Introduction
NudgeBuzz is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use the NudgeBuzz mobile application.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Account information — Email address and display name, only if you create an optional account to use Groups & Nudges.
- User content — Channels, schedules, text, images, videos, audio, and links you create within the app. Stored locally on your device.
Automatically Collected
- Device information — Device type and OS version, used for compatibility only.
- Usage data — Notification delivery statistics stored locally on your device. Never sent externally.
Location Data
NudgeBuzz's optional Location Trigger feature reminds you the moment you arrive somewhere you've chosen (e.g. a pharmacy), instead of on a timer. It is off by default and only requests location access if you turn it on for a specific channel; the app explains why before the system permission prompt is shown.
- What we access — With your permission, NudgeBuzz accesses your device's precise (GPS) and approximate location, including in the background ("Allow all the time"), so the reminder can still fire while the app is closed.
- How it's used — Arrival is detected entirely on-device using Android's FusedLocationProvider and GeofencingClient; your live location, and the saved place's coordinates, are never sent to us or any server.
- Place search — When you search for an address or business name to set as a trigger, your search text (not your device location) is sent to OpenStreetMap's Nominatim service to look up matching places.
- Your control — Location Trigger is enabled per channel. You can disable it anytime in that channel's settings, or revoke the permission in Android Settings, without affecting any other feature.
AI-Powered Content
If you use the optional AI Content feature, the topic or instructions you type (e.g. "facts about biology") are sent to Google's Gemini API, using an API key you provide yourself in Settings, to generate content items. No other app data (your channels, saved content, or account information) is included in this request. This feature is off until you add your own API key.
Groups & Nudges
If you choose to use Groups & Nudges, you'll need to sign in with an email/password account. We then collect and store:
- Your email address and display name, to identify you to group admins and members
- Group membership records — which groups you're in, your role, and whether you've accepted or declined an invite
- The content of Nudges sent to or by you (title and message text)
- A push notification token for your device, so nudges can reach you
- A coarse "last active" timestamp, used only to prioritize real-time delivery to members currently using the app
This data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore) and is not shared outside the app. It is used solely to operate the Groups & Nudges feature. Every other feature of NudgeBuzz continues to work entirely offline, with no account and no data leaving your device.
You can leave a group at any time from the group's screen, which stops future nudges to you and removes your membership record.
How We Use Your Information
- To provide and operate the NudgeBuzz service on your device
- To send you the notifications you have scheduled
- To operate Groups & Nudges, if you choose to use it
- To provide customer support when you contact us
Data Storage and Security
- Local storage — Your channels, content, and settings are stored on your device using AsyncStorage. No external server is involved for this data.
- No analytics — We do not use any third-party analytics or tracking services.
Advertising
NudgeBuzz displays banner advertisements served by Google AdMob (Google Mobile Ads SDK) to help keep the app free. To serve and measure ads, Google AdMob collects your device's advertising identifier and general device information. This is separate from the app's own data (channels, content, schedules), which remains local to your device as described above.
- Ad personalization — Depending on your region and consent choice, ads may be personalized based on your advertising identifier, or shown as non-personalized ads.
- Consent (EEA/UK users) — If you're in the European Economic Area or the UK, NudgeBuzz shows a consent form (via Google's User Messaging Platform) before any personalized ads are served, and you can change your choice at any time from that form.
Data Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties, except:
- Firebase (Google) — For authentication and data storage, only if you use Groups & Nudges. Governed by Google's privacy policy.
- Google AdMob — For displaying advertisements, as described in the Advertising section above.
- Google Gemini API — For AI-generated content, only if you enable it and provide your own API key. Only the topic you type is sent, using your own key.
- OpenStreetMap Nominatim — For place-name search, only when you search for a location to use as a Location Trigger.
- Legal requirements — If required by law or to protect our legal rights.
Your Rights and Choices
- Delete your data — Use Settings → Data & Backup → Clear All Data to remove everything immediately.
- Export your data — Export all your channels and content in JSON format at any time.
- Leave Groups & Nudges — Sign out or leave a group at any time to stop future data collection for that feature.
- Control notifications — All notification settings are under your control in the app.
Children's Privacy
NudgeBuzz is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
Third-Party Services
NudgeBuzz uses the following third-party services:
- Firebase Authentication — For optional user login. Privacy Policy
- Firebase Firestore — For Groups & Nudges data. Privacy Policy
- Firebase Cloud Messaging & Cloud Functions — Used only by Groups & Nudges, to deliver nudges to group members' devices. Privacy Policy
- Google AdMob — For displaying advertisements. Privacy Policy
- Google Gemini API — Used only by the optional AI Content feature, with your own API key. Privacy Policy
- OpenStreetMap Nominatim — Used only when searching for a place to set as a Location Trigger. Privacy Policy
Data Retention
- Local data — Stored on your device until you delete it or clear all data.
- Cloud data — Groups & Nudges data is stored until you delete your account or leave the group.
- Account data — Deleted within 30 days of an account deletion request.
International Data Transfers
If you use Groups & Nudges, your data may be stored on Google Firebase servers in various countries. Firebase complies with international data protection regulations including GDPR.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes are posted on this page with an updated date.
Contact Us
- Email: nudgebuzz1@gmail.com
- Website: amarduwal.github.io
By using NudgeBuzz, you consent to this Privacy Policy.