Privacy Policy - Bluetooth Finder: Hot/Cold

1) Overview

Bluetooth Finder: Hot/Cold helps you locate nearby Bluetooth devices by scanning for Bluetooth signals and showing proximity feedback based on signal strength (RSSI). This policy explains what data the app accesses, what stays on your device, and what may be sent to online services used by the app.

2) Bluetooth and local app data

When you use the app, it may access and display nearby Bluetooth device information during scanning, such as:

• Device name, if available.
• Bluetooth address or device identifier (MAC / ID).
• Signal strength (RSSI).
• Manufacturer or tracker type information inferred from Bluetooth advertising data.

If you use app features that save or customize devices, the app may store related data locally, such as saved devices, pinned devices, cached device names, app preferences, and last-seen details such as timestamp and RSSI.

The app does not upload your Bluetooth scan results, saved device list, pinned devices, or Bluetooth scan history to our own backend server.

3) Firebase and online service data

The app uses Google Firebase services to operate, improve, and monitor the app. Depending on how you use the app, Firebase may receive technical identifiers, device and app information, event timestamps, and diagnostic data.

• Firebase Analytics: used for product interaction events such as screen views, Find Mode usage, sort mode changes, opening the BlueTag invite page, submitting the invite form, tapping the Play Store link, tapping report-problem actions, and review prompts. We do not send submitted email addresses as Analytics event parameters.
• Firebase Remote Config: used to fetch app configuration, such as whether the BlueTag page shows closed-testing invite mode or an available Play Store link.
• Firebase Crashlytics: used to collect crash reports and diagnostics, which may include stack traces, app version, device model, operating system version, and other technical crash context.
• Cloud Firestore: used only when you voluntarily submit an email address for the BlueTag closed test invitation flow.

Firebase services are provided by Google. Google's handling of data is governed by Google's applicable privacy and Firebase terms.

4) BlueTag closed-test email collection

If the BlueTag page is in closed-testing mode, you may choose to submit your email address to request an invitation to the BlueTag closed test. This is optional.

When you submit an invite request, we store the email address in Firebase Cloud Firestore together with operational fields needed to process the request, such as a normalized email value, source screen, app package, app version, request timestamps, and request status.

We use this email address only to manage or send BlueTag closed-test invitations and related testing communication. We do not sell the email address, and we do not use it for unrelated marketing.

5) How we use data

We use data to:

• Show nearby Bluetooth devices and signal strength.
• Provide proximity guidance in Find Mode.
• Remember app preferences, saved devices, pinned devices, and cached names on your device.
• Operate Remote Config-controlled app experiences.
• Understand aggregate product usage and improve app quality.
• Investigate crashes and stability issues.
• Manage BlueTag closed-test invitation requests when you voluntarily provide an email address.

6) Data sharing

• We do not sell your data.
• We do not upload your Bluetooth scan results, saved device list, or scan history to our own backend server.
• We use Google Firebase as a service provider for analytics, remote configuration, crash reporting, and optional invite email storage.
• We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our legal rights, users, or services.

7) Storage and retention

• Local app data remains on your device until you remove saved data in the app, clear app storage, or uninstall the app.
• Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics data are retained according to the Firebase project settings and Google's applicable retention controls.
• BlueTag invite email requests are retained until the invitation or closed-test handling is complete, or until you request deletion.

8) Your choices and controls

• You can avoid closed-test email collection by not submitting the invite form.
• You can request deletion of a submitted BlueTag invite email by contacting us at group.byte.buddies@gmail.com.
• You can remove local app data by clearing app storage or uninstalling the app.
• You can control Android permissions through your device settings.

9) Permissions

The app may request permissions required by Android to scan for Bluetooth devices and support app features, such as:

• Bluetooth scanning and connection permissions, such as BLUETOOTH_SCAN and BLUETOOTH_CONNECT on Android 12+.
• Location permission on older Android versions where Android requires it for Bluetooth scanning. The app does not use this to build a location history.
• Notification permission for supported Android versions when notification features are available.
• Vibration and audio-related permissions for haptic and sound guidance features.
• Internet access for Firebase Analytics, Remote Config, Crashlytics, and optional closed-test invite submission.

10) Security

Local app data is stored using Android app storage. Online data is handled through Firebase services. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, but we aim to limit collected data to what is needed for the app features described in this policy.

11) Children's privacy

This app is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

12) Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will be available at the same URL, with an updated effective date.

13) Contact

If you have questions or want to request deletion of a submitted closed-test email address, contact: group.byte.buddies@gmail.com