Privacy Policy for EchoBlink

Effective Date: June 14, 2026

Welcome to EchoBlink. Your privacy is critically important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how EchoBlink ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our mobile application.

EchoBlink is designed to function primarily as an offline, peer-to-peer communication tool. We prioritize your privacy by keeping data local to your device whenever possible.

1. Information We Collect and How We Use It

To provide our core features (SOS Alerts, Megaphone Broadcasts, and Flyer Distribution), EchoBlink requires certain device permissions. However, we do not collect, store on external servers, or sell your personal data.

a) Location Data (Background Location)

• Why we need it: EchoBlink uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to detect nearby users and transmit messages (SOS, flyers, mega-phone alerts) completely offline. Android requires Location permissions to scan for BLE devices in the background.
• How we use it: Location data is only used locally on your device to enable Bluetooth scanning and discovering nearby users.
• Data Storage: We do not track, log, or upload your physical GPS coordinates to any central server.

b) Bluetooth and Nearby Devices

• Why we need it: Bluetooth is the core technology that allows EchoBlink to send and receive messages offline.
• How we use it: We use BLE to broadcast your chosen profile data (like your VCard or Flyer) and to receive alerts from others.

c) User Profile and VCard Data

• What is it: Information you voluntarily enter into your EchoBlink profile (Name, Contact Info, Social Media links).
• How we use it: This data is stored locally on your device and is only broadcasted to nearby EchoBlink users via Bluetooth when you explicitly allow it.

d) Telemetry Data (Business Pro Flyers)

• What is it: If you interact with a "Business Pro" flyer, the app may anonymously log the view count.
• How we use it: This minimal telemetry (view counts) is synced to a database strictly to provide business users with accurate statistics on flyer engagement. No personal identifiers are linked to these views.

2. Data Storage and Security

• Local Storage: The vast majority of your data (messages, contacts, profiles) is stored locally on your device's internal storage using secure databases (SQLite).
• No Central Accounts: EchoBlink does not require an email, password, or account registration on a central server.

2a. Anonymity and Imaginary Names

EchoBlink is designed with anonymity as a core principle. You are free to enter any name, nickname, or imaginary pseudonym – with no identity verification whatsoever.

Who can see your name and profile?
Absolutely no one – until your interests match with someone nearby. EchoBlink keeps your profile completely locked and invisible to those around you. Only in that unique moment when you are looking for exactly what another person offers (or vice versa) does the system recognize you as a "Match" – and only then, exclusively to that one person, does it reveal your nickname and profile so you can begin communicating. Everything else remains a strict secret.

2b. Fair Business Model – Zero Third-Party Ads

EchoBlink will never display pop-up ads from third parties. Your use of the app is not "a product" being sold to advertisers.

Our model is built on fairness:

• Your first 50 private messages are completely free – because why would you pay before you even have someone to talk to?
• Megaphone broadcasts come with 15 free credits so you can try the feature without any obligation.
• If the app becomes useful to you, you can support its continued development with a one-time purchase exclusively via the Google Play store.
• SOS alerts are free forever for all users. Emergency situations will never be gated behind a paywall.

2c. In-App Purchases and Payment Processing

All financial transactions and in-app purchases are processed exclusively via the Google Play Billing service. We do not collect, store, or have access to your credit card or bank account information.

3. Third-Party Services

EchoBlink may utilize third-party services (such as Google ML Kit for on-device translation or Firebase for anonymous telemetry). These services have their own privacy policies:

• Google Privacy Policy

4. Age Restrictions

EchoBlink is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from minors. If you are under 18, please do not use this application.

4b. Child Safety and CSAM Policy

EchoBlink has a zero-tolerance policy against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and the exploitation of children. Any users found to be sharing, promoting, or engaging with such content will be immediately and permanently banned from the platform, and their details will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

5. 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 on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top.

6. Data Deletion Rights

Because EchoBlink stores your data locally on your device, uninstalling the application automatically deletes all your data. If you have interacted with Business Pro flyers and wish to have anonymous view logs deleted, you can send a request to echoblink.app@gmail.com and your data will be removed within 30 days.

7. Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at: echoblink.app@gmail.com