Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 21 February 2026 · Last Updated: 9 March 2026

1. Overview

RuleSelf is designed with privacy as a core principle. All rules, configurations, and usage detection operate entirely on your device. RuleSelf does not collect, store, transmit, or share personal data through its own servers or infrastructure.

        Short version: your data stays on your device. RuleSelf has no backend, no accounts, and no user tracking.
    

2. Information We Collect

RuleSelf itself does not collect any personal information.

No account registration required
No email address, name, or contact information collected
No device identifiers collected by RuleSelf directly
No location data collected
No proprietary analytics SDK included

See Section 6 (Advertising) for information about Google AdMob, which is used for free-tier users and operates under Google's own data practices.

3. Data Storage & Background Tasks

All data you create (rules, schedules, app selections, custom messages) is stored locally on your device using Android's secure local storage. This data is never transmitted to the developer or any third party by RuleSelf. Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data.

RuleSelf uses Android WorkManager to schedule periodic background tasks (such as midnight rule resets). These tasks run locally on your device and do not transmit any data externally.

3a. Rule Monitor Service

RuleSelf includes a persistent background monitoring service ("Rule Monitor") that you can enable or disable at any time via Settings → Enable Monitoring. When enabled, the service:

Continuously detects which app is currently in the foreground using Android's UsageStats API
Evaluates your configured rules in real time (app-open triggers, usage-time triggers, and time-of-day schedules)
Executes the corresponding action (block, delay, or show message) by displaying an on-screen overlay when a rule is triggered
Displays a persistent "Rules Active" notification while running, as required by Android for foreground services
Automatically restarts after device reboots if it was enabled before the reboot

        The Monitor Service processes all data entirely on your device. It does not record,
        store, or transmit your app usage history, screen time statistics, or any other behavioural data.
        No logs or analytics are sent externally. You can stop the service at any time from Settings.
    

4. Permissions Used

Usage Access (PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS) Detects which app is in the foreground and measures usage time or screen unlock counts. Processed locally only. Never transmitted.

Query Installed Apps (QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES) Displays your installed apps when you create a rule. The app list is never stored externally or shared with anyone.

Display Over Other Apps (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW) Shows block screens, delay countdowns, and reminder messages over other apps. This permission does not allow data collection.

Notifications Displays the persistent "Rules Active" status notification and system alerts.

Run at Startup (RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED) Ensures your rules remain active after the device restarts.

Full-Screen Intent (USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT) Allows block and delay screens to appear as full-screen alerts when a restricted app is launched. Required on Android 10+. Does not allow any data collection.

Foreground Service (FOREGROUND_SERVICE / FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE) RuleSelf runs a persistent background monitoring service to continuously detect app usage and enforce your rules while you use your phone. A visible notification is always shown while this service is active. No data is transmitted.

5. Internet Usage

RuleSelf does not require an internet connection for core functionality. No cloud sync, no remote databases, and no server communication are performed by RuleSelf itself. Internet access is used only for:

Loading advertisements via Google AdMob (free users only)
Loading cross-promotion house ads when AdMob is unavailable (see Section 6a)
Processing Premium purchases via Google Play Billing
Checking for available app updates via the Google Play In-App Update API

        In-App Update Check: When you launch RuleSelf, the app may query the
        Google Play Store to check whether a newer version is available. If a newer version is
        found, a non-intrusive dialog offers you the option to upgrade or dismiss. No personal
        data is collected as part of this check; it is a standard Google Play API call using
        your device's existing Play Store session.
    

6. Advertising (Free Users Only)

Free users of RuleSelf may see banner and rewarded advertisements served by Google AdMob. AdMob is a third-party advertising service operated by Google LLC.

        AdMob may collect device identifiers (such as the Advertising ID / GAID), IP address, and
        app usage signals for ad personalisation and measurement. This data is handled by Google
        under their own Privacy Policy — not by RuleSelf.
    

Rewarded ads are entirely optional and grant one additional rule slot when watched.
RuleSelf does not receive, store, or process any ad-related data.
You can opt out of personalised ads via your device's Google settings (Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalisation).
Google's Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy

        Premium users see no advertisements. AdMob is not initialised for Premium users.
    

6a. Cross-Promotion (Free Users Only)

When Google AdMob fails to load a banner ad, RuleSelf may display a cross-promotion banner for other apps published by the same developer. This feature works as follows:

A small JSON file listing promoted apps is fetched from a developer-hosted static page (nchitimilla.github.io) over HTTPS.
This JSON is cached locally on your device for up to 3 hours to minimise network requests.
App icon images referenced in the JSON are loaded via Glide from their respective URLs.
Tapping a cross-promotion banner opens the advertised app's Google Play Store listing.

        No personal data, device identifiers, or usage analytics are collected or transmitted
        as part of cross-promotion. The fetch is a simple HTTPS GET request to a static JSON file;
        no cookies, tokens, or tracking parameters are sent.
    

Cross-promotion is not shown to Premium users because all ad surfaces are disabled for Premium.

7. Google Play Billing

If you purchase Premium, payment processing is handled securely by Google Play Billing. RuleSelf does not receive or store your payment card details or billing information. Purchases are governed by Google Play's Terms of Service.

8. Data Sharing

RuleSelf does not share any data with third parties through its own systems. The only third-party data flows are those initiated by Google AdMob (free users) and Google Play Billing (purchasers), both of which are governed by Google's policies.

9. Children's Privacy

RuleSelf is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through this App, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

10. Data Security

All rule data is stored using Android's secure local storage mechanisms. Because RuleSelf has no external servers, there is no external exposure risk from RuleSelf's own infrastructure. Device-level security (lock screen, encryption) protects local data.

11. Your Control

Delete any rule at any time within the app
Revoke permissions at any time via Android Settings
Opt out of ad personalisation via Google Settings on your device
Uninstall the app to permanently remove all locally stored data

12. Changes to This Policy

If future updates change data practices, this policy will be updated accordingly. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact

For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, contact:
Nagaraju Chitimilla
Nagaraju.Chitimilla@gmail.com