Updated October 27, 2026
SceneHelix accounts and website
SceneHelix uses Apple or Google sign-in through Amazon Cognito. When you connect the Apple app to a SceneHelix account, the app and website use the same account-scoped library and Community services backed by PostgreSQL on Amazon Web Services. Account identity information includes your verified provider identifier and any email or display name supplied by that provider. Website sign-in can remain restricted during rollout even when app accounts are available. Beta and production use separate databases and credentials; one environment does not automatically import another environment’s records.
Information SceneHelix stores
Your library, followed people, watched episodes, progress, ratings, lists, preferences and settings are stored on your device. Connecting SceneHelix sync also sends the library and follows you review to your private account. Saved account events, countdowns, public-profile choices and Community contributions are stored with that account. The account library is not automatically published as a public list. When SceneHelix sync is off, local library management remains available.
Optional iCloud sync
If enabled, iCloud sync stores library, status, progress, rating, list and removal documents in your private CloudKit database. SceneHelix and iCloud are alternative library sync providers; connecting SceneHelix pauses competing iCloud writes. Provider changes use a reviewed handover. Signing out of SceneHelix retains your device library and leaves iCloud paused until you explicitly review switching to it. Optional dated iCloud Drive backup files are recovery copies, not a second automatic account sync. Apple operates iCloud under its own privacy terms; SceneHelix’s developer cannot browse your private CloudKit database.
Legacy connected services
Earlier app versions may have connected SIMKL for library imports or sync. Data already sent to a connected service is governed by that service’s privacy terms. Disconnecting SceneHelix does not delete an account held by a different provider. New SceneHelix accounts use the reviewed account library flow described above.
Optional SceneHelix Community
Current app Community features use the same verified SceneHelix account as account library sync. Public contributions can include your selected handle, preset avatar, shared lists, comments and optional aggregate Spotlight scores, rank, streak and badges. Private watch progress, personal notes and the account library are not automatically published. Comments send the movie identifier or show, season and episode identifiers needed for that discussion. Earlier app versions used a separate Apple-linked Supabase Community identity; legacy records remain subject to that service’s account deletion controls. Helix Pulse is no longer offered in the current app.
Comments and Community ratings
Movie and episode comments are public under your chosen Community identity and remain with that title until you delete them or moderation removes them; replies from other members may remain after your text is deleted. New ratings you submit on the website contribute to the Community average using the public TMDB movie, show, or episode identity. Existing imported or private ratings are not automatically published. Changing or removing a contributed rating updates that average. Everyone can see only the average and rating count. Individual ratings and member identities are not exposed.
Helix recommendations
New app builds use rule-based local smart picks while model-based recommendations are unavailable pending provider permission. Earlier app versions may offer Apple’s on-device intelligence and an optional OpenAI cloud fallback through a Community session. In those earlier versions, enabling cloud fallback sends your question and a limited candidate-title list, potentially including watch status, favourites and ratings, through a SceneHelix Supabase function to OpenAI. Keep cloud fallback off if you do not want that transfer. Private notes, list names, iCloud records and SIMKL credentials are not included.
Community safety and moderation
Helix Pulse and title comments provide in-app controls to report content and block participants. SceneHelix may review reported content and associated account and message information, limit abusive activity, remove content, suspend participation, or take other reasonable action to protect the service and its users.
Optional published lists
Your lists remain private unless you choose to publish them. Published lists are stored by SceneHelix Community and can be viewed by other users. They include your public Community identity, list name and description, and the ordered titles, years, and TMDB catalogue identifiers you choose to share. Artwork comes from public catalogue metadata. Adding or removing titles updates the published list automatically. SceneHelix stores which public lists your Community account follows to show them in your Library. Publishing a list does not publish your watch status, personal ratings, favorites, notes, viewing history, or private iCloud records. You can unpublish a list or delete your Community account from the app.
Movie and television information
SceneHelix requests movie and television metadata, artwork, cast information, reviews, recommendations, release information, and streaming availability from TMDB. Requests can include the title or TMDB identifier being viewed, your selected content region, and ordinary network information necessary to deliver the service. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Upcoming events and location
Events uses Ticketmaster’s event listings and ticket links. If you allow location access, SceneHelix rounds your coordinates to an approximate area and stores that area on your device. When you browse nearby events, it sends the approximate area through a SceneHelix Supabase function to Ticketmaster to find events. The function may temporarily cache event results by approximate area for up to 15 minutes. You can choose a city instead of sharing your location. Your selected city, date range, and event category may be sent for the search. Opening an event or ticket link shows Ticketmaster content, which is governed by Ticketmaster’s privacy terms.
Notifications, widgets, Live Activities, and Apple Watch
If you allow notifications, SceneHelix schedules release reminders on your device. Widgets, Live Activities, the app badge, and Apple Watch surfaces use the minimum app data needed to display your upcoming and unwatched items through Apple’s system technologies. You can change permissions or remove these surfaces through Apple’s controls.
Advertising, tracking, and website analytics
The SceneHelix app does not display advertising, sell personal information, or use your library to track you across other companies’ apps or websites. When configured and with your permission, the SceneHelix website uses Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics to measure feature use. You can decline or change your choice through Analytics preferences. Measurements contain only the action or page view, environment and optional broad page or media category. We do not include emails, account IDs, handles, list names, title IDs, search terms, comments or private library contents. Google may receive ordinary connection information when its scripts load. Development and production use separate measurement configurations.
Retention and deletion
In the current Apple app, open Settings → SceneHelix Account & Library → Delete SceneHelix Account. Type DELETE and confirm with the same sign-in provider. A confirmed request removes the associated server library, follows, events, countdowns, public profile, published lists, ratings, comments and other Community contributions. Apple authorization is revoked for an Apple-confirmed deletion. The Cognito sign-in identity is removed immediately when available, or through encrypted retry work if the identity service is temporarily unavailable. The deleted account cannot be recreated by replaying an old token.
The deletion screen explains that the library on your device is retained and iCloud stays paused. You can remove retained device data separately. Deleting SceneHelix does not delete your Apple or Google account or a separate iCloud library. Short-lived encrypted cleanup credentials are erased when identity cleanup completes; completed deletion receipts are removed after seven days. A non-reversible subject digest is retained to reject old account tokens. Restricted recovery backups can retain earlier records until rotation and are not used to republish a deleted account. Contact support@scenehelix.com if a deletion remains delayed.
Children
SceneHelix is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as SceneHelix evolves. The effective date at the top of this page identifies the latest revision.
Contact
Questions about privacy can be sent to support@scenehelix.com.