Help Pages

Permissions

The basic concept behind the Bodyguard, Virtual Defender, Personal Security Network is to provide to the user the tools necessary to organize a security shield around themselves and their trusted circle of friends. At the core of this security shield is the sharing of sensitive information among the members of each security network alliance. Also central is the idea that information and knowledge, and the ability to respond to a threat in real-time, are essential and powerful tools in combating crime directed at vulnerable individuals.

In order to fulfil this mission, the user should enable the technical means that are key to providing the necessary functionality.

This section discusses in detail every permission requested by the Application and why it is important and necessary to accept these requests.

Contact Permissions

Reading device contacts is part of the core functionality of Bodyguard. Contact information is used only to identify persons that you may want to assign as members of your Personal Security Alliance Network. Your contacts information never leaves your device and is never shared with anyone without your express consent. Contacts that you select as members of your Personal Security Alliance Network must be registered as such on your device. No other alterations to your contacts are made by the Application.

This is one of the critical permissions that must be granted for the Application to be functional.

Location Permissions

Accurately determining device's location is part of the core functionality of Bodyguard. Location information collected by this application is shared only with members of your Personal Security Alliance Network. This information is stored in the cloud in a fully encrypted format and is never shared with anyone without your express consent. You must allow the Application to collect location data at all times while the Application is running, whether in the foreground, or in the background. The Application automatically registers your device's location once every time you open Bodyguard. After that you are always in full control of whether and when your location data is collected. Please refer to the Location Help section for the detailed discussion of location data collection and usage.

This is one of the critical permissions that must be granted for the Application to be functional.

Camera Permissions

Operating the camera to take snapshots and record video is part of the core functionality of Bodyguard. Still images and video recordings may be stored locally on the device and in the cloud. These images and recordings are shared only with members of your Personal Security Alliance Network that you specifically identify and authorize. In an emergency situation, these recordings may be shared with first responders, if you so choose. The Application does not use your device's camera in any other way, or for any other purpose.

This is one of the critical permissions that must be granted for the Application to be functional.

Microphone Permissions

Operating the microphone to record audio and video is part of the core functionality of Bodyguard. Audio and video recordings may be stored locally on the device and in the cloud. These recordings are shared only with the members of your Personal Security Alliance Network that you specifically identify and authorize. In an emergency situation, these recordings may be shared with first responders, if you so choose. The Application does not use your device's microphone in any other way, or for any other purpose.

This is one of the critical permissions that must be granted for the Application to be functional.

Phone Permissions

Calling your designated personal emergency contact, or a selected emergency response number, during an emergency situation is part of the core functionality of Bodyguard. Your phone will not be used by the Application in any other way. You can use the Settings options to choose the emergency number to call while in an emergency situation. Please refer to the Settings Help section for more details.

This is one of the critical permissions that must be granted for the Application to be functional.

Miscellaneous Permissions

In addition to the critical permissions that the user must explicitly grant, the Bodyguard Application also requires the following miscellaneous permissions to perform its functions.

• Access Network State

Allows applications to access information about networks. A generic permission similar to the Internet permission. See below.

• Bluetooth

Allows applications to connect to paired Bluetooth devices. This permission is used only to read the user's device name for identification purposes within the Device Filter. See the Location and Media Help sections.

• Foreground Service

Allows an application to start a foreground service. Allows Bodyguard to structure internal services in the most efficient way.

• Internet

Allows applications to open network sockets. This is a generic permission that allows Bodyguard to monitor connectivity status and restart failed requests if users go from a disconnected to a connected network state.

• Use Biometric

Allows an application to use device supported biometric modalities. Allows Bodyguard to request biometric authentication for unlocking the phone on supported devices.

• Use Fingerprint

Allows an application to use fingerprint hardware. Requested to provide same functionality as Use Biometric, but for older devices.

Device Admin App

There is one more security feature that the user should allow the Bodyguard Application to access.

Upon start up, the Bodyguard Application requests permission to be added to the list of Device Admin Apps. This allows it to perform special functions reserved for device administrator apps. The only device administrative function that Bodyguard performs is the screen locking function. This function is intended to provide an extra layer of security by allowing the user to quickly lock their device in a critical situation. Please refer to the Basic Operations Help section for the discussion of the LOCK security function.

---~~~--- \\\\\\ ---~~~---