Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 11, 2026

This policy explains what information Shelf Practice ("we", "us") collects when you use the app, how we use it, and the choices you have. Shelf Practice is a study tool that helps medical students prepare for USMLE Shelf exams using cascade testing.

Information we collect

Account information. When you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile picture from Google. We use this to create and identify your account — we never see or store your Google password.

Study activity. If you're signed in, we store your test sessions and rounds — which questions you answered, your selected answers, whether they were correct, and timestamps — so your progress can sync across devices. If you're signed out, this same data is kept only in your browser's local storage and is never sent to our servers.

Payment information. If you upgrade to a paid plan, payment is handled entirely by a third-party payment processor. We do not receive or store your full card number.

How we use your information

We use the information above to operate your account, save and restore your study progress, provide the optional AI chat feature, process payments for paid plans, and maintain the security and reliability of the app. We do not sell your personal information.

Where your data is stored

Account and study data is stored in a hosted PostgreSQL database (Neon). Question and answer PDFs are served from cloud object storage (Cloudflare R2). These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by their own security and confidentiality practices.

Cookies and local storage

We use essential cookies to keep you signed in. If you use the app while signed out, your study progress is kept in your browser's local storage instead of our servers — clearing your browser data will erase it.

Your rights and choices

You can request a copy of, or the deletion of, your personal data at any time by contacting us at the email below. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or similar state privacy laws, including the right to know, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal information).

Children's privacy

Shelf Practice is intended for medical students and other adult learners. It is not directed at, and we do not knowingly collect information from, children under 13.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date above.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at shelfpracticesupport@gmail.com.