death, or other harm arising from your use of the App or participation in surfing activities.

5. No Warranty

Tidal Labs is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The Developer does not warrant that:

• The App will function correctly on all devices or in all conditions
• Timestamps or clip trimming will be accurate in every situation
• Auto-Follow Crop, which is an experimental feature disabled by default, will correctly track you or keep you in frame. It depends on GPS accuracy, camera placement, lens choice, and on-device person detection, any of which can be wrong
• Watch data will sync from every Apple Watch or Garmin device, or that Bluetooth or Garmin Connect Mobile will be available when you need them
• Video or session data will not be lost due to device failure, storage issues, editing operations, or software errors
• The App will be free from bugs, interruptions, or security vulnerabilities

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Developer shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of revenue, property damage, or personal injury, arising out of or in connection with your use of Tidal Labs or these Terms.

In no event shall the Developer's total liability to you exceed the amount you paid for the App (if any).

7. User Responsibilities

By using Tidal Labs, you agree to:

• Use the App only for lawful purposes
• Respect the privacy of others: do not use the App to record individuals without their consent where required by law
• Take full responsibility for the placement, security, and safety of your devices
• Comply with all applicable laws, including those governing recording in public spaces in your jurisdiction
• Not use the App in any manner that could endanger yourself or others

8. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property in the App, including its design, code, name, and branding, is owned by Micah.Tech. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or reverse-engineer the App without express written permission.

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Hawaii, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

10. Changes to These Terms

The Developer reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

11. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms can be directed to micahs.tech@proton.me.