Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share information when you use our mobile application Steply: Walk & Step Counter (hereinafter referred to as the "App").

1. Information We Collect and How We Use It

To provide you with physical activity tracking, mapping, and a gamified experience (like maintaining walking streaks), we collect and process certain types of data.

A. Physical Activity & Step Data

• What we collect: Step count data from your device's built-in step counter/pedometer sensors.
• Why we collect it: To count your daily steps, track your walking progress, calculate active time, and help you maintain your daily walking streak.
• Storage: This data is stored locally on your device in our secure local SQLite database.

B. Location Data (GPS)

• What we collect: Precise location coordinates (GPS) while you are actively tracking a walk.
• Why we collect it: To record your walking route, calculate your precise walking distance, and display your path on the integrated map.
• Background Processing: We use a background service to ensure that if you close your screen or put the App in the background while actively tracking a walk, your route continues to be recorded accurately without interruption.
• Storage: Your route paths and GPS history are stored locally on your device. We do not upload your precise real-time location data to any external servers.

C. Notifications & Exact Alarms

• What we use: System permissions to schedule local notifications and exact alarms.
• Why we use it: To send you timely reminders for your scheduled walks, keep you motivated, and remind you to maintain your streak. Exact alarms are required to bypass system battery optimization and ensure notifications trigger precisely at the scheduled time.

D. Automatically Collected Device & Usage Information

We use third-party analytics and optimization tools to monitor app performance and improve stability:

• Firebase Analytics: Collects anonymous usage metrics (e.g., screens visited, features used) to help us understand how users interact with the App.
• Firebase Crashlytics: Collects anonymized crash logs, device model information, and system versions to help us debug and fix software issues.
• Google Mobile Ads (AdMob): Collects device identifiers and non-personal diagnostic data to display non-intrusive advertisements inside the App.

2. Data Storage and Security

• Local-First Architecture: Your privacy is our priority. Your step logs, walking history, mapped routes, and settings are stored entirely on your device using secure local databases (SQLite) and local preferences.
• No Central Server Storage: We do not host or store your personal walking routes or physical activity data on our own databases or cloud servers.
• Security Measures: We use industry-standard security measures to protect the integrity of your local data. However, please secure your physical device to prevent unauthorized local access.

3. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal data to third parties. We only share information with third-party service providers under strict privacy terms:

• Google Firebase: For crash reporting and app analytics.
• Google AdMob: For displaying advertisements (which may use device identifiers for ad personalization, depending on your device settings).

4. Children’s Privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will immediately delete it from our systems.

5. User Rights and Control

Since your data is stored completely locally, you have full control over your information:

• You can delete your entire walking history and routes at any time by clearing the App's data in your device settings or by uninstalling the App.
• You can grant or revoke permissions for Location (GPS), Physical Activity, and Notifications at any time through your device's system settings.

6. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the App and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at:

• Email: sallystudio.dev@gmail.com