Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 21 Aug 2025

Introduction

Welcome to Pedometer: Step Counter – your trusted companion for tracking steps, staying active, and improving your health. We value your trust and are committed to protecting your privacy.

This Privacy Policy explains in detail:

  • What data we collect and why

  • How we use and protect your data

  • Your rights and choices (including opting out)

  • How long we retain your data

  • Contact details of our Data Controller and Data Protection Officer (DPO)

By using our app, you agree to the practices described in this document.

1. Information We Collect & How We Use It

You are not required to create an account or sign up. However, to enable accurate health and fitness tracking, you may choose to provide:

  • Personal Information: name, age, gender, height, and weight (used locally to calculate steps, distance, and calories burned).

  • Sensitive Personal Information: health-related details such as weight, height, and activity data (used only to provide health features).

  • Device Information: device ID, advertising ID, crash logs, and usage statistics (collected by Firebase/Google Play Services for analytics and ads).

  • Location Data: precise GPS location (for walking route tracking) and approximate location (for basic activity tracking).

We use this information only to:

  • Track steps, calories, and distance

  • Display statistics and charts in-app

  • Provide personalized/non-personalized ads

  • Improve app performance, stability, and user experience

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

2. Permissions We Request

To provide accurate step tracking and features, the app may request:

  • ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION – Detects and counts steps

  • ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION – Tracks GPS walking routes (precise location)

  • ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION – Tracks approximate location

  • POST_NOTIFICATIONS – Sends progress updates, reminders, motivational alerts

  • FOREGROUND_SERVICE_HEALTH - Keeps health tracking active in the background

  • FOREGROUND_SERVICE – Ensures uninterrupted step tracking in background

  • Schedule_Exact_ALARM – Schedules daily step goal reminders

  • WAKE_LOCK – Prevents phone from sleeping during active tracking

  • VIBRATE – Provides vibration alerts

  • Advertising ID – Used for ads, respecting your device privacy settings

3. Purpose of Data Access

We only use collected data to:

  • Track daily steps, calories burned, and distance.
  • Display statistics and progress charts in-app.
  • Show personalized or non-personalized ads.
  • Improve app performance through analytics and crash reports.
  • We do not sell or rent your personal data.

4. Right to Know About Data Sharing

You have the right to know if and how your data is shared. Currently, we share only non-personal technical data (such as crash reports, device type, and usage analytics) with trusted third-party services like Firebase and Google Play Services.

5. How to Opt-Out of Data Sale/Targeted Ads

We do not sell personal data. However, you may opt out of targeted/personalized ads by:

  • Adjusting your device settings: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization

  • Choosing non-personalized ads within the app (where available).

6. Data Retention Policy

We respect your privacy and follow a minimal data retention approach:

  • No Long-Term Storage: Personal and sensitive information (such as age, weight, height, and gender) is stored only on your device and removed whenever you delete it through the app settings.
  • No Accounts Required: We do not require user accounts, passwords, or credentials, so no such data is retained.
  • Temporary Permissions: Data accessed through permissions (e.g., location for walking routes) is processed locally in real time and not stored once it’s no longer needed.
  • Analytics & Crash Logs: Technical data collected by third-party services (Firebase, Google Play Services) is retained only for performance and reliability improvements, then deleted or anonymized.
  • No Backup Logs: We do not keep backups of personal data or maintain detailed user activity logs.

7. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates the following trusted services (subject to their own privacy policies):

These may collect device type, usage frequency, and crash logs.

8. Data Security

We implement safeguards including:

  • Encrypted connections where applicable
  • No sharing of personal/sensitive data without consent
  • Regular updates to maintain security compliance

9. CCPA (California) Rights

California residents may:

  • Request information about data collected.
  • Request data deletion (subject to exceptions).
  • Opt out of personal data sale (we do not sell personal data).
  • Receive equal service regardless of privacy rights exercised.

10. VCDPA (Virginia) Rights

Virginia residents may:

  • Access and correct personal data.
  • Request data deletion.
  • Obtain a portable copy of their data.
  • Opt out of targeted ads and profiling.

11. GDPR (EEA & UK) Rights

If you are in the EEA or UK, you may:

  • Know what data we collect and why
  • Access, correct, or delete your data.
  • Withdraw consent for processing.
  • Choose between personalized and non-personalized ads.

12. Legal Compliance

We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and VCDPA.We may disclose data only when required by law, court order, or government request.

13. Data Controller

Insta Apps Studio
Email: Instaappsstudio8@gmail.com

14. Data Protection Officer (DPO)

Privacy Team – Insta Apps Studio
Email: Instaappsstudio8@gmail.com

15. Policy Updates

We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. Any updates will be made available within the app and on our Play Store listing. We encourage you to review this Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information. 

16. Children’s Privacy

Our app is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If such data is found, we will delete it promptly.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions or privacy-related requests, contact us:

Email: Instaappsstudio8@gmail.com