# How the sourced app catalog is built

## What is in the dataset?

The committed snapshot contains 4,500 distinct iPhone app records from the United States App Store. Every record has a unique App Store ID and bundle identifier. Pages use English templates; official app names remain as supplied by the store. The catalog is not a ranking of the safest or most popular apps.

## How are apps selected?

The importer uses 28 recorded searches through Apple's documented public software Search API. It keeps complete records with explicit iPhone support in selected categories relevant to personal files, accounts and privacy. It stops at the requested count rather than inventing missing rows. Search order and selection criteria are recorded in the repository; this is a sourced sample, not a complete census of the App Store.

## Which facts are verified against sources?

The importer records the source app identity, seller, category, minimum iOS requirement, listing version, release dates and other available fields. Each generated page links to its exact App Store listing and ID-based catalog lookup. Source response hashes and retrieval timestamps preserve provenance. These checks establish what the public record reported, not the app's actual runtime behavior.

## How are privacy labels handled?

The snapshot contains 4,289 records with extracted developer-reported privacy categories, 211 records explicitly showing No Details Provided, and 0 records without a complete extracted disclosure. Missing or unprovided details are never converted into Data Not Collected. Privacy cards come from each app's public store page and retain their own retrieval time and response hash.

## What does the catalog leave unverified?

A privacy disclosure is supplied by the developer; it is not an independent security audit. This dataset does not invent app-specific menu paths, encryption algorithms, permission requests, lock features, recovery guarantees or security scores. Source-backed listing details and label categories are kept separate from device testing and provider help documentation.

## When was the snapshot collected?

The catalog API snapshot was retrieved between 2026-10-31 and 2026-10-31. Display dates use America/New_York; source files retain the original UTC timestamps. App Store records can change after collection. Builds read the committed data rather than calling thousands of external pages while somebody visits the site.

## How can you check or correct a record?

Compare the App Store ID, developer, bundle identifier and version on the record page. Follow the direct source links rather than matching a name alone. Use the public correction route for factual issues and include a public source. Keep private photos, credentials and personal account information out of public reports.

## Source documentation

- [Apple public Search API](https://performance-partners.apple.com/search-api)

- [Apple developer privacy disclosures](https://developer.apple.com/app-store/app-privacy-details/)

- [Browse the app directory](/app-privacy)

## Private photo and document storage

For photos and documents you choose to store separately, explore [VaultForYou](https://www.vaultforyou.app/).