Privacy Policy

Overview

Mute is a focus and distraction-blocking app designed to help you commit to distraction-free time. Your privacy is fundamental to how we built this app. Mute is designed so that your personal data stays on your device.

Information We Collect

Information Stored on Your Device Only

Mute stores the following data locally on your device using encrypted storage (AES-256 encryption). This data is never transmitted to our servers or any third party:

• Session History: Records of your focus sessions including start time, duration, and completion status
• Allowed Apps and Contacts: Apps and contacts you have chosen to allow during focus sessions
• App Preferences: Your settings and configuration choices
• Purchase Records: Google Play order identifiers for early exit purchases (used only to verify transactions)

We do not operate servers that store your personal data. All of the information listed above remains entirely on your device.

Information Collected Automatically by Third-Party Services

Mute uses the following Google services, which may collect limited technical data:

Firebase Analytics

We use Firebase Analytics to understand general usage patterns such as how often sessions are started and completed, which features are used, and how long sessions typically last. This data is anonymous and does not include any personally identifiable information. No usernames, email addresses, or account information is collected. You can opt out of Firebase Analytics through your device's Google settings (Settings > Google > Ads).

Firebase Crashlytics

When the app encounters an error, Firebase Crashlytics automatically collects crash reports that include your device model, operating system version, and technical details about the error (stack traces). No personal data, screen content, or message content is included in these reports. This helps us identify and fix bugs.

Firebase Performance Monitoring

We use Firebase Performance Monitoring to measure app startup times and responsiveness. This data includes general device and app performance metrics and does not contain any personal information.

Firebase Remote Config

Mute fetches configuration settings (such as visual theme options) from Firebase Remote Config. No personal data is sent during this process.

Firebase App Check

Mute uses Firebase App Check to verify that requests to Firebase services come from our authentic app. This involves device integrity verification tokens and does not access or transmit personal data.

Google Play Billing

If you choose to end a session early using the paid option ($0.99), the payment is processed entirely by Google Play. Mute never receives, accesses, or stores your payment information such as credit card numbers or billing addresses. The only information Mute receives from Google Play is an order identifier and a purchase token to confirm the transaction. The purchase token is consumed immediately after verification.

For more information on how Google handles data through these services, see Google's Privacy Policy and Firebase's Privacy Documentation.

Information We Do Not Collect

Mute does not collect, access, or transmit:

• Your name, email address, or any account information (no account creation is required)
• The content of your screen, messages, passwords, or keystrokes
• Which specific apps you use or how often you use them (the Accessibility Service only checks app identifiers against your blocked list during active sessions and immediately discards this information)
• Your location, contacts list, photos, or files
• Advertising identifiers or tracking profiles

Permissions

Mute requests the following Android permissions, each used solely for the described purpose:

• Do Not Disturb Access: To silence notifications during your focus sessions. This permission only changes your notification settings and does not access any notification content.
• Accessibility Service: To detect when a blocked app is opened during a focus session and return you to the home screen. This service only reads the package name (app identifier) of the foreground application. It does not read screen content, text input, passwords, messages, or any other personal data. The canRetrieveWindowContent flag is explicitly set to false. The service is completely inactive outside of focus sessions you start.
• Notifications: To display a persistent notification during active focus sessions so you can see your remaining time.
• Contacts (optional): If you choose to allow specific contacts to reach you during sessions, this permission lets Mute display your contact names. Contact information is stored locally and is never transmitted.
• Billing: To process optional early exit payments through Google Play.
• Exact Alarms: To notify you when a focus session is complete.

Data Security

All locally stored data is encrypted using Android's EncryptedSharedPreferences with AES-256 encryption, backed by the Android Keystore system. All network communication uses HTTPS/TLS encryption. Cleartext (unencrypted) network traffic is disabled.

Cloud backup and device-to-device transfer of app data are disabled. Your data exists only on your current device.

Data Retention and Deletion

All data is stored locally on your device. Mute does not maintain any servers or databases containing your information. Your session history is limited to the most recent 100 sessions.

You can delete your data at any time through the following options:

• Clear Session History: Tap "Clear Session History" in Settings to delete your session records
• Delete All App Data: Tap "Delete All App Data" in Settings to erase all app data and reset the app to its initial state
• Uninstall: Uninstalling Mute removes all app data from your device

Since we do not store your data on any server, deletion from your device is complete and permanent.

Children's Privacy

Mute is designed for general audiences and does not knowingly collect any personal information from children under 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction). No account creation or personal information is required to use the app.

Your Privacy Rights

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

Since Mute does not collect, sell, or share personal information, the rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act are satisfied by design:

• Right to Know: No personal information is collected or stored on our servers.
• Right to Delete: All data is stored locally on your device and can be deleted through Settings or by uninstalling the app.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not sell or share personal information with third parties.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Not applicable, as no personal data is collected.

European Residents (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area, the legal basis for the limited data processing through Firebase services is our legitimate interest in maintaining app quality and stability. You have the right to:

• Access: Request information about what data is processed (anonymous analytics and crash data only)
• Erasure: Delete all local data through Settings, and opt out of Firebase Analytics through device settings
• Object: Opt out of analytics collection through your device's Google settings
• Portability: Since no personal data is stored on our servers, there is no server-side data to transfer

All Users

You can opt out of anonymous analytics data collection through your device's Google settings at any time. This does not affect the app's functionality.

Third-Party Links

Mute may contain links to external websites such as our privacy policy page. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this privacy policy or Mute's privacy practices, please contact us:

• Email: support@sweet-action-labs.com

Summary

Mute is built with privacy as a core principle. Your session data, preferences, and settings stay on your device and are encrypted. We use Firebase for anonymous analytics and crash reporting only. We never collect, store, or share your personal information.