The short version: Why Not stores your training data on your phone, not on our servers. We don't have a backend database. We don't sell your data. We don't show you ads. We're a one-person shop trying to ship a good app.
Why Not is a running coach app for iOS, operated by Robert Kiley, a sole proprietor based in Massachusetts, USA, doing business as Why Not. You can reach me at bobby@whynot.run.
The following data is stored on your phone using iOS's local storage (AsyncStorage). It does not leave your device unless you explicitly export or share it:
If you delete the app, this data is deleted with it. We have no way to retrieve it.
If you use the in-app workout runner, the app uses your phone's GPS to calculate pace and distance during a run. Location data is processed on your device in real time and is not transmitted to us. The app records summary statistics (total distance, average pace, duration) to your local workout history. The raw GPS trace is not stored or transmitted.
If you grant the app permission to read workout data from Apple Health (HealthKit), the app uses Apple's HealthKit API to read your recent running and walking workouts so plan adjustments can reflect runs you logged on your Apple Watch, Garmin, Coros, Polar, or any other device that syncs to Apple Health. Specifically:
When you start a free trial or pay for a subscription, Apple handles the transaction through the App Store. We never see your credit card, billing address, or Apple ID. Apple shares with us only:
If you provide an email address inside the app (for example, when sending feedback), that email is sent to bobby@whynot.run only — it is not added to any mailing list, sold, or shared.
The app uses Apple's built-in crash reporting if you have it enabled in iOS Settings. These reports go to Apple, not to us, and are anonymized by Apple before we ever see aggregate diagnostics. We do not use third-party analytics SDKs (no Google Analytics, no Mixpanel, no Amplitude, no Facebook SDK, no AppsFlyer, etc.).
Why Not is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 13. If you believe a child has used the app, contact bobby@whynot.run and we will work with you to address it. (Realistically: since we don't collect data, there's nothing on our end to delete — but we want you to be able to reach us regardless.)
If you live in the EU, UK, California, or another jurisdiction with comprehensive privacy laws, you have rights to access, correct, delete, and export your data. Because Why Not stores your data on your device only:
If something about this is unclear or you want to confirm we don't have data on you, email bobby@whynot.run and we'll respond.
Because we don't store your data, we don't have a retention period. Your data exists on your phone for as long as you keep the app installed. When you uninstall, it's gone.
Your training data is protected by your phone's lock screen and iOS's app sandboxing. We follow Apple's recommended practices for storing data in iOS — namely, AsyncStorage with the iOS Data Protection class. We do not transmit your training data over the internet, which means there is no server-side breach risk for the data we don't have.
If your phone is lost or stolen, anyone who unlocks it could potentially access the app's data — secure your phone with a passcode or biometrics.
If we change anything material — for example, if we add a backend in v1.1 and start storing data — we'll update this page and notify you in the app before the change takes effect. The "last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Questions, concerns, or requests:
Robert Kiley (sole proprietor, dba Why Not)
Massachusetts, USA
Email: bobby@whynot.run
This policy is written in plain English on purpose. If something is unclear, that's a bug — email me and I'll fix it.