("we", "us", or "our") operates the Messages mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains what information the App may access, how that information is used, and how we protect your information.
The Messages App is designed to provide SMS and MMS messaging functionality, including sending and receiving text messages, managing conversations, and sending or receiving media through supported messaging features.
By using the App, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. INFORMATION WE ACCESS
Depending on the features you use and the permissions you grant, the App may access the following information.
SMS AND MMS MESSAGES
If you set Messages as your device's default SMS application, the App requires access to SMS-related information to provide core messaging functionality.
This may include:
• SMS messages you receive
• SMS messages you send
• Message content
• Sender or recipient information
• Message date and time
• MMS messages and associated content when supported
This information is used to display your conversations, allow you to send and receive messages, and provide messaging functionality.
Your SMS and MMS content is used for the messaging functionality of the App and is not sold to advertisers.
CONTACTS
The App may request access to your contacts so that you can select recipients, identify contacts in conversations, and use contact names or phone numbers when composing messages.
We only access contacts when the relevant permission has been granted by you.
PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND OTHER MEDIA
When you choose to attach or send media through the App, the App may access the relevant media selected by you.
Media access is used to provide messaging features such as attaching and sending images, videos, or other supported files.
The App does not require you to upload your personal media to our servers simply to use the messaging functionality.
DEVICE AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The App and third-party services integrated into the App may process limited technical information required for advertising, analytics, crash reporting, security, and application operation.
Depending on the services used, this may include:
• Device type and model
• Operating system version
• App version
• Approximate device or network information
• IP address
• Advertising identifiers, where applicable
• Diagnostic and crash information
• App interaction or usage information
The information collected by third-party services is subject to their respective privacy policies.
2. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
Information accessed by the App may be used to:
• Provide SMS and MMS messaging functionality
• Send and receive messages
• Display and organize conversations
• Allow you to select message recipients
• Allow you to attach and send supported media
• Maintain application functionality
• Respond to support requests
• Detect and resolve technical problems
• Improve application performance and reliability
• Understand application usage through permitted analytics
• Display and measure advertisements
• Prevent fraud, abuse, or security issues
• Comply with applicable legal requirements
3. DEFAULT SMS APPLICATION
Some messaging functionality requires Messages to be selected as the default SMS application.
When Messages is your default SMS application, Android grants the App the permissions necessary to provide SMS-related functionality.
You can change your default SMS application at any time through your Android device settings.
4. APP PERMISSIONS
The App may request permissions depending on the features available in your version of the App.
These may include:
READ_SMS: Used to read SMS messages required for messaging functionality.
SEND_SMS: Used to send SMS messages.
RECEIVE_SMS: Used to receive incoming SMS messages.
RECEIVE_MMS: Used to receive supported MMS messages.
READ_CONTACTS: Used to display contacts and help you select message recipients.
CALL_PHONE: Used where required for supported phone-number actions initiated by the user.
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE or applicable media permissions: Used to access media selected for messaging, where applicable to your Android version.
INTERNET: Used to communicate with online services used by the App, including advertising and analytics services.
ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Used to determine network availability.
RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED: Used where required for supported background messaging-related functionality.
WAKE_LOCK: Used where required to support certain background operations.
VIBRATE: Used to provide vibration feedback or message notifications.
USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT: Used only where required for supported notification functionality.
FOREGROUND_SERVICE: Used where required for supported foreground operations.
The exact permissions requested may vary depending on Android version and the features included in the App.
We do not request permissions unrelated to the App's functionality.
5. STORAGE OF MESSAGES AND PERSONAL CONTENT
SMS and MMS messages are primarily managed through the Android operating system and the device's local storage mechanisms.
The App does not sell your SMS messages, contacts, or personal media.
Unless specifically stated in the App, we do not operate a service that stores your personal SMS conversations or personal media content on our own servers for advertising or commercial purposes.
6. ADVERTISING
The App may display advertisements provided by third-party advertising providers, including Google AdMob.
Advertising providers may process certain device, advertising, and usage information to provide, measure, and improve advertisements.
Where required by applicable law, consent choices may be presented to you through the applicable consent mechanism.
For more information about Google's privacy practices, please review Google's privacy documentation.
7. ANALYTICS AND CRASH REPORTING
We may use third-party services such as Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics to understand application usage, diagnose crashes, and improve stability.
These services may process technical information such as application version, device information, operating system information, crash information, and usage-related information.
These services do not require us to use the content of your SMS conversations for analytics.
8. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
The App may use third-party services to support advertising, analytics, crash reporting, and other technical functionality.
Depending on the version of the App, these services may include:
• Google Play Services
• Google AdMob
• Google Analytics for Firebase
• Firebase Crashlytics
Third-party providers process information according to their own privacy policies.
Google Privacy Policy:
https://policies.google.com/privacy
Google AdMob:
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543
Firebase Privacy:
https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
9. INFORMATION SHARING
We do not sell your personal information or SMS message content.
We may disclose limited information to service providers when necessary to:
• Provide application functionality
• Deliver advertisements
• Analyze application performance
• Diagnose crashes and technical problems
• Protect the security of the App
• Comply with applicable laws or legal processes
Service providers are permitted to process information for the purposes for which it is provided and subject to their applicable terms and privacy requirements.
10. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
We may disclose information when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:
• Comply with a legal obligation
• Respond to a valid legal request
• Protect our rights or property
• Detect or prevent fraud or abuse
• Protect the safety of users or the public
• Address security or technical issues
11. DATA SECURITY
We take reasonable measures to protect information processed by the App.
However, no method of electronic storage or transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee absolute security of information.
12. DATA RETENTION
We retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy or as required by applicable law.
SMS and MMS content managed by the App may remain on your device according to Android's messaging and storage behavior and your actions.
You can delete messages and other locally stored content using the functionality provided by the App or your Android device.
13. YOUR CHOICES
You can control the App's access to certain information through Android's permission settings.
You may:
• Grant or deny permissions when requested
• Change permissions through Android Settings
• Change your default SMS application
• Delete messages from your device
• Disable or limit advertising personalization where supported by your device or Google settings
• Uninstall the App at any time
Some features may not function correctly if the permissions required for those features are denied.
14. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
The App is not directed toward children under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our own services.
If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so that we can review the matter and take appropriate action where required.
15. LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES
The App may contain links to third-party websites or services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those services before providing information to them.
16. INTERNATIONAL DATA PROCESSING
Some third-party service providers used by the App may process information on servers located in countries other than your country of residence.
Where applicable, information may therefore be processed internationally in accordance with the provider's privacy policy and applicable data-protection requirements.
17. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
When changes are made, we will update the Effective Date shown at the beginning of this Privacy Policy. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice through the App or another appropriate method.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
18. CONTACT US - phototools2023@gmail.com