# Privacy Policy for Expense Tracker
**Last updated:** September 08, 2026
Welcome to **Expense Tracker** ("the App"), developed by **AAChavan** ("we", "our", or "us"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting any information associated with your use of our mobile application.Â
This Privacy Policy explains how our App handles information and outlines our data practices in full compliance with the Google Play Developer Program Policies.
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## 1. Summary: Offline-First & Privacy by Design
* **Your financial data stays on your device:** All your expenses, incomes, budgets, savings goals, and Debts & IOUs are stored strictly on your device's local database. We do not operate external servers to collect, upload, or sell your financial data.
* **No Account Required:** You do not need to register, log in, or provide personal identity details (such as email or phone number) to track your finances.
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## 2. Information We Collect and How It Is Used
### A. Financial and Transaction Data (Stored Locally)
* **What is recorded:** Amounts, transaction notes, merchant names, categories, debt records, repayment histories, and dates.
* **Storage & Access:** Stored locally in a secure SQLite Room database on your device. We have no access to this data, and it is never transmitted to our servers or any third parties.
### B. Camera and Receipt Images (On-Device Processing)
* **Purpose:** If you choose to use the "Scan Paper Receipt (OCR)" feature, the App requests camera access to take a photo of your paper receipt.
* **On-Device Machine Learning:** Receipt text recognition is performed 100% locally on your phone using Google ML Kit's on-device text recognition. The images are processed in temporary local cache and are never uploaded to cloud servers.
### C. Biometric Authentication Data
* **Purpose:** If you enable App Lock (Fingerprint or Face Unlock), the App utilizes Android's secure `BiometricPrompt` API.
* **Security:** Biometric authentication is managed entirely by your device's secure hardware (Trusted Execution Environment). The App never sees, accesses, or stores your biometric templates.
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## 3. Third-Party Services & SDKs
The App integrates trusted third-party SDKs that may collect pseudonymous technical data to support ads and in-app billing:
### A. Google AdMob (Advertising)
* **Purpose:** To display rewarded video advertisements that allow users to unlock premium features for free (e.g. 30-Minute Pro Passes).
* **Data Collected:** Google Mobile Ads SDK may automatically collect device identifiers (such as Android Advertising ID), general device information, IP address, and app performance/crash diagnostics for fraud prevention and ad delivery.
* **Privacy Policy:** https://policies.google.com/privacy
### B. Google Play Billing
* **Purpose:** To manage optional monthly/annual Pro subscriptions.
* **Data Handled:** All payment transactions are processed directly by Google Play. We do not collect, process, or store credit card numbers, bank accounts, or UPI credentials.
* **Privacy Policy:** https://play.google.com/intl/en_us/about/play-terms/
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## 4. Permissions Requested by the App
The App only requests permissions that are strictly necessary for its features:
* **Camera (`android.permission.CAMERA`):** Required only when capturing photos of receipts for offline OCR extraction.
* **Internet (`android.permission.INTERNET`):** Required for loading AdMob advertisements and processing Google Play Billing subscription verifications.
* **Network State (`android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`):** Used to verify connectivity for ad loading.
* **Biometrics (`android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC`):** Used to secure access to the app via fingerprint or face unlock.
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## 5. Data Retention and Deletion
* Since your data is stored locally on your device, you have complete control over it at all times.
* You can clear all data anytime via the **Settings > Clear All Data** feature or by clearing the App's storage / uninstalling the App from your Android settings.
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## 6. Children's Privacy
The App is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
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## 7. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.
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## 8. Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
* **Developer / Support:** Amit Chavan
* **Email:** achavan126@gmail.com