Summary
Pet Door is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) controller app that allows you to connect to and control compatible hardware devices. We designed this app with privacy as a core principle:
Bluetooth Only
The app communicates directly with your devices via Bluetooth. No internet connection is required for core functionality.
Data Stays Local
All data, including device settings, connection history, and preferences, is stored only on your device.
No Cloud Upload
We do not upload any data from your device to our servers or any third-party servers.
No Personal Collection
We do not collect personal information, usage analytics, or device identifiers for tracking.
Data Flow Diagram
Visualizing how data moves (or doesn't move) in our app:
Your Device
Phone/Tablet
BLE Connection
Direct Bluetooth Link
Hardware Device
Your Controlled Device
Important: No arrows point to "Cloud" or "Internet" because our app doesn't transmit data online. All communication stays between your mobile device and the hardware you're controlling.
1. Bluetooth BLE Usage
To control hardware devices, our app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. This requires certain permissions and involves specific data exchanges:
BLE Communication: The app exchanges data with your connected devices to send control commands and receive status updates. This communication happens directly between your mobile device and the hardware via Bluetooth.
What BLE Data is Involved:
- Device Discovery: The app scans for nearby BLE devices to show available hardware for connection.
- Device Identifiers: BLE device addresses (like MAC addresses) and service UUIDs are used to establish and maintain connections.
- Control Data: Commands sent to your devices (e.g., "turn on," "set temperature to 72°F") and status information received from them.
- Connection Data: Information about when you connect/disconnect and connection strength (RSSI).
All BLE communication data remains on your device and is not transmitted to external servers.
2. Data Collection & Storage
Our app follows a strict local-only data policy:
Data Stored Locally (On Your Device):
- Paired Devices List: Information about devices you've previously connected to for easier reconnection.
- Device Settings & Preferences: Custom configurations you create for your hardware devices.
- Connection History: Recent connections and interactions (stored only for app functionality).
- App Preferences: Your settings for the app's interface and behavior.
Data We Do NOT Collect:
- Personal identification information (name, email, phone number)
- Location data (except as required by Android for BLE scanning)
- Usage analytics or behavioral tracking data
- Device identifiers for advertising or profiling
- Any data from your connected hardware devices
No Data Upload: We do not have servers that receive data from this app. There is no backend infrastructure collecting information from your use of the app. All data remains exclusively on your device.
3. Permissions Required
The app requires certain permissions to function properly:
| Permission | Why It's Needed | Data Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | To discover, connect to, and communicate with BLE devices | BLE device scanning and communication only |
| Location (Android) | Required by Android OS for BLE device discovery (system requirement) | We do not access, collect, or use your location data |
| Storage (Optional) | To save/load device configurations or export settings | Only to files you explicitly choose to save/load |
Note on Location Permission (Android): Due to Android system requirements, BLE scanning requires location permission. We want to emphasize that we do not collect, access, or use your location data. This permission is solely to satisfy Android's requirement for BLE functionality and is not used for any location tracking or geolocation purposes.
4. Third-Party Services
Our app minimizes third-party integrations to protect your privacy:
No Third-Party Analytics or Tracking
We do not integrate any of the following:
- Analytics platforms (Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics, etc.)
- Advertising networks or ad SDKs
- Crash reporting services (unless you explicitly opt-in)
- Behavioral tracking frameworks
Platform Services
Please note that app distribution platforms (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) may collect data according to their own privacy policies when you download or update the app.
5. Children's Privacy
Our app does not collect personal data from anyone, including children under the age of 13. Since we don't upload data to servers, there's no risk of children's information being collected or stored externally.
We recommend parental supervision when children use Bluetooth-connected devices, as the app can control physical hardware that may not be suitable for unsupervised use.
6. Your Control Over Data
You have full control over data within the app:
- Clear Device History: You can remove paired devices from the app's device list at any time.
- Delete App Data: Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data.
- Manage Permissions: You can disable app permissions through your device settings (note: disabling Bluetooth will prevent app functionality).
- No Account Required: There's no login or account creation, so there's no personal data profile to manage or delete.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy if we make changes to the app. Since we don't collect data, changes would typically be to provide more clarity or if we add optional features.
If we ever change our data practices in a way that involves data collection or upload, we will:
- Clearly announce the change within the app before it takes effect
- Explain exactly what data would be collected and why
- Obtain explicit opt-in consent before collecting any data
- Provide a way to continue using the app without data collection if possible
8. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Email: lanyanbo@qq.com
Subject: "Privacy Policy Inquiry - Pet Door"
We are committed to transparency and will respond to privacy-related inquiries promptly.