Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

Tangent is a curiosity engine, a place to fall into "how things work" explanations and follow them as far as you like. We collect as little as possible to run the app, we don't sell your data, and we don't use ads or third-party trackers.

Who we are

This policy covers the Tangent mobile app and this website (exploretangent.app). When we say "we" or "Tangent," we mean the makers of the app. If you have any questions, email support@exploretangent.app.

What we collect, and why

Here is everything Tangent handles, when it happens, and why:

Data	When	Why	Shared with
Anonymous device ID (a random UUID) and a device secret	Every time you open the app	To meter free-tier usage and to authenticate sync, without asking for an account	No one
Usage analytics events (no personal information)	While you use the app	To understand how the core loop is used so we can improve it	No one
The queries and prompts you submit	When you tap "Generate"	To produce the AI explanation you asked for	Anthropic (Claude API)
Your email address	Only if you choose to sign in (one-time code)	To create an account and enable sync across devices	No one
Your saved tangents and visits	Only if you're signed in and using sync	To back up and restore your explorations	No one

We do not collect your name, contacts, location, photos, or any advertising identifiers. The anonymous device ID is a random value we generate on your device. It is not tied to your real-world identity unless you choose to sign in with an email.

Who processes your data

We rely on two service providers to run Tangent:

Anthropic: when you tap "Generate," your prompt is sent to the Claude API to produce the explanation. Anthropic processes the prompt to return a response.
Cloudflare: our hosting and backend infrastructure (this website, the AI proxy, and the sync/account service) run on Cloudflare.

These providers process data on our behalf to deliver the service. We do not share your data with anyone else, and we never sell it.

No ads, no third-party tracking

Tangent contains no advertising, no third-party trackers, and no data brokers. This website uses no cookies and no analytics scripts. Our in-app analytics record only anonymous product events (such as which screens are used), never personal information.

Your choices and rights

If you sign in, you can:

Export your data: request a copy of your account data at any time (the app's account/settings flow uses the /auth/export endpoint).
Delete your data: delete your account and the data associated with it (via the /auth/account endpoint). This removes your synced tangents and account record.

You can also use Tangent without signing in. If you never sign in, we never have your email, and your tangents stay on your device.

Data retention

We keep account and sync data for as long as your account exists. When you delete your account, the associated data is removed. Anonymous metering and analytics data is retained only as long as needed to operate and improve the service.

Children

Tangent is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will remove it.

Changes to this policy

If we make material changes to this policy, we'll update the date at the top and, where appropriate, notify you in the app. Continued use of Tangent after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about your privacy or this policy? Email support@exploretangent.app.