Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
1. Executive Privacy Summary
FlowBytes is built as an offline-first network monitoring and firewall utility. We believe that your browsing history, internet traffic patterns, and installed application list are strictly private to you.
Core Guarantee: FlowBytes operates 100% locally on your device. We do NOT collect, record, track, transmit, or monetize any user network data, IP packets, websites visited, or application usage statistics.
2. Prominent Android VpnService Disclosure
FlowBytes includes an optional App Firewall (App Blocking) feature powered by Android's android.net.VpnService API.
How VpnService is Used:
- Local Loopback Firewall: FlowBytes creates a virtual local network adapter entirely on your device. This interface acts as an on-device packet filter to block network traffic for applications you specifically select or those that exceed their data quotas.
- No Remote Routing: Your network traffic is NEVER routed, proxied, redirected, or transmitted to any external VPN server, proxy, or remote machine.
- Zero Traffic Logging: FlowBytes does not inspect packet payloads, inspect URLs, read unencrypted data, or log browsing activities.
Note on VPN Slot: The VpnService is only initiated if you explicitly activate the Firewall feature. If you only use the Speed Meter and Usage Analytics, the VPN service remains completely disabled.
3. Data Usage & On-Device Storage
All metrics displayed in FlowBytes—including daily/monthly speed history, per-app byte consumption, alert logs, and data plan configurations—are stored strictly in an encrypted local SQLite database (Room Database) inside the app's sandboxed private storage.
This data is never shared with external servers, cloud databases, or analytics vendors.
4. Android Permissions Breakdown
android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS: Required to query system network statistics (NetworkStatsManager) to compute per-app byte consumption over Wi-Fi and Mobile Data.android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES: Required to list installed applications with their user-friendly labels and icons so you can configure individual app limits.android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE: Required to keep real-time network sampling active in the background with a persistent notification.android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS: Required to render the real-time speed meter in the status bar/shade and deliver data plan breach warnings.android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED: Automatically restarts the speed meter service after your device reboots.
5. Third-Party Services & Network Access
FlowBytes contains zero third-party advertising SDKs and zero analytics telemetry trackers (e.g. no Google Analytics, no Firebase Crashlytics, no Facebook SDK).
Optional in-app donations are processed securely through Google Play In-App Billing or external direct links (PayPal).
6. Data Security & Storage Lifecycle
- User Control: You can clear usage histories, reset data plan stats, and delete alert logs at any time from within Settings.
- App Removal: Uninstalling FlowBytes automatically and permanently removes all stored data from your device.
7. Children's Privacy
FlowBytes does not collect personal data from any user, including children under 13 years of age.
8. Terms of Service & License
FlowBytes is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPLv3). The software is provided "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied.
9. Contact Information
For questions or inquiries regarding FlowBytes, please contact the developer: