Privacy Policy

SymptomTech ("we," "us," or "our") operates the NotePad mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our App.

By using NotePad, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1.1 Information Stored Locally on Your Device

The following data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted to our servers:

• Notes and Content: All text content you create, including titles, body text, and checklist items
• Folders and Categories: Your organizational structure, folder names, and color preferences
• App Settings: Theme preferences (light/dark/system), font selections, sort order, and feature toggles
• Backup Files: When you create backups, they are stored on your device or your chosen storage location (Downloads folder, external storage, etc.)
• Speech Recognition Models: Downloaded language models for speech-to-text (stored in app's private directory)
• Pin Status: Which notes you have pinned
• Archive Status: Which notes and folders are archived

Important: We do not have access to any of this data. It exists only on your device.

1.2 Information We DO NOT Collect

We want to be crystal clear about what we do not collect:

• Your notes and content: Never accessed, transmitted, or stored on external servers
• Voice recordings: Audio captured during speech-to-text is processed locally and immediately discarded after transcription
• Photos: Images captured or selected for photo-to-text are processed locally and immediately discarded after text extraction
• Transcriptions: All transcribed text from voice or images is stored only in your local notes
• Personal information: No names, email addresses, phone numbers, or contact information
• Account data: The App does not require registration or account creation
• Location data: We do not access or collect your location
• Usage analytics: We do not track how you use the App or collect usage statistics
• Crash reports: No automatic crash reporting or analytics are collected

2.1 Google AdMob (Free Version Only)

The free version of the App displays advertisements through Google AdMob. AdMob may collect and process certain information to deliver personalized advertisements. This information may include:

• Device identifiers (such as advertising ID)
• IP address
• Device type and operating system
• App usage information (when ads are viewed)
• General location information (derived from IP address)

For more information about how Google AdMob collects and processes data:

• Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• AdMob Partner Policies: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/9012903

Note: Premium users who purchase ad-free experience will not be subject to AdMob data collection.

2.2 Google Play Billing

When you make in-app purchases, the transaction is processed through Google Play's billing system. Google Play collects and processes payment information according to their privacy policy. We do not have access to your payment details.

Available In-App Purchases:

• Premium Ad-Free ($3.99 CAD): Removes ads, unlocks unlimited folders, full color palette (24 colors), archive access, and backup/restore features
• Speech-to-Text ($2.99 CAD): Unlock offline voice typing with support for 11 languages
• Photo-to-Text ($2.99 CAD): Unlock OCR functionality to extract text from photos

2.3 Google ML Kit (Photo-to-Text Feature)

If you purchase and use the Photo-to-Text feature:

• Text recognition is performed entirely on your device using Google ML Kit
• The ML Kit model (~10MB) is automatically downloaded to your device on first use
• Photos are processed locally and are never uploaded to Google servers or our servers
• No images are stored by the app or transmitted anywhere
• The feature works offline after the initial model download

Learn more about ML Kit: https://developers.google.com/ml-kit

2.4 Vosk Speech Recognition (Speech-to-Text Feature)

If you purchase and use the Speech-to-Text feature:

• Speech recognition is performed entirely offline on your device
• Language models are hosted on our GitHub repository: github.com/SymptomTech
• You download only the language models you choose (each model is 30-50MB)
• Models are stored in the app's private directory on your device
• Audio is processed in real-time and immediately discarded after transcription
• No audio recordings are saved, transmitted, or uploaded anywhere
• The feature works completely offline

Supported Languages: English (US), Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, and Indian English

3.1 Microphone Permission (Optional)

Required for: Speech-to-Text feature only (if purchased)

Purpose: To capture your voice for transcription into text

Privacy:

• Audio is processed entirely on your device
• Audio is not recorded, saved, or transmitted
• Audio is immediately discarded after transcription
• You can revoke this permission at any time in Android Settings

Note: The app will continue to function without this permission (Speech-to-Text feature will be unavailable)

3.2 Camera Permission (Optional)

Required for: Photo-to-Text feature only (if purchased)

Purpose: To capture photos for text extraction or select existing photos from your gallery

Privacy:

• Images are processed entirely on your device
• Images are not saved, stored, or transmitted
• Only extracted text is inserted into your note
• You can revoke this permission at any time in Android Settings

Note: The app will continue to function without this permission (Photo-to-Text feature will be unavailable)

3.3 Storage Permission (Optional)

Required for: Backup export and import features (Premium only)

Purpose: To save backup files to your device's storage and read backup files for restoration

What We Access:

• Only the backup files you explicitly choose to export/import
• Backup files are standard ZIP files containing your notes and folders in JSON format
• We do not access any other files on your device

Since we do not collect or have access to your notes, content, or personal information, we cannot use it. The only data processing that occurs is:

4.1 On-Device Processing Only

• Note Storage: Your notes are stored in the app's local database (Room/SQLite) on your device
• Speech-to-Text: Audio is processed by Vosk models running entirely on your device
• Photo-to-Text: Images are processed by ML Kit models running entirely on your device
• Backup/Restore: Data is exported/imported directly to/from your device's storage as ZIP files

4.2 What We Do NOT Do

• We do not analyze your notes or content
• We do not share your data with third parties (except AdMob for free users, as disclosed)
• We do not use your data for marketing or advertising (beyond AdMob's own operations)
• We do not sell your data to anyone
• We do not create user profiles

5.1 On-Device Security

• All app data is protected by Android's built-in security features
• Data is stored in the app's private directory, inaccessible to other apps
• No user authentication required (no passwords to compromise)
• Backup files are standard ZIP files that you control

5.2 Network Security

• No note content is ever transmitted over the network
• The only network connections are:
  • AdMob ad delivery (free version only)
  • Google Play Billing for purchases
  • ML Kit model download (one-time, ~10MB, Photo-to-Text feature)
  • Vosk model downloads from GitHub (optional, for languages you choose)
• All network connections use secure HTTPS protocols

5.3 Backup Security

• Backup files are created locally and stored where you choose
• We do not have access to your backup files
• Backup security depends on where you choose to store them
• We recommend storing backups in secure locations (password-protected cloud storage, encrypted drives, etc.)

NotePad does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The App is designed to work entirely offline with local storage, making it safe for all ages. Parents and guardians can confidently allow children to use the app as no personal data is collected or transmitted.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. However, given our privacy-first design, it is highly unlikely any data has been collected.

7.1 Data Control

• Access: You can access all your data within the app at any time
• Export: Premium users can create backups to export all data as ZIP files
• Delete: You can delete individual notes, folders, or all data at any time
• Complete Removal: Uninstalling the app permanently deletes all local data from your device

7.2 Permissions Management

• You can revoke microphone permission at any time via Android Settings → Apps → NotePad → Permissions
• You can revoke camera permission at any time via Android Settings → Apps → NotePad → Permissions
• You can revoke storage permission at any time via Android Settings → Apps → NotePad → Permissions
• The app will continue to function without these permissions (respective features will be unavailable)

7.3 Advertising Controls

• Purchase "Premium Ad-Free" ($3.99 CAD) to permanently remove all advertisements
• Adjust ad personalization in your Google account settings
• Reset your advertising ID in Android Settings → Google → Ads

7.4 In-App Purchase Management

• Purchases are one-time only (no subscriptions or recurring charges)
• Purchases are tied to your Google Play account
• You can view purchase history in Google Play Store → Account → Purchase history
• Refund requests must be made through Google Play Store (typically within 48 hours of purchase)

8.1 Free Version

• Unlimited notes
• Maximum 3 folders
• 6 primary colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple)
• Basic features (pin notes, share, checklists)
• AdMob advertisements displayed

8.2 Premium Version ($3.99 CAD)

• All free features
• Ad-free experience (no AdMob)
• Unlimited folders
• Full color palette (24 colors)
• Archive access (archive and restore notes/folders)
• Backup/Restore features (export/import as ZIP files)

8.3 Speech-to-Text Add-On ($2.99 CAD)

• Offline voice typing
• 11 language support
• Download only languages you need
• 100% on-device processing
• Insert transcribed text into notes or checklists

8.4 Photo-to-Text Add-On ($2.99 CAD)

• OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
• Camera or gallery photo selection
• 100% on-device processing
• ~90% accuracy for printed text
• Insert extracted text into notes or checklists

Important: All purchases are separate and optional. You can use the free version indefinitely, or purchase individual features as needed.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, features, or legal requirements. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notifying you via the app (for significant changes)

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes are effective when posted on this page. Continued use of the app after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

NotePad is available worldwide. Since all data is stored locally on your device and processing occurs on-device, international data transfer laws do not apply. Your data never leaves your device (except for AdMob advertisements in free version).

GDPR Compliance (European Users): We do not collect personal data. The only third-party data processing is through Google AdMob (free version). You have the right to access, rectify, and delete your data at any time by managing your app data or uninstalling the app.

CCPA Compliance (California Users): We do not sell personal information. The only data shared is with Google AdMob for advertisement delivery (free version only). You can opt out of personalized ads through your Google account settings.

The app may contain links to third-party websites or services:

• GitHub: Language models for Speech-to-Text are hosted on our GitHub repository
• Google Play Store: For app updates and in-app purchases
• SymptomTech Website: For support and additional information

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies when visiting these sites.

Your Data: All notes, folders, and content are retained on your device until you choose to delete them or uninstall the app.

Speech Models: Downloaded language models remain on your device until you manually delete them via app settings or uninstall the app.

ML Kit Model: The photo-to-text model remains on your device until you uninstall the app.

Backup Files: Backup files you create are retained in your chosen storage location until you delete them.

Purchase History: Purchase records are maintained by Google Play and are subject to their retention policies.