1. Who We Are
Device Footprints ("we", "us", "our") is a GPS location and app-usage tracking platform that lets a manager or organiser (a "Reviewer") organise members into a group hierarchy and view their devices' location and app-usage activity.
This Privacy Policy applies to the Device Footprints mobile application, website, and related services unless a separate policy is provided for a specific service.
2. Data We Collect
We collect the data reasonably necessary to provide the service. Depending on how Device Footprints is used, this may include:
- Account information: phone number and/or email address, OTP verification details, name, and account identifiers.
- Group and hierarchy information: group codes, join codes, node/team names, and the reviewer/member/device-account structure of your organisation.
- Precise location data: GPS coordinates and timestamps collected in the background from a tracked member's device, according to the tracking schedule configured by the reviewer.
- App usage information: which apps are opened, when, and for how long on a tracked device, collected via Android's UsageStatsManager API, used to build screen-time reports, timelines, and anomaly alerts.
- Device and technical information: device type, Android OS version, app version, crash information, diagnostics, log data, and permission status (Location, Battery Optimisation, App Usage Access).
- Notification data: in-app notification records such as join requests, leave requests, and their outcomes.
We do not:
- collect payment card details, bank account numbers, or digital payment credentials;
- read the content of messages, calls, photos, or files on a tracked device;
- collect location or app-usage data from a device unless tracking has been configured for that member and the relevant Android permissions have been granted on that device.
3. How We Use Your Data
We use data only for legitimate service purposes, including to:
- verify identity via OTP-based login;
- display live locations, route replay, and idle-stop detection to a reviewer for members in their group;
- build screen-time summaries, app-usage timelines, and anomaly alerts;
- maintain group hierarchy, roles (Tracked, Reviewer, Admin), and tracking-schedule settings;
- show permission-health status so reviewers can see which members are missing required permissions;
- send OTP codes and service notifications by WhatsApp, SMS, or email;
- troubleshoot issues, prevent abuse, and improve reliability and performance;
- comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.
Where required by applicable law, we rely on valid legal bases such as consent, performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, and legitimate interests such as service security and fraud prevention.
4. Monitoring & Consent — Notice to Tracked Members
Device Footprints is designed to be used transparently. Location and app-usage tracking on a device only begins after the required Android permissions (Location "Always", Battery Optimisation exemption, and App Usage Access) are explicitly granted on that device.
Reviewer responsibility: the reviewer or organisation that invites a member into a Device Footprints group is responsible for obtaining any consent, notice, or authorisation required under applicable local, employment, or family law before enabling tracking on that person's device.
Tracked members can see, in the app, which permissions are active and can revoke location or usage-access permissions at any time through their device settings, which will stop further data collection for that device going forward.
5. Data Sharing
We do not sell personal data. We may share information only in limited circumstances reasonably necessary to operate the service:
- Within your group: a member's location, app-usage, and permission-status data is visible to reviewers and admins within their own group hierarchy, not to other groups.
- Service providers and infrastructure partners: hosting, database, messaging (WhatsApp Business API, SMS, email/SMTP), and similar providers may process data on our behalf to deliver the service.
- Legal and safety disclosures: data may be disclosed where required by law, court order, or regulation, or where reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety, and the service.
- Business transfers: data may be transferred in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, or sale of business assets, subject to applicable safeguards.
6. Data Storage, Security, and International Transfers
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational measures intended to protect personal information, including encrypted connections in transit and access controls restricting backend systems to authorised services and personnel.
GPS and app-usage data may also be buffered locally on a tracked device (for offline resilience) before syncing to our servers once connectivity is restored.
If you access Device Footprints from the UK, European Economic Area, or another country with data-protection laws, your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in countries where our infrastructure providers are located, using appropriate safeguards where required by applicable law. No system can guarantee absolute security.
7. Data Retention
- account data is retained for the life of the account or as needed to support the service;
- location history and app-usage records are retained to support route replay, screen-time reports, and historical analytics, and may be reviewed or deleted by the group's admin;
- if account or group deletion is requested, some records may still be retained where reasonably necessary for legal, security, or dispute-resolution purposes.
8. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on the country or region where you use Device Footprints, including under UK GDPR, EU GDPR, or similar privacy laws where relevant, you may have the right to:
- access a copy of certain personal information we hold about you;
- correct or update your details;
- request deletion of your account or removal from a group, subject to record-retention limits;
- revoke Location, Battery Optimisation, or App Usage Access permissions at any time via device settings, stopping further collection;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, without affecting earlier lawful processing;
- raise a concern with a relevant data-protection authority where you have that right under local law.
These rights are not absolute and may be subject to identity verification, legal exceptions, and the reviewer's administrative role over group data.
9. Children's Privacy
Device Footprints is intended to be set up and administered by an adult reviewer (for example, a parent, guardian, or employer). It is not intended for a child to create or administer an account independently where consent is required by law.
If you believe a child's personal information has been provided improperly, please contact us so the matter can be reviewed.
10. Permissions We Request
The Android app requests the following permissions, each explained in-app before it is requested:
- Location (Always): required for background GPS tracking, even when the screen is off or the app is closed.
- Battery Optimisation exemption: prevents Android from stopping the background tracking service to save power.
- App Usage Access: required to read app open/close events for screen-time and usage-timeline reporting.
- Notifications: used to keep the background service running and to alert users of group activity.
11. Third-Party Services
Device Footprints integrates with third-party services such as hosting and database providers, the WhatsApp Business API, SMS gateways, and email/SMTP providers, used to deliver OTP codes and notifications. Those third parties have their own privacy practices, and users should review their policies where relevant.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date above and publish the updated version on this page.
For privacy-related questions or requests, please contact us at hello@devicefootprints.com.
Device Footprints is a product owned and operated by Simplified Loader - FZCO — see bazaarbills.com for further company details.