Privacy Policy — AD Defender

1. Overview

AD Defender ("the App," "we," "us," or "our") is an Android application that filters advertisements, trackers, and malicious domains at the network level using a local, on-device filter. This Privacy Policy explains what information the App collects, how it is used, and the choices available to you.

By installing or using AD Defender, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

2. What We Don't Collect

This section exists because it's the most important part of this policy.

We do not see your browsing history or DNS queries. AD Defender's filtering engine runs entirely on your device without server. Domain names are checked against filter lists on your phone — never uploaded to us or to any server we control.
We do not operate a remote filtering or logging server. Unlike some vpn-based apps that route your traffic through a company-operated server, AD Defender terminates locally on your own device. Non-blocked DNS queries are forwarded directly to your device's own network DNS server (your carrier or Wi-Fi router) — the same one your phone would use with no VPN app installed at all.
We do not sell your data. We have no advertising business, and we do not share your information with data brokers or advertisers.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide

AD Defender does not require account registration, sign-in, name, email address, or any other personal identifier to use its core ad- and tracker-filtering features.

If you choose to contact us for support (e.g. by email), we will receive whatever information you choose to include in that message, such as your email address and the content of your message.

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

Category	Examples	Purpose
App usage events	Protection turned on/off, paywall screen viewed, subscription started	Understand feature usage and improve the App
Crash and diagnostic data	Crash logs, stack traces, device model, OS version, app version	Identify and fix bugs and stability issues
Subscription and purchase data	Product ID purchased, transaction ID, price, currency, subscription status	Process purchases, manage entitlements, provide customer support
Aggregate filtering statistics	Count of ads/trackers filtered, estimated data saved	Displayed to you in the App; stored only locally on your device

Aggregate filtering statistics (how many requests were filtered, how much data was saved) are calculated and stored only on your own device and are not transmitted to us.

3.3 Information We Do Not Access

The content of your web browsing or in-app activity
Your precise or approximate location
Your contacts, photos, files, or other personal media
Messages, calls, or other communications on your device

4. How We Use Information

We use the limited information described above to:

Operate, maintain, and improve the App's features and performance
Diagnose and fix crashes, bugs, and technical issues
Process subscription purchases and verify entitlement to premium features
Understand aggregate, anonymized usage trends (e.g. how many users enable a given feature)
Respond to support requests you send us
Comply with legal obligations where applicable

5. Third-Party Services

AD Defender uses a small number of well-established third-party services to operate core non-filtering functionality (analytics, crash reporting, and subscription billing). These providers process data on our behalf under their own privacy and security commitments. We do not use any third-party advertising SDK, and no third party is involved in the actual ad/tracker filtering process itself, which happens entirely on your device.

5.1 Firebase Analytics (Google)

Usage analytics
We use Firebase Analytics to understand aggregate, anonymized feature usage — for example, how many users enable protection, view the subscription screen, or complete a purchase. This does not include the domains you visit or content of your browsing. See Google's Privacy Policy.

5.2 Firebase Crashlytics (Google)

Crash reporting
If the App crashes or encounters an error, Crashlytics collects a crash report containing the stack trace, device model, operating system version, and app version, to help us identify and fix the issue. See Google's Privacy Policy.

5.3 Firebase Remote Config (Google)

App configuration
Used to remotely check for available app updates and deliver minor configuration values. This does not involve personal data beyond your app version number.

5.4 RevenueCat

Subscription billing
We use RevenueCat to manage subscription purchases made through Google Play, including verifying active entitlements and processing purchase restoration. RevenueCat receives purchase and transaction data from Google Play on our behalf (product ID, transaction ID, price, currency, and subscription status). RevenueCat does not receive your name, email, or payment card details — those are handled directly by Google Play. See RevenueCat's Privacy Policy.

5.5 Google Play Billing

Payment processing
All subscription payments are processed directly by Google Play. We never see or store your payment card number or full billing details. See Google's Privacy Policy.

6. App Permissions Explained

Permission	Why AD Defender needs it
`BIND_VPN_SERVICE`	Required to create the offline on-device vpn tunnel that filters ads and trackers. This is on-device filter, not a remote proxy or vpn server — your traffic is not routed through any server we operate.
`FOREGROUND_SERVICE` / `FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE`	Required by Android for any app running a continuous background service to filter AD realtime, so the system (and you) always know it's active.
`ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`	Used to detect your device's own current network DNS servers, so non-blocked traffic can be forwarded to them directly rather than to a third-party resolver.
`POST_NOTIFICATIONS`	Required to show the persistent "Protection Active" notification that Android mandates for any running foreground service.
`RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`	Allows protection to automatically resume after your device restarts, if you've enabled that option in Settings.

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited information only in these circumstances:

Service providers: With the third parties listed in Section 5, solely to provide the functionality described above.
Legal requirements: If required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable governmental request.
Protection of rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of AD Defender, our users, or the public, where permitted by law.
Business transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this policy or a materially similar one.

8. Data Retention

Aggregate filtering statistics are stored locally on your device only and are deleted when you uninstall the App or clear its data. Analytics and crash data collected via Firebase are retained by Google according to Firebase's default retention settings (generally up to 14 months for analytics data). Subscription and transaction records are retained by RevenueCat and Google Play in accordance with standard financial record-keeping requirements.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Disable analytics: You may reset or limit ad personalization and analytics identifiers through your device's Android Settings under Google > Ads.
Uninstall: Uninstalling the App removes all locally stored data, including filtering statistics and preferences.
Access and deletion requests: Depending on your location, you may have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information. Contact us using the details in Section 14 to make such a request.
Restore purchases: You can view and manage your subscription anytime via Google Play > Menu > Subscriptions.

11. Children's Privacy

AD Defender is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

12. International Users

The third-party services described in Section 5 may process and store information on servers located outside your country of residence, including in the United States. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of information to these countries, which may have data protection laws different from those of your country.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page when changes are made. Material changes will be communicated through the App or the Play Store listing where required.

14. Contact Us

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

📧 Email: global-mobile-001@proton.me