Your Privacy Matters

1. Who We Are

ChatGuard ("we", "our", "us") is an Android application developed and published by LinksGroups Engine. The app package name is com.linksgroups.chatguard. Our contact email is info@linksgroups.com.

This Privacy Policy explains how ChatGuard handles information when you use our mobile application ("the App"). By installing or using the App, you agree to this policy.

2. What Data We Collect

ChatGuard collects only the minimum data needed to deliver its features, and processes that data entirely on your device.

2.1 Notification Content (Local Only)

When you grant Notification Listener access, ChatGuard reads incoming notifications from the messaging apps you choose to monitor. This includes:

• The name or identifier of the app that sent the notification
• The sender name shown in the notification
• The message text shown in the notification
• The timestamp of the notification

This data is stored in a local SQLite database on your device only. It is never transmitted to our servers or any third party.

2.2 Media Files (Local Only)

When you enable media backup, ChatGuard copies image, video, audio, and document files shared in messaging apps to a local folder on your device. These files are not uploaded anywhere.

2.3 App Settings & Preferences

Your in-app preferences (enabled apps, keyword alerts, theme, subscription status) are stored locally using Android SharedPreferences or a local database. These are not synced to any server.

2.4 Anonymous Crash Reports

If the App crashes, Firebase Crashlytics may collect an anonymous crash report containing device model, Android version, app version, and a stack trace. This report contains no personally identifiable information (PII) and no message content.

2.5 Anonymous Analytics

Firebase Analytics may collect anonymised usage events (e.g. screen views, feature usage counts) to help us understand how features are used. No message content or personal data is included.

3. What Data We Do NOT Collect

We want to be explicit about what ChatGuard never does:

• We do not upload your messages, notification content, or media to our servers
• We do not require an account, email address, or phone number to use the App
• We do not access your contacts, call logs, SMS, or location
• We do not read the content of messaging apps directly (we only read notifications)
• We do not sell, rent, or share any data with third-party advertisers for targeting purposes
• We do not use cookies (the App is not a website)

4. How We Use Data

The data described in Section 2 is used solely for the following purposes:

• Notification content — to display your captured messages in the app and power the search, filter, and export features
• Media files — to show your backed-up media in the in-app gallery
• Crash reports — to identify and fix bugs so the App is stable
• Analytics — to understand which features are used so we can improve the App

We do not use any data for profiling, advertising targeting, or any purpose not listed above.

5. Notification Listener Permission

ChatGuard's core feature requires the Notification Listener permission (BIND_NOTIFICATION_LISTENER_SERVICE). This is a sensitive Android permission that allows the App to read the content of notifications from other apps.

We use this permission only to read notifications from the messaging apps you explicitly select in the App. The permission is never used to:

• Read notifications from apps you have not selected
• Transmit notification content off your device
• Track your usage of other applications

You can revoke this permission at any time in Android Settings → Apps → Special App Access → Notification Access. Revoking the permission will stop message capture but will not delete previously captured data.

6. Storage Permission

ChatGuard requests storage permissions to read media files shared in messaging apps and to save backed-up media to your device's storage. On Android 13 and above, we use the granular media permissions (READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, READ_MEDIA_VIDEO, READ_MEDIA_AUDIO) rather than broad storage access.

We do not access, read, or transmit any files outside of the media directories used by the messaging apps you monitor.

7. Third-Party Services

ChatGuard integrates with the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy.

7.1 Firebase (Google LLC)

We use Firebase Crashlytics (crash reporting) and Firebase Analytics (anonymous usage analytics). Google may process anonymous technical data on servers in the United States and other countries. See Firebase Privacy.

7.2 Google AdMob

The free tier of ChatGuard displays ads served by Google AdMob. AdMob may use device advertising identifiers to serve relevant ads. You can opt out of personalised ads in your device's Google settings. See Google Privacy Policy.

7.3 Google Play Billing

Premium subscriptions are processed through Google Play Billing. We do not receive or store your payment card details. See Google Payments Privacy Notice.

8. Advertising

The free version of ChatGuard shows banner and interstitial advertisements provided by Google AdMob. These ads may use your device's advertising ID to show relevant advertisements. ChatGuard Premium subscribers see no advertisements.

You can reset or opt out of ad personalisation at any time via Android Settings → Google → Ads.

9. Children's Privacy

ChatGuard is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect any personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at info@linksgroups.com and we will take steps to delete such information.

10. Data Retention & Deletion

All message history, media files, and settings are stored locally on your device. You are in full control:

• Delete individual messages — tap and hold any message in the App
• Clear all history — go to Settings → Clear All Data
• Uninstall — uninstalling the App removes the local database from your device

Anonymous crash reports and analytics data held by Firebase are retained according to Google's standard Firebase data retention schedule (90 days for analytics, 90 days for crash reports). You can request deletion of Firebase data by contacting us.

11. Security

ChatGuard takes reasonable steps to protect your locally stored data:

• The local database is stored in the App's private data directory, inaccessible to other apps (without root)
• The App targets modern Android security standards including scoped storage
• We regularly review our code for security vulnerabilities

Since your data does not leave your device, it is not subject to transmission interception risks. However, no security measure is perfect — please keep your device secure with a screen lock.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you within the App. Continued use of ChatGuard after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

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

• Email: info@linksgroups.com
• Developer: LinksGroups Engine
• App: ChatGuard (com.linksgroups.chatguard)

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 5 business days.