1. Overview
Phone Security: App Guard is an Android app-blocking and digital focus tool published by Pala Software. This Privacy Policy applies to the Phone Security Android mobile application.
Phone Security does not require an account and does not use a Phone Security cloud or backend. Protection data is handled locally on the device. The Free plan may use Google Mobile Ads and Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP), as described separately below.
2. Local data stored by Phone Security
Phone Security may store the following information in the app’s local device storage:
- A salted PBKDF2 hash representation of the PIN; the raw PIN is not stored.
- Package names selected for blocking.
- Scheduled Blocking rules and Daily Usage Limit rules.
- Focus Lock status and the selected app.
- Protection and permission-related settings.
- Local state needed for operation, such as recent blocking status.
This protection data is not uploaded to a Pala Software or Phone Security server. Phone Security has no account system or application backend. The app does not store the screen content of other apps, messages, passwords, or keystrokes.
3. Android permissions and sensitive APIs
Android permissions are granted by the user. They can be reviewed or removed in Android settings, although removing a required permission can stop the related protection feature.
Accessibility Service
Phone Security uses Accessibility Service to detect the foreground app package, trigger blocking when a selected app opens, and return to the selected app during Focus Lock. It is not used to read screen text, messages, passwords, or keystrokes, and Accessibility data is not used for advertising targeting.
Usage Access
Android Usage Access supports scheduled blocking, verifies the foreground app when needed, and calculates daily app usage locally on the device. This usage data is not uploaded to a Phone Security server.
Display Over Other Apps
This permission is used to show a clear blocking screen over a selected app.
Notifications and foreground service
Notification access may be used to show the status of an active foreground protection service, as required by Android. It is not used to read the content of other apps’ notifications.
Battery optimization exemption
On some Android devices, the user may be asked to allow a battery-optimization exemption so the protection service can operate more consistently. This is optional and controlled through Android settings.
Boot completed
If protection was enabled, Phone Security may respond after the device starts so it can restore the local protection service and rules.
Internet and network state
The Free plan may use Internet and network-state permissions to load Google-provided ads and privacy consent options. Core Phone Security protection data is not sent to a Phone Security backend.
Phone Security does not use Device Owner, root access, or hidden system privileges.
4. Google Mobile Ads and UMP
The Free plan may use Google Mobile Ads SDK. Advertising content is supplied by Google; Phone Security does not create or manually target its own ads. Google UMP may manage advertising privacy and consent choices in applicable regions.
Google and advertising technology providers may process information such as device or advertising identifiers, IP address, ad interactions, and diagnostic data under their own policies. Exact data categories and behavior may depend on the Google SDK version, device settings, region, and the user’s consent choices. The Pro plan does not send ad requests.
Where available, users can manage advertising privacy choices through the UMP privacy form. For more information, review Google’s Privacy Policy, Advertising Technologies, and AdMob data disclosure guidance.
5. Data sharing
Phone Security protection data
Local protection data is not sent to Pala Software servers, is not sold, and is not shared through a Phone Security cloud.
Google advertising services
On the Free plan, Google Mobile Ads and related advertising technology providers may process data to provide their services. This processing is governed by Google’s policies and the user’s consent choices.
6. Data retention and deletion
Local protection data remains in the app’s device storage until the user changes or deletes rules, clears the app’s data, or uninstalls the app. Clearing app data or uninstalling Phone Security deletes the local Phone Security data from that app installation.
Because there is no Pala Software account or Phone Security backend, there is no server-side account deletion workflow. Google advertising consent and SDK data may be managed through the relevant Google, UMP, Android, and device mechanisms.
7. Security
The PIN is stored as a salted PBKDF2 hash representation, not as the raw PIN. Local data security also depends on Android, device manufacturer behavior, and the user’s device lock and security settings. No storage method can provide a 100% security guarantee.
8. Children’s privacy and target audience
Phone Security is not designed to collect personal account information directly and has no account system. Parents or adults may use it to manage rules on a device. Phone Security is not represented here as an app specifically directed to children, and Pala Software does not knowingly collect account information from children through Phone Security.
Advertising and audience settings used for a production release will follow applicable Google Play and Google Mobile Ads requirements.
9. International data processing
Google advertising services and their providers may process advertising-related data in countries outside the user’s country. That processing is governed by Google’s policies, regional requirements, and the user’s available privacy choices.
10. Your choices
You can:
- Review or remove Android permissions in device settings.
- Disable protection and manage rules with the PIN.
- Clear Phone Security app data or uninstall the app.
- Open the UMP advertising privacy options when available.
- Use the Pro plan for an ad-free experience when it becomes available.
11. Changes to this policy
Pala Software may update this policy as Phone Security, Android requirements, or third-party services change. The “Last updated” date will be revised. Material changes may be communicated through appropriate product or website channels.
12. Contact
Pala Software
Website: palatools.com
Email: palasoftwares@gmail.com
Telegram: @palainfo