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.
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:
4. Children's Privacy
EchoBlink does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.
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. Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at: echoblink.app@gmail.com