Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 23, 2026

1. Information We Do Not Collect

CardMax does not collect, track, or store any of the following:

• Personal identification information (name, email, phone number)
• Financial information (card numbers, bank account details)
• Usage analytics or behavioral data
• Advertising identifiers
• Device identifiers sent to external servers

2. Local Data Storage

CardMax stores the following data locally on your device only, using on-device storage:

• Your card list - The cards you choose to add to your wallet for comparison purposes. Only card names, spending categories, and rates are stored. No actual card numbers or sensitive financial data is ever entered or stored.
• App preferences - Your display, filter, and notification preferences, including any customized category or tab ordering you set within the app. If you set a billing cycle start date for a card, it is stored locally and used only to time reminder notifications.
• Notification preferences - Whether you have opted in or out of smart notifications, stored locally.
• Card type preference - Your preferred card type (Cash Back or Points), selected during onboarding and changeable at any time using the Cash Back / Points toggle on the Recommend screen. This preference is stored locally and used to filter your card sorting and smart alerts and determine which card type appears in smart notifications.

This data never leaves your device and can be deleted at any time from the Settings screen using the "Reset All Data" option.

3. Location Data

CardMax offers an optional location feature to check for nearby merchant categories (such as dining, gas stations, or grocery stores) and display your cards sorted by their listed rate for comparison.

• Location is entirely optional - The app is fully functional without location access. Location is disabled by default and must be explicitly enabled by you.
• Temporary processing - When enabled, your location coordinates are transmitted temporarily to CardMax servers to determine nearby merchant categories using OpenStreetMap data. Coordinates are not stored or associated with any identity. No personal identifiers are included in these requests. Operational server logs may include coarse location grid references (approximately 11-meter precision) to support location quality monitoring. These logs do not include any user identifiers and are not stored in a database.
• No location history - Your location is not retained or tracked over time. No location data is written to any database or persistent storage.
• Background location - If you enable background location, CardMax may check your location periodically to send smart notifications about nearby merchant categories. A persistent indicator is shown when background location is active. You can disable this at any time.
• You control access - Background location activity can be stopped at any time using the Smart Alerts toggle in Settings. To grant or revoke the location permission itself, go to your device settings (Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → CardMax). Turning off Smart Alerts stops all background location activity but does not modify your device permission.

CardMax does not build user profiles, store location history, or associate location data with any identity.

4. Smart Notifications

CardMax offers optional smart notifications to display your cards sorted by their listed rate when you are near a merchant.

• Opt-in only - Notifications are disabled by default and require your explicit consent to enable.
• Location-assisted - When a smart alert fires, your device transmits rounded coordinates to CardMax servers to check for nearby merchant categories using OpenStreetMap data (as described in Section 3). The decision to send a notification is then made on your device based on the server's response, your card list, and local motion and cooldown logic. No personal data is included in the notification content.
• One alert per visit - To prevent notification fatigue, CardMax sends only one notification during a single store visit. A new notification will only occur after you leave the area and return later.
• Smart filtering - Notifications are paused while you are moving quickly, such as when driving, to avoid unnecessary alerts. In residential or non-commercial areas, CardMax automatically reduces how often it checks your location and may use your device's cached position instead of activating GPS hardware, minimising battery use.
• Full control - You can disable notifications at any time from Settings or your device notification settings.

4a. Motion Sensor Data

CardMax uses your device's motion sensor to tell whether you are walking or driving.

• No personal motion data stored - Motion data is used to support app functionality, processed entirely on-device, and is not transmitted to any server, retained in any database, or associated with any identity.
• Short-lived - Motion data is collected briefly during a location scan and immediately discarded.
• Purpose - Motion data is used solely to avoid sending notifications while you are moving quickly, such as while driving.

5. Offers

CardMax displays merchant offers alongside card rates for informational comparison.

• Informational only - Merchant partner offers are coming soon. Offers shown are illustrative examples. Always confirm details directly with the merchant.
• No tracking - Viewing or interacting with offers does not transmit any data to external servers or merchants.
• No purchase obligations - Offers are informational only and do not obligate you to make any purchase.

6. Third-Party Services

CardMax uses the following third-party services:

• OpenStreetMap - Used only when location is enabled, to check for nearby merchant categories. Only geographic coordinates are sent; no personal data is transmitted. This service is governed by the OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy.

CardMax does not use advertising networks, analytics platforms, or tracking SDKs.

7. Credit Card Information Disclaimer

CardMax is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any bank, card issuer, or payment network including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Citi, or Chase.

Logos and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners and are used for informational purposes only.

CardMax displays cards sorted by their listed rate for comparison only. Card rates, categories, and terms may change at any time by the card issuer and may not always reflect the latest updates.

CardMax is an informational comparison tool and does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. Always verify card rates and benefits directly with your card issuer.

8. Children's Privacy

CardMax is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect any information from children.

9. Data Security

Since all data is stored locally on your device, data security is managed by your device's built-in security features (passcode, biometrics, encryption). Aside from the temporary location check for nearby spending categories, no personal data is transmitted to or stored on external servers under our control.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the app, please contact us at:

privacy@cardmaxapp.com

CardMax © 2026. All rights reserved.