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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 5, 2026

Conduit is a developer tool that publishes sensor data from iPhone, iPad and Mac to ROS 2 (Robot Operating System 2) networks. It is built on the open-source swift-ros2 library, which speaks the ROS 2 wire formats directly over Zenoh or DDS. There is no Conduit-operated server in between. This policy explains what data the app uses, where it goes, and your choices.

Developer: Yutaka Kondo (youtalk) · LinkedIn · Website

Sensor data

Conduit reads a sensor only after you turn that sensor on. All sensors are off by default. Depending on what you turn on, this can include:

  • Motion: accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer (IMU, Magnetic Field)
  • Location: GPS position
  • Camera: images from the device cameras
  • Depth and pose: LiDAR depth and the device's position and orientation from ARKit (on supported devices)
  • Audio: microphone samples
  • Environment: air pressure (Barometer) and a brightness estimate from the camera (Illuminance)
  • Proximity: the near/far reading of the proximity sensor
  • Device state: battery level and thermal state
  • Game controller input: buttons and sticks of a connected controller

Where it goes:

  • Live publishing: Conduit sends sensor data only to the Zenoh router or DDS peers you configure, usually on your own network. It is not sent to us or to any third party.
  • Recordings: when you record, Conduit writes the same sensor messages to an .mcap file on the device. Recordings stay on the device unless you share them (for example through the share sheet, Files or AirDrop). Conduit never uploads them.
  • Location access is "While Using the App" only. Conduit reads your location only while the GPS sensor is on.

Connecting with a QR code

When you scan a pairing QR code from the Conduit pairing script (Connect with a QR code):

  • The connection settings are in the part of the link after #. If the link opens in a browser, the browser does not send that part to the web server; the page only passes it to Conduit.

  • After Conduit applies the settings, it sends one line of JSON over TCP to the pairing script on your computer, at the address in the QR code. The line contains:

    • the one-time token from the QR code,
    • the device's name (as set in iOS or iPadOS Settings),
    • the Conduit version,
    • the ROS 2 node name and namespace set in Conduit.

  • The script uses this to confirm that the device checked in. Nothing is sent anywhere else.

Usage statistics

Conduit uses Firebase Analytics (Google) to collect anonymous usage statistics:

  • Device information: device model, OS version
  • App usage: for example which sensors are turned on or off, connection starts, stops and errors, and settings changes
  • Anonymous identifiers: an app instance identifier generated by Firebase

Conduit does not send sensor values, recordings, or the addresses and names you enter in Settings. Firebase may derive a coarse location, such as the country, from the network connection. We use these statistics only to find bugs and improve the app. They are processed by Google under the Firebase privacy information and Google's Privacy Policy.

To turn them off, open Settings in Conduit → About & Help → Privacy and turn off Send Usage Statistics.

Data stored on the device

  • Settings (connection, sensors, rates and so on) are stored on the device.
  • Recordings stay on the device until you delete them in Conduit or in Files, or delete the app.
  • Earlier versions of Conduit stored a random 16-byte ROS 2 publisher ID in the Keychain. Current versions do not use it.

Permissions

Permission Purpose Required
Local Network Connect to the Zenoh router or DDS peers on your network, and to the pairing script Yes, to publish
Camera Camera images; also used by LiDAR, Device Pose and Illuminance Optional
Microphone Audio samples Optional
Location (While Using the App) GPS position Optional
Motion & Fitness IMU and magnetometer Optional

Conduit asks for a permission when you first turn on a sensor that needs it. You can change permissions at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security.

In-App Purchases

Some features are one-time In-App Purchases through Apple's App Store: Back Cameras (Wide, Ultra Wide and Telephoto; the front camera is free), LiDAR, Game Controller, Background Mode and Recording Export. Apple handles payment, receipts and refunds. Conduit only learns which features you have unlocked; it does not see or store payment information. See Apple's App Store & Privacy page.

Your choices

  • Sensors: turn any sensor on or off at any time.
  • Usage statistics: turn off Send Usage Statistics in Conduit's Settings → About & Help.
  • Recordings: delete them in Conduit at any time.
  • All app data: delete the app to remove its settings and recordings.

Data retention

  • Live sensor data: not kept by the app; it is sent as it is captured.
  • Recordings: kept on the device until you delete them or delete the app.
  • Settings: kept until you delete the app.
  • Usage statistics: kept by Firebase under its retention policy.

Policy updates

We may update this policy. Changes are posted on this page with a new "Last Updated" date.

Contact

Note: Conduit is designed for developers and researchers. It is not intended for children under 13.