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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 2026

SafeBuddy (“we”, “our”, or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how SafeBuddy collects, uses, stores, and safeguards your data when you use our mobile application.

By installing or using SafeBuddy, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

SafeBuddy collects only the minimum information required to provide safety-related features.

  • Trusted Contacts: Names, phone numbers, and relationship information
  • Check-in History: Timestamps, streaks, and check-in patterns
  • Journey Data: Journey start/end times and check-in intervals
  • App Preferences: Reminder intervals, notification settings, and SOS configuration
  • SOS Events: Emergency timestamps, trigger types, and resolution status
  • Device Information: For compatibility and debugging purposes

2. Automatically Collected Information

  • Device Data: Device type, operating system, and app version
  • Usage Analytics: App navigation patterns and feature interactions
  • Safety Events: Check-in timestamps, missed reminders, and escalation levels
  • Location Data: GPS coordinates (only during SOS events or emergencies)
  • Sensor Data: Accelerometer readings for shake detection (processed locally)

3. Location Information

Location data is accessed only during emergency situations. SafeBuddy does not continuously track user location in the background.

  • SOS Events: Current location is captured and shared with trusted contacts
  • Safety Escalation: Location may be included in escalated alerts
  • Journey Tracking: Location is not tracked during journeys (check-in based only)
  • User Consent: Location access requires explicit permission

Location data is included in emergency messages as Google Maps URLs for easy navigation by emergency contacts.

4. How We Use Your Information

  • Safety Reminders: Send periodic check-in notifications and journey reminders
  • Emergency Alerts: Trigger SOS messages and safety escalations
  • Contact Communication: Send SMS messages to trusted contacts during emergencies
  • Check-in Tracking: Monitor check-in patterns, streaks, and missed reminders
  • Journey Management: Track journey progress and automatic check-ins
  • App Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve stability and user experience

SafeBuddy does not use personal data for advertising, marketing, or third-party analytics.

5. Permissions Used

  • SMS: Send emergency messages to trusted contacts during SOS events
  • Location: Access current GPS coordinates during emergencies (included in SMS)
  • Notifications: Deliver safety reminders, check-in alerts, and SOS notifications
  • Sensors (Accelerometer): Detect shake gestures for automatic SOS triggering
  • Phone: Make emergency calls from the emergency button
  • Storage: Store contacts, preferences, and check-in history locally on device

All permissions are optional and can be revoked at any time. Some features may be limited without certain permissions.

6. SMS & Communication Disclosure

SafeBuddy automatically sends SMS messages to trusted contacts only during emergency situations (SOS events or safety escalations). Messages include location URLs and emergency details. No premium, paid, or promotional messages are ever sent.

  • Emergency SMS: Sent only during SOS triggers or safety escalations
  • Message Content: Includes emergency alert, GPS location, and request for immediate contact
  • No Spam: No marketing, promotional, or automated messages outside emergencies
  • Standard Rates: Messages use standard SMS rates (no premium charges)

7. Data Storage & Security

  • Local Storage: Most user data is stored locally on the user's device
  • Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted when possible
  • No Cloud Sync: Personal data is not uploaded to external servers
  • Minimal Transmission: Only emergency location data is transmitted via SMS
  • Security Measures: Reasonable security measures protect stored data

8. Data Sharing

SafeBuddy does not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

Information may be shared only with:

  • Trusted contacts during emergency situations
  • System services required to provide core app functionality

9. User Rights & Control

  • Contact Management: Add, edit, or remove trusted contacts at any time
  • Permission Control: Revoke app permissions through device settings
  • Data Deletion: Clear app data or uninstall to remove all stored information
  • Check-in History: View and clear check-in history and streaks
  • SOS Configuration: Enable/disable automatic SOS detection features
  • Journey Settings: Configure journey-specific reminder intervals

10. Consent & Legal Basis

SafeBuddy operates based on explicit user consent. Consent is required during:

  • First application launch
  • Permission requests
  • Updates to legal policies

11. Children’s Privacy

SafeBuddy is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

12. Regional Limitations

App functionality may vary depending on regional regulations, telecom providers, and device capabilities. SafeBuddy does not guarantee feature availability in all regions.

13. Disclaimer of Liability

SafeBuddy is a safety assistance tool and does not replace emergency services. We are not liable for network failures, delayed notifications, device limitations, or third-party service disruptions.

14. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Significant changes may require renewed user consent before continued use of the application.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: