Privacy Policy for Status Vault

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how TechGimmicks ("we", "us", or "our") handles information in connection with the Status Vault mobile application for Android (the "Application" or "App", package identifier com.techgimmicks.statusvault).

By downloading, installing, or using Status Vault, you acknowledge and agree to the practices outlined in this policy. If you do not agree with any part of this document, please discontinue use of the Application.

2. Local Processing & Media Privacy

Status Vault is an offline-capable utility designed to preview and save temporary media updates to your device gallery.

• No Cloud Storage or Remote Uploads: Status Vault does NOT collect, upload, store, or transmit your viewed, downloaded, or shared media (images or videos) to any external server, cloud bucket, or database.
• Scoped Storage (SAF) Compliance: We comply strictly with Google Play Scoped Storage policies and Android 11+ (API 30–35+) security standards. The app does not request or use broad, dangerous permissions such as MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, or WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE.
• User-Controlled Access: Status Vault only reads the specific folder you explicitly select via the system Storage Access Framework picker (ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT_TREE). You may revoke or reset this permission at any moment inside the app settings.
• Standard MediaStore API: When saving an image or video, the app uses Android's public MediaStore API to save the file directly to your device's standard Pictures/StatusVault or Movies/StatusVault directories.

3. Information Collected via Third-Party Services (Advertising)

To provide Status Vault as a free utility, we display non-intrusive advertisements provided by Google AdMob (Google Mobile Ads SDK).

While TechGimmicks does not directly collect or store your personal identifiers, the Google Mobile Ads SDK and its certified advertising technology partners may automatically collect certain diagnostic and non-personally identifiable technical information, including:

• Advertising Identifiers: Google Advertising ID (GAID) or similar device advertising identifiers (which you can reset in your Android system settings).
• Device & Network Information: Device model, manufacturer, operating system version, mobile carrier, network type (Wi-Fi or cellular), and screen resolution.
• Location Information: Coarse, general geographical location (e.g., country or city level derived from IP address) used to deliver relevant local ads. Status Vault never requests or uses precise GPS location.
• Diagnostic & Telemetry Data: Ad display metrics, click interactions, crash reports, and performance latency logs to prevent fraudulent traffic and optimize ad delivery.

For further information on how Google processes ad data, please review:

• Google Privacy & Terms
• How Google uses information from sites or apps that use their services
• Google Certified Ad Technology Providers

4. European Regulations (GDPR & UK GDPR) & UMP Consent

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK Data Protection Act grant you specific rights regarding your personal data.

Our Legal Bases for Processing

We rely on the following legal bases under GDPR Article 6:

• Consent: For personalized advertising and device identifier tracking, we ask for your explicit, informed consent via Google's certified User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK.
• Legitimate Interests: For app security, crash diagnostics, and non-personalized advertising necessary to sustain the app.

IAB Europe TCF v2.2 Certified Consent

Status Vault integrates Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK, certified under the IAB Europe Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF v2.2). On first launch in covered territories, you are presented with clear choices to Consent, Do not consent, or Manage options.

How to Revoke or Change Your Consent Choices

You have the unconditional right to modify or withdraw your consent at any time. Inside Status Vault:

1. Open the Status Vault app on your Android device.
2. Tap the three dots menu (⋮) in the top right corner.
3. Select Privacy Choices (or open About • Consent & Privacy Choices).
4. Update your preferences and save. Your settings take effect immediately.

5. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA / CPRA)

For California residents, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) provides specific privacy rights:

• Right to Know / Access: You may request disclosure of what personal information categories have been collected.
• Right to Delete: You may request the deletion of personal information held by us or our partners.
• No Sale of Personal Information: TechGimmicks does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information for monetary value.
• Non-Discrimination: We will never discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

6. Children's Online Privacy Protection (COPPA)

Status Vault is a general audience utility and is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Union). We do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately so we can take appropriate steps to purge such information.

7. Data Retention & Security

Because Status Vault processes media locally, all saved statuses remain solely on your device storage for as long as you choose to keep them. We do not operate databases or servers retaining user files. Third-party advertising partners retain diagnostic telemetry only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in their respective privacy notices.

8. Mandatory Legal & Trademark Disclaimer

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our legal requirements, app features, or operational practices. Any updates will be published directly to this page with an updated "Effective Date". We encourage you to review this page periodically.

10. Contact Us

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

• Developer: TechGimmicks
• Email: techgimmicks.apps@gmail.com
• Application: Status Vault (com.techgimmicks.statusvault)
• Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.techgimmicks.statusvault
• Website: https://status-vault-3cd55.web.app