PRIVACY POLICY
Messages - SMS & MMS Messenger
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Effective Date : July 25, 2026
Version : 1.0
Compliance : GDPR | Google Play Policy | Google AdMob Policy | EU Consent | COPPA
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QUICK SUMMARY
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Messages - SMS & MMS Messenger is a local SMS/MMS client app.
We do NOT collect, store, or transmit your messages or contacts
to any external servers. Your data stays on your device.
We only use Google AdMob to show ads, which may collect limited
advertising data as described below.
EU/EEA USERS: This app complies with GDPR. We use Google's
User Messaging Platform (UMP) to obtain your consent before
showing personalized ads. You may withdraw consent anytime
through in-app settings.
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1. INTRODUCTION & WHO WE ARE
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Welcome to Messages - SMS & MMS Messenger ("App", "we", "our").
This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information when you
use our Android application.
By installing and using the App, you agree to the practices
described in this Policy. If you do not agree, please uninstall
the App and discontinue use.
App Name : Messages - SMS & MMS Messenger
Platform : Android (Google Play Store)
Updated : July 25, 2026
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2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
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2.1 INFORMATION WE DO NOT COLLECT
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We do NOT:
- Upload or transmit your SMS or MMS messages to any server
- Send your contact list to any external service
- Record audio or capture photos/videos
- Track your location
- Create user accounts or profiles on our servers
- Share your personal data with third parties
(except as described for ads below)
2.2 DATA PROCESSED LOCALLY ON YOUR DEVICE
-------------------------------------------
The following data is accessed and processed LOCALLY on your
device only:
- SMS & MMS messages
Read, display, send, and manage your text messages
- Contacts
Display sender names in conversations
- Phone state
Detect dual-SIM cards for sending messages
- Backup files
Exported JSON backup files stored locally on your device
- App preferences
Theme, font, language, notification settings stored in
app's private storage
- PIN & security settings
Encrypted and stored locally, never transmitted
2.3 DATA COLLECTED BY GOOGLE ADMOB
-------------------------------------
We use Google AdMob to display advertisements.
AdMob may collect:
- Device advertising ID (Android Advertising ID / GAID)
- IP address (for approximate location/country)
- Device information (model, OS version, language)
- App usage data and interaction with ads
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
This data is processed by Google LLC under its own Privacy Policy.
See: https://policies.google.com/privacy
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3. APP PERMISSIONS EXPLAINED
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PERMISSION PURPOSE TYPE
---------------------- ------------------------------- ---------
READ_SMS Read messages to display in Required
conversations
SEND_SMS Send text messages on your Required
behalf
RECEIVE_SMS Receive incoming SMS in Required
real-time
RECEIVE_MMS Receive incoming MMS messages Required
RECEIVE_WAP_PUSH Required for MMS delivery by Required
Android system
READ_CONTACTS Show contact names instead of Required
phone numbers
READ_PHONE_STATE Detect SIM card slots for Required
dual-SIM sending
POST_NOTIFICATIONS Show notifications for new Required
messages (Android 13+)
Internet (via AdMob) Load and display advertisements Ads Only
NOTE: All SMS-related permissions are declared as Core
Functionality in Google Play, as this App is a Default SMS
Handler application. This complies with Google Play's SMS
permission policy.
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4. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
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We use permissions and locally accessed data exclusively for:
- Core Messaging
Sending, receiving, reading, and managing SMS/MMS messages
- Contact Display
Showing contact names in the conversation list
- Notifications
Alerting you when new messages arrive
- Security Features
PIN-locking private conversations (stored locally only)
- Scheduled Messages
Storing scheduled message data locally until send time
- Backup & Restore
Exporting/importing your message data to/from local storage
- Personalization
Saving your theme, font, and language preferences locally
- Advertising
Displaying ads via Google AdMob SDK to keep app free
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5. EU/EEA CONSENT & GDPR COMPLIANCE
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5.1 LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING
--------------------------------
For users in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland, we process personal
data under the following legal bases:
- Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR)
For personalized advertising via AdMob
- Legitimate Interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)
For non-personalized ads and core app functionality
- Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR)
For delivering the SMS messaging service you requested
5.2 GOOGLE UMP (USER MESSAGING PLATFORM)
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When you first launch the App in the EU/EEA region, you will
be shown a consent dialog powered by Google's UMP. This allows
you to:
- Accept personalized ads (based on your interests)
- Accept non-personalized ads only
- Manage your ad partner consent choices
You can change your consent at any time via:
App Settings --> Privacy --> Ad Preferences
5.3 DATA RETENTION
-------------------
We do not retain any personal data on our servers because we
have no servers. All message and preference data remains on
your device until you delete the app or clear app data.
AdMob data retention is governed by Google's privacy policy.
5.4 INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
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Your SMS and contact data is NEVER transferred internationally.
Only AdMob may transfer advertising-related data to Google's
servers, which are covered by Google's Standard Contractual
Clauses (SCCs) for GDPR compliance.
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6. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
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Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
- Right to Access
Request information about what data we process
- Right to Rectification
Correct inaccurate personal data
- Right to Erasure ("Right to be forgotten")
Request deletion of your data
- Right to Object
Object to processing for direct marketing or profiling
- Right to Portability
Receive your data in a portable format (JSON backup)
- Right to Restriction
Restrict how your data is processed
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via the
contact information in Section 10.
For AdMob-related rights, visit: https://myadcenter.google.com
EU Users: You also have the right to lodge a complaint with
your local Data Protection Authority (DPA).
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7. GOOGLE ADMOB & ADVERTISING
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7.1 ABOUT ADMOB
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We use Google AdMob (by Google LLC) to show ads in the App.
AdMob helps us keep the App free for all users.
7.2 TYPES OF ADS
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- Personalized Ads
Based on your interests (requires consent in EU/EEA)
- Non-Personalized Ads
Based on app context only, not personal data
7.3 ADVERTISING ID
-------------------
AdMob uses the Android Advertising ID (GAID). You can reset
or opt out at any time via:
Android Settings --> Google --> Ads --> Delete advertising ID
7.4 ADMOB POLICY COMPLIANCE
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Our AdMob integration fully complies with:
- Google AdMob Policies
- Google Play Monetization Policies
- GDPR via Google UMP SDK
- COPPA - This app is NOT directed at children under 13
7.5 OPT-OUT OF PERSONALIZED ADS
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- Android Settings --> Privacy --> Ads
--> Opt out of Ads Personalization
- Google My Ad Center: https://myadcenter.google.com
- NAI Opt-Out: https://optout.networkadvertising.org
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8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY (COPPA)
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This App is NOT directed to children under the age of 13
(or 16 in the EU/EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal
information from children.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has
used this App, please contact us immediately. We will take
prompt action to remove such information.
Our AdMob configuration is set to NOT serve child-directed
ads (COPPA flag: tagForChildDirectedTreatment = false).
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9. DATA SECURITY
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We take the security of your data seriously:
- Local Storage Only
All messages, contacts, and app data remain on your device
- PIN Encryption
Your lock PIN is stored using Android's encrypted
SharedPreferences
- FLAG_SECURE
The PIN entry screen prevents screenshots using Android's
FLAG_SECURE flag
- No Cloud Sync
We do not sync your data to any cloud service
- Backup Files
JSON backup files are stored in your device's local
storage, protected by Android's file system permissions
While we implement strong security measures, no method of
electronic storage is 100% secure. We encourage you to use
your device's screen lock and keep your OS updated.
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10. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
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The App integrates only with the following third-party service:
SERVICE PROVIDER PURPOSE
---------------------- ----------- --------------------------
Google AdMob Google LLC In-app advertising
Google Play Services Google LLC App distribution & updates
Google UMP SDK Google LLC EU consent management
Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
We do NOT sell, trade, or rent your personal information to
any third parties. We have no analytics SDK, crash reporting
SDK, or social media SDK in this app.
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11. GOOGLE PLAY POLICY COMPLIANCE
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This App complies with all Google Play Developer Policies:
[OK] SMS & Call Log Permissions Policy
App is declared as Default SMS Handler with legitimate
core functionality
[OK] Prominent Disclosure
All sensitive permissions are disclosed before requesting
[OK] Data Safety Section
Google Play Data Safety form accurately reflects this
privacy policy
[OK] Deceptive Behavior
The App does not use deceptive tactics or hidden
functionality
[OK] Malware Policy
No malware, spyware, or unauthorized data collection
[OK] Families Policy
Not targeted at children; child-directed ad treatment
properly configured
[OK] Ads Policy
Ads are clearly distinguishable from app content
DATA SAFETY FORM (Google Play Console):
- Data collected : Approximate location (AdMob),
Device IDs (AdMob)
- Data NOT collected: Messages, contacts, personal info,
financial info, health info
- Data sharing : Advertising IDs shared with Google AdMob
- Security : Data encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
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12. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
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We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
When we make changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Notify users through an in-app notification for significant
changes
- Post the updated policy at the same URL
Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance
of the updated policy.
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13. CONTACT US
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If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding
this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us:
Email : shivanshspices3@gmail.com
Website : https://sites.google.com/view/messages-app-privacypolicy
We will respond to all privacy-related requests within 30 days
as required by GDPR.