Privacy Policy

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to Step Counter - Pedometer ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how our app operates. This Privacy Policy explains what data our app collects, how it is used, stored, and protected.

Step Counter - Pedometer is a free fitness tracking application designed to help you monitor your daily steps, calories burned, walking distance, water intake, and activity goals — with smart notifications, progress reports, and gamification features — all without compromising your privacy.

By using our app, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information Collection and Use

1. Data Collected Locally on Your Device

Our app stores the following information ONLY on your device using local storage (SharedPreferences). This data NEVER leaves your device and is NOT transmitted to our servers or any third parties:

A. Fitness Data (Activity Recognition)

Daily step counts - Number of steps taken each day
Step history - Historical step data for up to 365 days
Calories burned - Calculated based on your steps and profile
Distance traveled - Calculated based on your steps and stride length
Active time - Duration of your walking/running activity
Goal achievement status - Whether you reached your daily goals
Hourly step breakdown - Steps per hour of the day (used for activity distribution charts)
Water intake logs - Daily cup count reset every day at midnight
XP points and level progress - Calculated from total steps, goals reached, and streak length (stored locally, never transmitted)

Purpose: To provide you with accurate fitness tracking and progress monitoring.

Legal Basis: Your consent (granted when you allow Activity Recognition permission).

B. Personal Profile Information (Optional)

Height (in centimeters) - Default: 170 cm
Weight (in kilograms) - Default: 70 kg
Gender (Male/Female/Other) - Default: Other
BMI result - Calculated automatically from height and weight for display only; never transmitted

Purpose: To calculate accurate calorie burn and distance based on your physical characteristics.

Note: This information is optional. You can use the app with default values. This data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted anywhere.

C. App Preferences and Settings

Daily step goal (Default: 10,000 steps)
Distance unit preference (Kilometers or Miles)
Theme preference (Light/Dark/Auto)
Sensor calibration data - Initial sensor values for accurate counting
Calorie burn goal (daily kcal target, default: 300 kcal)
Calorie sensitivity setting (Low / Normal / High multiplier)
Water intake goal (default: 8 cups per day)
Sleep hours window (start time, end time, enabled flag — default 10 PM–8 AM)
Dark mode auto-schedule (start time, end time, enabled flag)
Custom goal presets (up to 5 named step-goal presets, e.g., "Rest Day")
Gamification tokens (Streak Recovery Grace Day tokens — max 3)
Notification preferences — Step Reminder time, End-of-Day Summary time, Morning Briefing time, inactivity alert interval (30/60/90 min), weekly/monthly report toggles
Last checked steps — Used internally by the Inactivity Alert to detect periods of no movement

Purpose: To customize your app experience and maintain consistent settings.

2. Sensor Data (Real-Time Processing)

Our app accesses your device's built-in step counter sensor (accelerometer) to detect and count your steps. This sensor data is:

✅ Processed in real-time on your device only
✅ Used immediately for step counting calculations
✅ NOT stored in raw form
✅ NOT transmitted to any servers
✅ NOT shared with third parties

Permission Required: ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION (Android 10+)

Purpose: To accurately count your steps as you walk or run.

3. Data We DO NOT Collect

We want to be clear about what we DO NOT collect:

❌ No Personal Identification Information - No name, email, phone number, or address
❌ No Location Data - No GPS tracking, no location history
❌ No Internet Activity - No browsing history or app usage outside our app
❌ No Contact Information - No access to your contacts or call logs
❌ No Photos or Media - No access to your camera, photos, or media files
❌ No Financial Information - No payment details or banking information
❌ No Device Identifiers - No IMEI, MAC address, or advertising IDs
❌ No Biometric Data - No fingerprints, face data, or other biometrics
❌ No Audio or Voice - No microphone access
❌ No Messages - No access to SMS or email
❌ No Social Media Data - No connection to social media accounts

Permissions Explained

Our app requests the following permissions, and here's exactly why:

Required Permissions:

1. ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION

Why: To access the step counter sensor and count your steps.

What it does: Allows the app to read data from your device's accelerometer to detect walking motion.

What it doesn't do: Does NOT track your location or send data anywhere.

2. FOREGROUND_SERVICE & FOREGROUND_SERVICE_HEALTH

Why: To count steps continuously while the app runs in the background.

What it does: Keeps the step counter active even when you're not actively using the app.

What it doesn't do: Does NOT access any data beyond step counting.

3. POST_NOTIFICATIONS

Why: To show you the step count notification while tracking is active.

What it does: Displays a persistent notification showing your current step count.

What it doesn't do: Does NOT send push notifications or advertisements.

4. RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED

Why: To automatically restart notification alarms after your device restarts.

What it does: When your phone reboots, Android cancels all scheduled alarms. This permission allows the app to reschedule your chosen notifications (step reminders, sitting alerts, end-of-day summaries) automatically after a reboot so you don't lose your settings.

What it doesn't do: Does NOT access any of your data or transmit anything.

5. SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM

Why: To deliver notifications at the exact time you configured.

What it does: Allows alarms (inactivity alerts, daily reminders) to fire at a precise scheduled time even when the device is in battery-saving (Doze) mode.

What it doesn't do: Does NOT collect or share any data.

Permissions NOT Requested:

❌ Internet Access - We don't need internet; the app works completely offline
❌ Location/GPS - We don't track your location
❌ Camera - We don't access your camera
❌ Microphone - We don't record audio
❌ Contacts - We don't access your contacts
❌ Storage - We only use app-specific storage (no access to your files)

How We Use Your Data

All data collected by our app is used exclusively for the following purposes:

1. Core Functionality

Step Counting: To track and display your daily steps accurately
Progress Tracking: To show your historical data and trends
Goal Setting: To help you set and achieve personalized fitness goals
Statistics: To calculate and display your fitness metrics (calories, distance, time)
Smart Notifications: To send you timely reminders, sitting alerts, daily summaries, and weekly/monthly progress reports at your chosen times
Water Intake Tracking: To display your daily hydration progress and goal completion
Gamification: To calculate XP points, level progress, streak milestones, and grace tokens based on your activity

2. App Personalization

Theme Preferences: To remember your chosen theme (Light/Dark/Auto)
Unit Preferences: To display distance in your preferred unit (km/miles)
User Profile: To calculate accurate calorie burn based on your height, weight, and gender

3. Data Analysis (Local Only)

Weekly Reports: To show your weekly step trends and averages
Monthly Reports: To display monthly progress and achievements
Lifetime Statistics: To track your total steps, distance, and goals reached

Important: All data processing happens locally on your device. We do not have servers, databases, or any backend infrastructure that collects your data.

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage Only

All your data is stored using Android's secure SharedPreferences system, which:

✅ Stores data in your app's private directory
✅ Cannot be accessed by other apps
✅ Is protected by Android's app sandbox security
✅ Is automatically deleted if you uninstall the app

Data Retention

Historical Data: We store up to 365 days of step history on your device
Settings: Stored until you change them or uninstall the app
Sensor Calibration: Stored until you uninstall the app

Data Deletion

You can delete your data at any time by:

Clear App Data: Settings → Apps → Step Counter → Storage → Clear Data
Uninstall the App: Completely removes all stored data from your device

Note: Since all data is stored locally, we cannot recover your data once deleted.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

We Do NOT Share Your Data

Your privacy is our top priority. We want to be crystal clear:

❌ We do NOT sell your personal data
❌ We do NOT share your data with advertisers
❌ We do NOT share your data with analytics companies
❌ We do NOT share your data with marketing platforms
❌ We do NOT transmit your data to any servers
❌ We do NOT share your data with social media platforms
❌ We do NOT have any third-party SDKs that collect data

User-Initiated Sharing (Share Progress feature): The app provides an optional "Share Progress" button that lets you voluntarily share your today's stats (steps, distance, calories) with external apps such as WhatsApp or Instagram via Android's built-in share sheet. This action is 100% user-initiated and optional. The app does not automatically or silently share any data. We have no control over the external app you choose to share with — please review their privacy policies.

No Third-Party Services

Our app does NOT use:

❌ Google Analytics or Firebase Analytics
❌ Facebook SDK or Meta Pixel
❌ Advertising networks (AdMob, Facebook Ads, etc.)
❌ Crash reporting services
❌ Cloud storage or backup services
❌ Social media integrations
❌ Payment processors (the app is 100% free)

No Internet Connection Required

Our app works completely offline. It does not require an internet connection and does not transmit any data over the internet.

Children's Privacy

Our app does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13.

However, since our app:

Does NOT collect personal information
Does NOT require account creation
Does NOT connect to the internet
Stores all data locally on the device

The app can be safely used by children under parental supervision for fitness tracking purposes.

If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has used our app, please note that no personal data has been collected or transmitted.

Google Play Store Data Safety Requirements

In compliance with Google Play Store's Data Safety section requirements, here is our disclosure:

Data Collection Summary:

*Health & Fitness data (step counts, calories, distance) is stored ONLY on your device and is NEVER shared or transmitted.

Data Safety Responses for Google Play Console:

Does your app collect or share any of the required user data types? ✅ Yes - Health and Fitness data

Is all of the user data collected by your app encrypted in transit? ✅ N/A - Data is not transmitted (stays on device)

Do you provide a way for users to request that their data is deleted? ✅ Yes - Users can clear app data or uninstall the app

Health and Fitness Data Details:

Data Type: Physical activity (step count)
Collection: Yes (stored locally only)
Sharing: No
Optional or Required: Required for core functionality
Purpose: App functionality
Ephemeral: No (retained for historical tracking)

Your Rights and Choices

You Have the Right To:

1.Access Your Data

◦ All your data is accessible within the app's Statistics and Settings screens

2.Modify Your Data

◦ Update your profile information anytime in Settings

◦ Adjust your goals and preferences as needed

3.Delete Your Data

◦ Method 1: Settings → Apps → Step Counter → Storage → Clear Data

◦ Method 2: Uninstall the app

4.Stop Data Collection

◦ Deny Activity Recognition permission (note: app won't function without it)

◦ Stop the step tracking service

◦ Uninstall the app

5.Export Your Data

◦ You can export all your step history as a CSV file directly from the app: Settings → Export Data as CSV. The file is saved to your device's Downloads folder (Downloads/StepCounter.csv). No data is sent anywhere during export — it is saved only to your device.

Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously, even though it never leaves your device:

Security Measures:

1.App Sandbox Protection

◦ Android's security model prevents other apps from accessing our app's data

2.No Network Transmission

◦ Since we don't transmit data, there's no risk of interception

3.Local Encryption

◦ Android encrypts app data when device encryption is enabled

4.No Cloud Storage

◦ Your data never touches cloud servers

5.No Account System

◦ No usernames, passwords, or authentication data to secure

Your Responsibility:

Keep your device secure with a lock screen password/PIN
Keep your device's operating system updated
Don't root/jailbreak your device (reduces security)
Use Android's device encryption feature

Android Backup

Our app supports Android's Auto Backup feature (android:allowBackup="true"). This means:

✅ Your step data and settings can be backed up to your Google account
✅ Data can be restored when you switch devices
✅ Backup is encrypted by Google
✅ Backup is controlled by your device settings

To disable backup: Settings → Google → Backup → Turn off "Back up to Google Drive"

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app (if applicable)
Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document
Posting updates on our app's Google Play Store listing

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Our privacy policy complies with:

International Standards:

✅ GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation - EU)
✅ CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act - USA)
✅ COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act - USA)
✅ PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection - Canada)
✅ DPA (Data Protection Act - UK)
✅ PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act - Singapore)

Google Play Policies:

✅ User Data Policy
✅ Permissions Policy
✅ Families Policy (if applicable)
✅ Data Safety Section requirements

Android Platform Requirements:

✅ Runtime permissions properly requested
✅ Permission rationale provided
✅ Sensitive permissions clearly explained

Google Play Data Safety Disclosure

For transparency, here is the exact information declared in our Google Play Store Data Safety section:

Data Collection: YES

What we collect:

Health & Fitness data (step counts, calories, distance)
App preferences (goals, units, theme)
User profile (height, weight, gender - optional)

How it's used:

App functionality only
Stored locally on your device
Never shared or transmitted

Can users request deletion: YES

Clear app data from device settings
Uninstall the app

Data Sharing: NO

We do NOT share any data with third parties.

Security:

Is data encrypted in transit?

Not applicable - Data is not transmitted

Is data encrypted at rest?

Data uses Android's standard app storage security
Encrypted if device encryption is enabled

Third-Party Services

Our app does NOT integrate with any third-party services, including:

❌ Analytics services (Google Analytics, Firebase, Mixpanel, etc.)
❌ Advertising networks (AdMob, Facebook Audience Network, etc.)
❌ Crash reporting (Crashlytics, Sentry, etc.)
❌ Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
❌ Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
❌ Authentication services (Google Sign-In, Facebook Login, etc.)
❌ Payment processors (no in-app purchases)

Note: We use the following open-source libraries for app functionality only (no data collection):

AndroidX libraries (Google) - UI components
MPAndroidChart (PhilJay) - Chart visualization
Gson (Google) - Local data serialization
Kotlin Coroutines - Asynchronous operations

These libraries operate locally and do not transmit data.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our app does NOT use:

❌ Cookies
❌ Web beacons
❌ Tracking pixels
❌ Advertising IDs
❌ Device fingerprinting
❌ Session tracking
❌ Analytics tracking

International Data Transfers

Since all data is stored locally on your device and NEVER transmitted over the internet, there are:

❌ No cross-border data transfers
❌ No data exported to other countries
❌ No data stored on international servers

Your data stays in your country, on your device, in your hands.

Your Rights Under GDPR (EU Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights:

1. Right to Access

You can view all your data within the app's Statistics and Settings screens.

2. Right to Rectification

You can modify your profile information and settings at any time.

3. Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

You can delete all your data by clearing app data or uninstalling the app.

4. Right to Restriction of Processing

You can stop data collection by denying permissions or uninstalling the app.

5. Right to Data Portability

You can export your data as a CSV file from Settings → Export Data as CSV. The file is saved locally to your Downloads folder and is never transmitted to any server.

6. Right to Object

You can object to data processing by uninstalling the app.

7. Right to Withdraw Consent

You can revoke the Activity Recognition permission at any time in your device settings.

Data Controller: Hamdaan Studio

Contact: maliha.danish615@gmail.com

Your Rights Under CCPA (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

1. Right to Know

You have the right to know what personal information we collect. As stated above, we only collect fitness data stored locally on your device.

2. Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information. You can do this by clearing app data or uninstalling the app.

3. Right to Opt-Out of Sale

We do NOT sell your personal information to anyone. This right is not applicable as we never sell data.

4. Right to Non-Discrimination

You have the right to not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your CCPA rights.

Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach:

Since all data is stored locally on your device, a breach would only occur if your physical device is compromised
We do not have access to your data, so we cannot experience a server-side breach
If you lose your device, we recommend using Android's "Find My Device" feature and remote wipe capability
Enable device encryption and screen lock for maximum security

We do NOT have any servers or databases that could be breached.

Open Source and Transparency

We believe in transparency. Our app:

Uses standard Android APIs for step counting
Stores data in easily accessible format (JSON in SharedPreferences)
Does not obfuscate or hide data storage mechanisms
Uses open-source libraries with public repositories

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:

App Name: Step Counter - Pedometer

Developer: Hamdaan Studio

Email: maliha.danish615@gmail.com

Response Time: Within 48 hours

For GDPR or CCPA requests, please include "Privacy Request" in your email subject line.

Updates and Notifications

We will notify you of any material changes to this Privacy Policy through:

App update notes on Google Play Store
In-app notification (if applicable)
Updated "Last Updated" date on this document

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Google Play Store Requirements Compliance

This Privacy Policy fulfills all Google Play Store requirements:

✅ Policy Availability

•

Hosted at a publicly accessible URL

•

Accessible from the Google Play Store listing

•

Available in the app (if applicable)

✅ Required Disclosures

Clear statement of what data is collected
Explanation of how data is used
Disclosure of data sharing practices (none in our case)
User rights and choices explained
Contact information provided

✅ Data Safety Section

Accurate declaration of data collection
Transparent about data storage (local only)
Clear about data sharing (none)
Security practices disclosed

✅ Prominent Disclosure

Permissions explained before requesting
Clear purpose for each permission
Transparency about sensor usage

Consent and Agreement

By downloading, installing, and using Step Counter - Pedometer, you:

Acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy
Agree to the collection and use of data as described herein
Understand that all data is stored locally on your device only
Consent to the use of Activity Recognition sensor for step counting
Understand that you can withdraw consent by uninstalling the app

Legal Disclaimers

Accuracy of Step Counting

While we strive for accuracy, step counts are calculated using device sensors and may not be 100% precise. Factors affecting accuracy include:

Device sensor quality
Phone placement (pocket, bag, hand)
Type of movement
Walking surface

Health Information

This app is for informational and fitness tracking purposes only. It is NOT a medical device and should NOT be used for:

Medical diagnosis
Treatment decisions
Emergency situations
Professional health advice

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice.

Calorie Calculations

Calorie burn estimates are based on general formulas and may not be accurate for everyone. Actual calorie burn depends on many factors including metabolism, fitness level, and activity intensity.

Jurisdiction and Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of England and Wales, United Kingdom, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from this Privacy Policy or the app's use shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Summary (TL;DR)

What We Collect:

✅ Step counts, calories, distance (stored locally)

✅ Optional: Height, weight, gender (stored locally)

✅ App settings and preferences (stored locally)

What We Don't Collect:

❌ Personal identification information

❌ Location/GPS data

❌ Photos, contacts, or other personal files

❌ Device identifiers or advertising IDs

Where Data Goes:

✅ Stored ONLY on your device

❌ NEVER sent to servers

❌ NEVER shared with third parties

Your Control:

✅ Delete anytime by clearing app data

✅ No account needed

✅ Works completely offline

✅ 100% privacy guaranteed

Acknowledgment

This Privacy Policy has been created to comply with:

Google Play Store Developer Policy
Android Developer Policy Center guidelines
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)
Industry best practices for mobile app privacy

Document Information

Policy Version: 1.0

Effective Date: March 8, 2026

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

App Version: 1.1

Document Language: English

Contact Information

App Name: Step Counter - Pedometer

Package Name: com.hamdaanstudio.stepcounter

Developer: Hamdaan Studio

Email: maliha.danish615@gmail.com

For privacy-related inquiries, please email us with "Privacy" in the subject line.

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