# Privacy Policy for Direct Message

**Effective date:** September 24, 2026

Direct Message ("the app," "we," "us," or "our") helps users start a WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business conversation without first saving a phone number. This Privacy Policy explains what information the app handles, how third-party advertising works, and the choices available to users.

## Information you provide

The app lets you enter a phone number and an optional message. This information is used only to create the WhatsApp launch request you initiate. It remains in the current screen state while you use the app, and Android may temporarily preserve that screen state when recreating the app after a configuration change or process interruption. The app does not upload this content to our servers, create an account, maintain a contact database, or deliberately store your phone number or message in app preferences or a database. When you choose to open WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business, the phone number and message are transferred to that app, and their handling is governed by WhatsApp's own terms and privacy policy.

## Information stored on your device

The app stores your language and light/dark theme preferences locally using Android preferences. Depending on your Android device and Google backup settings, Android may include these preferences in encrypted device backup or device-to-device transfer. The app does not store your entered phone number or message in its preferences.

## App and device checks

The app checks whether WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business are installed so it can enable the appropriate action buttons. The result is used locally and is not sent to our servers.

## Advertising and third-party data processing

The app uses Google Mobile Ads SDK (AdMob) to display adaptive banner ads and App Open ads. Google and its advertising partners may automatically process information such as:

- device and advertising identifiers;

- IP address and approximate location derived from it;

- ad impressions, clicks, and other ad interaction data;

- device, operating-system, app, and network information; and

- diagnostics, performance data, and fraud-prevention signals.

Google may use this information to provide, measure, personalize, secure, and improve advertising, subject to the user's settings, consent choices, and applicable law. Google acts independently for portions of this processing. For more information, review [How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services](https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites) and [Google's Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy).

The current app configuration uses Google's official test ad identifiers. Before public distribution, production identifiers may replace them; the categories of advertising data described above remain applicable.

## Permissions

The app does not request access to contacts, SMS, call logs, precise location, camera, microphone, photos, or files. Network-related permissions required by the Google Mobile Ads SDK may be merged into the installed app so advertisements can be requested and delivered.

## Data sharing

We do not operate a backend server and do not sell personal information collected by the app. Information is shared only when:

- you direct the app to pass a phone number and optional message to WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business; or

- Google Mobile Ads and its advertising partners process advertising and diagnostics information as described above.

## Data retention and deletion

We do not retain phone numbers or messages on our servers because the app does not send them to us. Theme and language preferences remain on the device until you clear the app's data or uninstall the app, subject to Android backup and restore behavior. Advertising-data retention is controlled by Google and its partners under their own policies. You may reset or delete the app's local data through Android Settings.

## Security

The app minimizes data handling by processing user-entered content locally and by not operating a backend database. No method of electronic processing is completely secure, and third-party apps and services apply their own security practices.

## Children's privacy

The app is a general-audience utility and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Advertising may be subject to age-related treatment and consent requirements based on the distribution region and store configuration.

## International processing

Google and its advertising partners may process information in countries other than the country where the user resides. Their privacy notices describe the safeguards and legal bases they use for international processing.

## Your choices and rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, or object to certain processing, or to withdraw consent. Because we do not receive or store phone numbers and messages, we cannot retrieve those entries. Advertising choices can be managed through device privacy and ad settings, Google settings, and any consent controls presented in the app or by Google. You may also stop all app processing by clearing app data or uninstalling the app.

## Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when the app, advertising configuration, legal requirements, or third-party services change. The revised policy will show a new effective date.

## Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact:

**Email:** [thegsmwork@gmail.com]