Privacy Policy

Your network stays yours.

Last updated:

The short version: NetSweep runs entirely on your device. It has no accounts, no analytics, no advertising, and no trackers. Your scan results never leave your phone. A few optional features make network requests to do their job — they send only a query, never your scan data — and these are described in full below.

1. Who this applies to

This policy covers the NetSweep iOS application ("NetSweep," "the app"), created and maintained by Cam Garrison ("we," "us"). By using NetSweep you agree to the practices described here.

2. Data we collect

We do not collect any personal data. NetSweep has no user accounts, no sign-in, and no server of our own. We do not gather names, email addresses, device identifiers for tracking, advertising identifiers, location data, contacts, or analytics about how you use the app.

3. Where your data lives

Everything NetSweep produces stays on your device:

  • Scan results — the devices, open ports, services, and findings from your scans are stored locally on your iPhone using Apple's on-device database (SwiftData).
  • Settings and history — your preferences, connection-test history, and the baseline of previously-seen devices are stored locally on your device.
  • None of this is uploaded, synced to us, or shared with any third party. Deleting the app removes it.

4. Network requests the app makes

NetSweep is a network tool, so by design it communicates on your local network and, for a few optional features, with the public internet. These requests send only what is needed to perform the function you asked for — never your scan history or personal data.

On your local network

When you run a scan, NetSweep attempts standard TCP connections to devices on the network you are connected to, and listens for Bonjour/mDNS service advertisements, in order to discover and describe those devices. This activity stays within your local network.

Public-internet lookups (optional)

  • Public IP & connection info — uses ipwho.is to show the public IP address and network/ISP your connection exits from. The request reveals your public IP to that service, as any web request would.
  • Connection speed estimate — downloads a test file from Cloudflare's public speed endpoint to estimate throughput. No personal data is sent.
  • Vulnerability (CVE) lookup — queries the NIST National Vulnerability Database with the keyword or product term you search. Only that search term is sent.
  • Captive-portal check — contacts Apple's standard captive-portal address to detect networks that intercept traffic. No data about you is sent.

These services have their own privacy practices, which are outside our control. We do not send them your scan results, device inventory, or any identifying information beyond what an ordinary network request necessarily reveals (such as your public IP).

5. Permissions the app requests

  • Local Network — required to discover and scan devices on the network you are connected to. Without it, scanning cannot find anything.
  • Notifications (optional) — if you enable new-device alerts or background checks, NetSweep uses local notifications to tell you when a previously-unseen device appears. These notifications are generated on your device.

6. Background activity

If you enable background checks, NetSweep asks iOS to occasionally run a brief scan of your Wi-Fi network to detect newly-joined devices. iOS controls when (and whether) these run; they are opportunistic, not continuous. Results are compared on-device and used only to generate a local notification.

7. Children's privacy

NetSweep is a networking utility intended for general audiences and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children.

8. Intended use

NetSweep is designed for auditing and understanding networks that you own or are authorized to administer. You are responsible for using it lawfully and only on networks you have permission to scan.

9. Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "last updated" date. Material changes will be reflected here before they take effect.

10. Contact

Questions about this policy or NetSweep's privacy practices can be directed to the developer:

← Back to NetSweep