Benefit

Manage telephone numbers and names in “Bury Contacts” to not disclose this personal data unauthorized or inadvertently to third parties. This may happen by using apps that read the entire address book.

Motivation

As a private person you can often neglect privacy, as an entrepreneur you are committed to privacy. From May 25, 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union (EU GDPR) is enforceable. Non-compliant organizations face severe fines.

Dilemma

To prevent the sharing of your business contacts, you can discontinue using suspicious apps or discontinue storage of business data in “Contacts”.

Way out

Relocate business phone numbers and names of contacts in Bury Contacts.

Features

The App allows you to maintain a simple list of telephone numbers and names. Incoming calls are identified by the phone number. Known names are displayed on the call and in the recent calls log. Alternatively, call blocking is possible. “Bury Contacts” can be searched and dialed. The data is stored in a large, simple text field that is only stored on your iPhone. Copy existing data and paste it into “Bulk Load”. Import. Done!

Background

Bury Contacts was developed by an entrepreneur accountable for the protection of the rights of individuals under Chapter 3 of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. Some of the rights, such as the “right to be forgotten” (art. 17), can not be exercised as soon as data is passed on to inappropriate third parties. However, the material scope of the EU GDPR does not apply to “personal or family activities” (art. 2c). The idea is to use “Contacts” with third-party apps such as Messengers for private fun and “Bury Contacts” for business purposes.

Limitations

Bury Contacts is only a makeshift and not a replacement for “Contacts”. It not even comes close to. You don’t get much more beyond a label on a number for an incoming phone call. On iPhone display only. Not on Bluetooth or otherwise connected devices. No audio call announcement. No Siri. This App requires the latest iOS available for it’s development platform iPhone SE. It should work on similar iOS/ iDevices. Do not expect great enhancements, intensive compatibility testing or great customer support. Maintenance will likely be discontinued once a better solution exists.

Scenarios related to EU-GDPR 🇪🇺

Apple iOS lets you decide whether a third-party App may access your “Contacts” – but it’s an “all or nothing” decision. If you opt for “nothing” you severely limit the use the third-party App. If you opt for “all” you probably transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area. EEA includes all EU countries and non-EU countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The European Commission has published Adequacy of the protection of personal data in non-EU countries. Note the EU-US Privacy Shield is actually a restraint.

Having private contacts only transfer is permitted.

Having private and business contacts and not disclosing them is permitted.

Having private and business contacts and disclosing them to third parties is only allowed under hardly achievable conditions and therefore practically prohibited.

Having private and business contacts and disclosing only the private ones is permitted.