Privacy Policy for Messages: SMS & Text Messaging

1. Introduction

We at The Pi Apps ("we", "our", or "us") have developed Messages: SMS & Text Messaging (the "App", package: com.pi.messages) to serve as a fast, private, and customizable default SMS & MMS application for Android devices. This Privacy Policy is designed to clearly inform you about how we handle system permissions, what information is accessed, and how your privacy is safeguarded when you use our App.

By downloading, installing, or using our App, you acknowledge and agree to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you disagree with these terms, please do not use the application.

2. Our Core Privacy Principle: Local-First Processing

Your text messages, contact records, call histories, and attachments belong exclusively to you.

• No Cloud Sync or Server Storage: Your SMS/MMS messages and contacts are stored and processed strictly locally on your Android device. We do not operate remote servers that store, read, or sync your private text conversations.
• Zero Data Selling: We never harvest, monetize, rent, or sell your personal communication data to advertisers or third parties.
• No Message Snooping: We do not inspect or listen to private message contents or voice recordings.

3. Permissions We Use and Why

To provide complete default SMS handler capabilities and post-call productivity tools, our App requires specific Android system permissions. Each permission is strictly utilized to deliver user-facing functionality:

A. SMS & MMS Capabilities

• SEND_SMS: Required to dispatch text messages when you compose, reply, schedule SMS, or trigger quick responses from the After Call screen.
• RECEIVE_SMS & RECEIVE_MMS: Allows the App to receive incoming SMS and MMS (pictures, videos, audio, group messages) as your Default SMS Application and present incoming alerts.
• READ_SMS: Allows the App to read and organize your SMS history into conversations, filter categories (Personal, Business, OTPs, Transactions), and report delivery status.
• BROADCAST_SMS & BROADCAST_WAP_PUSH: System-level broadcast receivers required by Android OS for default telephony applications to properly process incoming SMS and MMS packets.

B. Contacts, Phone State & Call Logs

• READ_CONTACTS: Enables displaying contact names and avatars in conversation threads, recipient autocompletion when drafting new messages, and grouping contacts into chat folders. Contact data never leaves your device.
• READ_PHONE_STATE: Enables detecting incoming/outgoing call states to know when a call finishes (for the After Call assistant) and identifying multi-SIM card slots to allow choosing SIM 1 or SIM 2 when sending texts.
• READ_CALL_LOG: Used strictly on-device by the optional After Call Screen to display recent call information (contact name, number, call duration, incoming/outgoing/missed status) so you can immediately send a follow-up SMS or set a reminder.
• CALL_PHONE: Allows you to place a direct phone call to a message sender or contact with a single tap from the chat toolbar or the After Call screen.

C. System, Overlay & Scheduling

• SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW ("Display Over Other Apps"): Enables the optional After Call assistant dialog to pop up conveniently over your current screen immediately after a phone call disconnects.
• POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+): Used to display instant notification alerts for incoming messages, delivery confirmations, and user-scheduled reminders.
• SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM: Used to trigger user-scheduled SMS dispatches and task reminders at the exact minute specified by the user.
• WAKE_LOCK & VIBRATE: Allows briefly waking the CPU to parse incoming SMS, light up the screen for high-priority alerts (if enabled in settings), and provide tactile haptic vibrations.

D. Media, Camera & Location

• CAMERA: Allows capturing photos or short videos directly inside the conversation screen to attach and send immediately via MMS.
• STORAGE & FILE ACCESS (FileProvider): Used to select gallery media for message attachments, save received photos/videos to your storage, and generate local message backups.
• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION & ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION: Utilized solely when you intentionally tap the Location Picker tool to select and share your location pin with a contact. We do not track background location.

E. Network & Internet

• INTERNET & ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Used to serve Google AdMob advertisements in the free version, check network connectivity, process Google Play in-app billing subscriptions, and transmit anonymous crash logs via Firebase.

4. Information Collection and Use

A. Information Processed Strictly on Your Device (Not Collected Remotely)

• Message Content: Texts, multimedia attachments, timestamps, and delivery reports.
• Contact List & Phone Numbers: Processed solely for identification and message routing.
• Call Log Metadata: Displayed on the After Call screen assistant only when enabled.
• SafeBox & App Lock: Passcodes, PINs, and biometric authentication remain securely protected within Android's hardware-backed Keystore and BiometricPrompt framework.
• On-Device Machine Learning: Message translation and language identification (via Google ML Kit) operate locally on your device without transmitting text to external cloud servers.

B. Technical & Diagnostic Data (Collected by Third-Party SDKs)

To maintain app quality and serve advertisements, our integrated third-party SDK partners may collect anonymized technical information:

• Device Identifiers: Advertising ID (Google GAID) and random installation IDs.
• Device Information: Device model, manufacturer, OS version, language, and screen resolution.
• Crash & Diagnostic Logs: Stack traces, app crashes, and memory states via Firebase Crashlytics to resolve bugs.
• Anonymous Usage Stats: Screen views and interaction events via Firebase Analytics.

5. Third-Party Services and SDKs

Our app incorporates trusted third-party SDKs for advertisements, payment processing, and crash tracking:

• Google AdMob: Serves banner, native, interstitial, and app-open ads in the free version of the App. (AdMob Privacy Policy)
• Google Play Billing: Securely processes in-app purchases and subscriptions for ad removal. We never touch financial details. (Google Privacy Policy)
• Firebase Crashlytics & Analytics: Monitors application stability, tracks crash reports, and helps optimize app performance. (Firebase Privacy Policy)
• Google Maps SDK: Provides the interactive map preview in the location attachment picker. (Google Maps Privacy Policy)

6. Data Storage and Security

• Local Storage Sandboxing: All messages, contacts, and personal preferences reside inside your device's protected application sandbox, shielded from other apps by the Android operating system.
• Industry Standard Practices: We utilize secure FileProvider sharing and Android Keystore cryptography to safeguard your data against unauthorized local access.
• No Web Transmission: Since personal message data is never transmitted across the internet, it is invulnerable to remote server breaches or man-in-the-middle data compromises.

7. Data Retention and Deletion

• User Retained Control: You retain complete control over all messages, conversations, and backups. You can delete individual messages or entire threads at any time from within the App.
• Uninstalling / Clearing Data: Clearing the App's storage via Android Settings (Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage > Clear Data) or uninstalling the App completely erases all local application data and custom folders.
• No Server Retention: Because we hold no copies of your personal data on remote servers, no server-side retention or account deletion request is necessary.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA & GDPR Compliance)

Our App is not intended for or directed toward children under the age of 13 (or under 16 for residents of the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided personal information without parental consent, please contact us immediately, and we will take necessary measures to remove such data.

9. Your Privacy Rights (GDPR & CCPA/CPRA)

Depending on your residency, you are entitled to specific statutory privacy rights:

• Right of Access & Portability: You have immediate access to your entire chat history directly on your device and can export or back up your messages.
• Right to Rectification & Erasure: You can edit contacts, delete conversations, or purge local backups at will.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can grant or revoke any Android permission (Camera, Location, Overlay, Contacts, etc.) at any time via Android System Settings.
• Opting Out of Personalized Ads: You can opt out of interest-based ads by navigating to your device's Settings > Google > Ads > Delete / Reset Advertising ID.

10. Compliance with Legal Obligations

We may disclose technical diagnostic data if required to do so by applicable laws, court orders, or subpoenas. However, because we do not collect, store, or transmit your private SMS/MMS messages or call logs to any remote server, we are technically incapable of providing copies of your private communications to third parties or law enforcement agencies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy & Contact Us

We may periodically update this Privacy Policy. Any modifications will be posted on this page with a revised "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Have Questions or Feedback?

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this Privacy Policy, please feel free to reach out to our team:

• App: Messages: SMS & Text Messaging (com.pi.messages)
• Developer: The Pi Apps
• Email: officialpiapps@gmail.com
• In-App Feedback: Open the App > Settings > Send Feedback