NetLens privacy policy
In short: the app has no account and no analytics. The publisher does not run a server that receives your data. Wi-Fi scan results, signal readings and your results stay on your phone. The app contacts third-party services only for the features you use (speed test, public IP lookup, network tools, ads), as described below.
Data on your device
- Speed test history (stored in a local database): date and time, download and upload speed, latency and jitter, the connection type (Wi-Fi, mobile data, etc.), the test server label (for example "Cloudflare (HKG)"), and the Wi-Fi name only if you turn on "Save Wi-Fi name with results" (off by default). You can delete single results or all of them in the app.
- Walk-test samples (stored in a local database): date and time, the place name you typed, signal strength, frequency and link speed. You can delete single samples or all of them.
- Settings: tile layout, accent colours, theme, the speed test size and the Wi-Fi-name switch.
- Kept in memory only: the list of nearby Wi-Fi networks (names, BSSIDs, signal, channels, security type), signal history graphs and tool results. They are not written to storage and disappear when the app is closed.
Nothing above is uploaded by the app. Automatic backup is turned off for the app. If you tap Share, the app hands the text (a CSV of scan results, walk samples or speed results) to the app you choose in Android's share sheet; from then on that app's own privacy practices apply.
Network use and third parties
- Speed test. When you start a test, the app downloads and uploads generated test data with Cloudflare's public speed-test service (
speed.cloudflare.com). Cloudflare receives your IP address and standard connection details, as any website does, and may log them under Cloudflare's privacy policy. The app shows how much data a test can use before it starts and asks for confirmation on mobile data or metered connections. The test data contains no personal information. - Public IP lookup. Only when you tap "Look up", the app requests
https://www.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/trace, which answers with the IP address it sees, an approximate country code and a data-centre code. The result is shown on screen and not stored. - Ping, trace route, DNS lookup and port check. These tools send network traffic directly from your phone to the host name or IP address you type (and DNS queries to the DNS server your device is configured to use). They are rate-limited, and the port check requires you to confirm that you own or may test the host. The publisher does not receive these requests or their results. Use them only on devices and networks you own or are authorised to test.
- Wi-Fi scanning is passive: the app listens to the standard Wi-Fi scan results that Android already collects. It does not connect to other networks, capture traffic or try to break into anything.
Advertising and consent
The app shows a banner ad on the home screen (never inside the tools) served by Google AdMob. Google may collect and use device identifiers such as the advertising ID, IP address, approximate location derived from the IP address, interactions and diagnostics to serve and measure ads. Where required (for example in the EEA and UK), you are asked for consent with Google's consent form, and you can change your choice in the app (Customize, Ad privacy choices). You can also reset or opt out of ad personalisation in Android settings. See Google's advertising policies and Google's privacy policy. The Wi-Fi scan data, speed results and tool inputs described above are not given to the ad SDK.
Retention and deletion
Delete speed results and walk-test samples inside the app, or clear the app's storage in Android settings, or uninstall the app. Uninstalling removes everything the app stored on your device. Because the publisher does not receive your data, there is nothing stored on a publisher server to delete. For data held by Cloudflare or Google, contact those companies.
Permissions
| Permission | Why it is used |
|---|---|
ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION (Location) | Android only gives apps the list of nearby Wi-Fi networks, and the name of the network you are connected to, if the app holds a location permission. NetLens requests it when you open a Wi-Fi scan or channel screen, or tap "Show network name". It is used only to read Wi-Fi scan results. The app does not read your GPS or network location, does not store a location and does not send one anywhere. If you refuse, the scan and channel screens explain this and the rest of the app (signal meter, speed test, network info, tools) keeps working. |
ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION | Android asks for it together with the precise location permission (it ignores a precise-only request on Android 12 and later). NetLens uses neither to find your position; see the entry above. |
NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES (Nearby devices, Android 13 and later) | The Wi-Fi-specific alternative to location for reading scan results. It is declared with the "never for location" flag. |
ACCESS_WIFI_STATE | Reads whether Wi-Fi is on and the details of the connection (signal strength, link speed, frequency, Wi-Fi standard). |
CHANGE_WIFI_STATE | Asks Android to refresh the Wi-Fi scan list (the "Scan now" button). The app does not connect to, join or change any network. |
ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE | Detects whether you are online and whether the connection is Wi-Fi, mobile or metered (used for the mobile-data warning), and reads addresses, gateway and DNS servers. |
INTERNET | Speed test, public IP lookup, network tools and ads. |
Security
All network requests made by the app itself use HTTPS, except the traffic of the tools you point at a host (for example a TCP connection to a port), which is whatever you asked for. Data stored by the app is kept in its private storage area.
Children
The app is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country).
Changes and contact
If this policy changes, the updated version is published at the same address with a new version number. Contact: Sumclartech@gmail.com.