Privacy Policy for Focus - App Usage Limiter
Last Updated: December 2024
Introduction
Focus is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what data is stored locally on your device and how third-party advertising services may collect information when you use our mobile application.
Our Privacy Commitment
Focus does NOT collect, store, or transmit any of your personal data to our servers:
- We do not have any backend servers
- We do not collect your personal information
- We do not upload any data to the cloud
- We do not track your activity across apps
- We do not share your data with third parties (except advertising partners as described below)
- All app usage data stays on your device only
Data Stored Locally on Your Device
The following data is stored exclusively on your device and never leaves it:
1. App Usage Data
- What: Time spent in each application, app launch counts, and usage patterns
- How: Collected through Android's Usage Stats API
- Purpose: To track and enforce the app time limits you set
- Storage: Local database on your device only
2. App Settings and Preferences
- What: Your configured time limits, PIN codes, emergency access duration, and network blocking preferences
- How: When you configure settings in the app
- Purpose: To provide the app limiting functionality
- Storage: Encrypted local storage using Android's DataStore
3. Network Control Settings
- What: WiFi, mobile data, and background refresh preferences for each app
- How: When you configure network controls
- Purpose: To block network access for restricted apps
- Storage: Local database on your device
Third-Party Advertising
To support the development and maintenance of Focus, we display advertisements through Google AdMob. These advertising services may collect and process certain information:
Information Collected by Google AdMob
- Device information: Device model, operating system version, unique device identifiers
- Ad interaction data: Which ads you view or click on
- General location: Approximate location based on IP address (not precise GPS location)
- App usage: Time spent in the app, general usage patterns
Purpose of Ad Data Collection
- To display relevant advertisements
- To measure ad performance
- To prevent fraud and abuse
- To comply with legal obligations
Ad Personalization
You can control ad personalization:
- Visit Google Ad Settings: https://adssettings.google.com
- Opt out of personalized ads in your device settings (Android: Settings > Google > Ads)
- You will still see ads, but they may be less relevant to you
Third-Party Ad Partners
We use the following advertising services:
These services have their own privacy policies and data practices that are independent of Focus.
Data Security
- All locally stored data is protected by Android's secure application sandbox
- Data is only accessible by the Focus app
- Your device's security measures (lock screen, encryption) protect your data
- We do not transmit your usage data, settings, or any personal information to our servers
Permissions We Request
Usage Access Permission
- Purpose: To monitor app usage time on your device
- Necessity: Required for core functionality
- Data: Never sent to any server, stored locally only
Accessibility Service Permission
- Purpose: To detect and block app launches when limits are exceeded
- Necessity: Required for app blocking functionality
- Data: Only used in real-time, not stored or transmitted
Overlay Permission
- Purpose: To display block screens when limits are reached
- Necessity: Required for blocking interface
VPN Permission
- Purpose: To block network access for restricted apps
- Necessity: Optional - only needed for network blocking feature
- Data: Network traffic is filtered locally, no data is sent to external servers
Notification Permission
- Purpose: To show usage alerts and limit notifications
- Necessity: Optional but recommended for alerts
Internet Permission
- Purpose: To display advertisements only
- Data: No app functionality data is transmitted; only ad-related requests to Google AdMob
Children's Privacy
Focus does not collect any personal information from users of any age. The app is designed as a productivity and parental control tool. Advertisements shown are served by Google AdMob, which complies with COPPA requirements for child-directed content.
Your Rights and Control
You have complete control over your locally stored data:
- Access: View all data directly in the app's interface
- Modify: Change any limits, settings, or preferences at any time
- Delete: All local data is immediately deleted when you uninstall the app
- No Export Needed: Since no data leaves your device, there's nothing to export or download
For advertising data collected by Google AdMob:
- Manage ad personalization through Google Ad Settings
- Request data deletion from Google directly
- Opt out of personalized advertising through your device settings
Data Retention
- All data is stored only on your device while the app is installed
- Historical usage data is kept locally for 30 days for statistics display
- Uninstalling the app immediately and permanently deletes all local data
- We have no data to retain on our servers because we don't collect any
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do NOT share any data because we do not collect any:
- No user data is sent to Focus developers
- No usage statistics are collected by us
- No analytics services are used by Focus
- The only third-party service is Google AdMob for advertising
- AdMob may collect device and ad interaction data as described above
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or advertising partners. Changes will be noted with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us.
Legal Compliance
This app and our privacy practices comply with:
- Google Play Store policies
- Android platform requirements
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)
- CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
Third-Party Privacy Policies
For information about how our advertising partners handle data:
By using Focus, you agree to this Privacy Policy.