Privacy Policy

Mindful Guard
Last Updated: August 2025Effective Date: August 2025

Mindful Guard is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information in our productivity and focus management application.

1. Data Collection

What We Collect

Mindful Guard operates on a "privacy-first" principle. We collect minimal data necessary for app functionality.

✓Data Stored Locally on Your Device

  • Timer Settings: Duration, labels, and scheduled times you configure
  • App Selection Data: Lists of apps you choose to block during focus sessions
  • Usage Preferences: Your notification settings, theme preferences, and accessibility configurations
  • Session History: Local records of your focus sessions for personal tracking and analytics
  • Background Scheduling: Timer schedules and automation preferences
  • App Inventory: Complete list of installed apps with metadata
  • Usage Analytics: Local app usage statistics including daily/weekly usage times
  • Performance Data: App performance metrics, logs, and optimization data stored temporarily
  • Cache Data: App icons, usage statistics cache, and discovery state for improved performance

❌Data We DO NOT Collect

  • Personal identifying information
  • Usage data sent to external servers
  • Analytics or tracking data
  • Location information
  • Contact information
  • Device identifiers for tracking purposes
  • Any data from blocked applications

2. Accessibility Service Data Usage

Why We Need Accessibility Service Access

Mindful Guard uses Android's Accessibility Service exclusively for app blocking functionality during your focus sessions.

What We CAN Technically Access

  • Window State Changes
  • Window Content
  • App Interface Elements

What We ACTUALLY Use

  • App Launch Detection
  • App Package Identification
  • App Blocking Enforcement
  • Focus Session Management

What We DO NOT Access

  • Personal content within apps
  • User input data
  • Screen content reading
  • Cross-app personal information
  • User behavior patterns

Data Handling Principles

Processing
Local only on your device
Storage
No permanent storage
Transmission
Never leaves your device
Purpose
App blocking only

3. Permissions Explained

Mindful Guard requests the following permissions for specific functionalities:

Required Permissions

🔐Accessibility Service

Purpose:

Block selected apps during focus sessions

Data Access:

App launch events only

Usage:

Local processing only, no data storage

🔔Notifications

Purpose:

Display focus session status and timer updates

Data Access:

None (we create notifications, don't read them)

Usage:

Keep you informed about active sessions

📊Usage Access (Package Usage Stats)

Purpose:

Analyze your app usage patterns to provide intelligent blocking suggestions

Data Access:

App usage time statistics (daily/weekly), usage frequency, and last-used timestamps

Usage:

Generate smart app recommendations based on your personal usage patterns

⏰Alarms & Reminders (Exact Alarm)

Purpose:

Schedule precise timer start/stop times for background operation

Data Access:

System time only

Usage:

Automated timer scheduling

⚡Background App Refresh

Purpose:

Maintain timer functionality when app is closed

Data Access:

Timer state only

Usage:

Continuous focus session management

🔋Battery Optimization Exemption

Purpose:

Ensure timers work reliably in background

Data Access:

None

Usage:

Prevent system from stopping focus sessions

🌐Internet Access

Purpose:

Required by React Native framework for app initialization

Data Access:

No actual network communication or data transmission

Usage:

Framework dependency only - no external data collection

📱Device Storage Access

Purpose:

Store app icons, cache data, and improve app performance

Data Access:

App-specific storage directories only

Usage:

Local file storage for icons, temporary cache, and offline functionality

🔍App Discovery (Query All Packages)

Purpose:

Scan installed apps to provide comprehensive blocking options

Data Access:

App names, package identifiers, and basic metadata of installed apps

Usage:

Generate app selection lists - data never transmitted externally

4. Data Storage

Local Storage Only

  • All data stays on your device: Mindful Guard uses local device storage exclusively
  • No cloud sync: We do not sync your data to external servers
  • No backups to our servers: Your data remains under your control
Storage locations:
  • • SQLite database (mindful_guard_v2.db)
  • • Android SharedPreferences for settings
  • • React Native AsyncStorage for app state
  • • Local cache directories for app icons

Data Security

  • Encryption: Sensitive settings are stored using Android's secure storage mechanisms
  • Access Control: Only Mindful Guard can access its data
  • Data Integrity: Regular validation ensures data consistency
  • Backup Exclusion: All data explicitly excluded from cloud backup

Data Retention

  • User Control: You control all data through app settings
  • App Uninstall: All data is automatically deleted when you uninstall
  • Performance logs: Retained for 7 days maximum
  • App cache: Refreshed every 24 hours
  • Focus sessions: Kept until manually deleted

5. Third-Party Sharing

Zero Third-Party Data Sharing

Mindful Guard does not share, sell, or transmit any data to third parties, including:

❌Analytics companies
❌Advertising networks
❌Data brokers
❌Social media platforms
❌Cloud services
❌Other applications
❌Government entities

No External Integrations

No tracking SDKs: We don't use analytics or crash reporting services
No social features: No data sharing with social platforms
No cloud features: No account creation or synchronization

6. User Rights and Controls

You have complete control over your data:

✅Access

  • • View all stored data through settings
  • • Review focus session statistics
  • • Review app blocking configurations

✅Modify

  • • Edit timer settings and schedules
  • • Update app selection lists
  • • Change notification preferences

✅Delete

  • • Clear timer configurations
  • • Delete session history
  • • Reset all app settings

✅Control

  • • Enable/disable features
  • • Manage permission grants
  • • Control background processing

Privacy Controls

Accessibility Service: Disable anytime through Android Settings
Permissions: Revoke individual permissions through Android Settings
Service Control: Start/stop blocking services as needed

7. Contact Information

Privacy Concerns

For any privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests:

Contact: Through app settings or your app store's developer contact method
Subject Line: "Mindful Guard Privacy Inquiry"
Response Time: Within 48 hours (complex requests up to 7 business days)

Data Requests

For specific data-related requests:

  • Data Access: Request details about stored data
  • Data Correction: Report inaccuracies in stored information
  • Data Deletion: Request complete data removal
  • Technical Support: Help with privacy settings

Additional Information

Children's Privacy

Mindful Guard does not knowingly collect information from users under 13 years of age. The app is designed for general productivity use and contains no age-restricted content.

Data Protection Compliance

Mindful Guard is designed to comply with:

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection Act)
Local privacy regulations where applicable

Summary

Mindful Guard's Privacy Promise

🏠
Your data stays on your device
🚫
No external data transmission
🔒
Local processing only
👤
Complete user control
📞
Responsive privacy support

By using Mindful Guard, you can focus on productivity while maintaining complete privacy and data control.

This privacy policy is effective as of August 2025 and applies to all versions of Mindful Guard. For the most current version, check within the app settings.