TorchCompass privacy policy
Torch & Compass is a set of tools for your phone: a flashlight, a screen light, a compass, a level, a Morse code flasher and sensor readouts. The app has no account, no sign-in and no servers of its own. The publisher does not receive, store or sell any information about you from the app itself. The only exception is the advertising described below, which is run by Google.
Data on your device
The app saves a small set of settings in its private storage so your choices are remembered. Nothing in this list is uploaded by the app:
- your home-screen layout, tile colours and light/dark theme;
- torch brightness step, strobe rate, auto-off time and whether a steady light stays on when you leave the app;
- screen-light colour, temperature, brightness and flash rate;
- compass choices (magnetic or true north, a locked heading or bearing) and, if you set one, the magnetic declination number;
- level calibration offsets;
- your last Morse message, its speed and output choices, and the speed for tap decoding;
- metal-detector sensitivity and your sea-level pressure reference.
Sensor readings (compass, accelerometer, gravity, magnetic field, light, pressure) are used live to draw the screen and are not stored or sent anywhere. Morse you tap by hand is kept in memory only while the app is running.
Safety notice
Flashing light (strobe, SOS, Morse and screen flash) can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. The app asks you to acknowledge this before flashing starts. The compass, level and sensors are consumer-grade tools; do not rely on them for navigation in dangerous conditions, aviation, engineering or emergencies.
Advertising and consent
The app shows a banner ad on the home screen only, never inside a tool. Ads are served by Google AdMob. Google may collect and use information such as your device's advertising ID and other device identifiers, IP address (from which an approximate location may be inferred), and approximate location if you have granted the optional location permission, app interactions and diagnostics to serve, measure and secure ads. Where the law requires it (for example in the EEA, UK and some US states) you are asked for consent through Google's User Messaging Platform before personalised ads can be shown, and you can change your choice later in the app under Customize, Ad privacy choices. Google's use of data is described in its advertising policies and privacy policy. You can reset or opt out of personalised ads in your Android settings. If you grant the optional location permission, Google's advertising software running inside the app may be able to use it as in any app; you can withdraw the permission at any time in Android settings.
Retention and deletion
The settings above live only on your phone. Uninstalling the app, or clearing its storage in Android settings, deletes them. Because the publisher holds no data about you, there is nothing to delete on our side. For data held by Google for advertising, use the controls in your Google account.
Permissions
| Permission | Why |
|---|---|
| Approximate location (optional) | Only if you tap "Find declination from my location" in the Compass tile's True north tab. The app asks at that moment, explains why, and works fully without it (you can type the declination yourself). Your approximate position is used once to calculate the magnetic declination with Android's built-in geomagnetic model, then discarded. Only the resulting declination number (for example 4.2° E) is saved. The app's own code never stores, logs or sends your location. Because the ads software runs in the same app, Google's ads software may be able to use this permission if you grant it; see Advertising below. |
| Internet and network state | Used only by Google's advertising and consent components (see Advertising). None of the tools need the internet. |
The app does not request the camera permission. The flashlight uses Android's torch switch, which needs no camera access, and the app never takes photos or video. It does not request microphone, contacts, SMS, call log, storage or background location access.
The auto-off timer uses a standard Android alarm that needs no special permission. Android does not require a permission for the compass, motion, light and barometer sensors.
Security
The app stores only the settings listed above, in private app storage that other apps cannot read. Network traffic is limited to Google's advertising components and uses encrypted connections.
Children
The app is a general-purpose tool and is not directed at children under 13. It does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
If the app's data handling changes, this page will be updated and the date above changed.
Contact
SumClarTech, Sumclartech@gmail.com.