Privacy Policy for SafeHer
Last updated: July 23, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how the SafeHer mobile application (“the App”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, stores, and protects information when you use it. SafeHer is a personal safety app that lets you send emergency alerts to contacts you choose.
By installing or using SafeHer, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
SafeHer is designed to keep as much of your data on your device as possible. We do not require account creation, and we do not sell or share your personal information with advertisers or data brokers.
1.1 Information you provide directly
- Emergency contact details — names and phone numbers you add in the Emergency Contacts screen.
- Custom SOS message — any custom alert text you choose to set.
1.2 Information collected automatically when you use core features
- Location data (GPS) — collected only when you trigger an SOS alert (via the SOS button, shake gesture, or floating SOS bubble), or when you manually choose “Share Location.” This is used solely to include your current location (as a Google Maps link) in the alert sent to your emergency contacts.
- SMS content and delivery — when you trigger an SOS or choose to share your location by SMS, the App uses your device’s SMS functionality to send a message containing your location to your saved emergency contacts. This message is sent directly from your device to your contacts’ phone numbers through your mobile carrier — it does not pass through our servers.
- Call data — when you use Quick Call or when an SOS is triggered from the floating bubble, the App places a phone call to your designated Primary Contact using your device’s dialer. We do not record, monitor, or store call audio or call logs.
- Microphone / audio recordings — if you enable audio recording during an SOS event, the App records audio locally to your device’s storage as a potential safety record of the event. These recordings are stored only on your device and are not automatically uploaded or transmitted anywhere. You control if, when, and with whom a recording is shared (for example, by using the in-app share option to send it via a messaging app).
- Contacts (read-only) — if granted, the App may read your phone contacts solely to make it easier for you to pick people to add as emergency contacts. Contact data is not transmitted off your device for this purpose.
- Device sensors (accelerometer) — used locally to detect a shake gesture that triggers an SOS. No sensor data is stored or transmitted.
1.3 Information we do NOT collect
- We do not collect analytics, advertising identifiers, or behavioral tracking data.
- We do not require or collect your name, email, or any account credentials.
- We do not access your photos, files, browsing history, or messages other than the SMS the App itself sends on your instruction.
2. How We Use Your Information
Information collected by the App is used exclusively to:
- Send your location and a distress message to the emergency contacts you configured, when you trigger an SOS or request to share your location.
- Let you quick-dial your chosen Primary Contact.
- Keep the shake-detection and floating SOS button features running in the background so they work when you need them.
- Automatically restart these protective features after your device restarts, if you previously enabled them.
- Optionally preserve an audio record of an SOS event locally on your device, for your own reference or to share as evidence at your discretion.
We do not use your information for advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to the safety features described above.
3. Data Storage
- Emergency contacts, your custom alert message, and app settings are stored locally on your device using Android’s private app storage (SharedPreferences). They are not uploaded to any server operated by us.
- Audio recordings (if enabled) are saved locally to your device’s storage.
- If you use an optional live-location-tracking feature backed by a third-party cloud database (e.g., a Firebase Realtime Database you configure yourself), your location updates during an active SOS session are stored temporarily in that database so a trusted contact can view them via a shareable link. This only applies if you have configured such a service; see Section 6.
Because most data stays on your device, uninstalling the App permanently deletes your emergency contacts, settings, and any local recordings.
4. Permissions We Request and Why
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Send SMS | Deliver the SOS/location alert to your emergency contacts |
| Location (fine/coarse) | Include your current location in an alert |
| Call Phone | Quick-dial or auto-call your Primary Contact during an SOS |
| Read Contacts | Optionally import a contact’s name/number when adding an emergency contact |
| Microphone | Optionally record audio during an SOS event, stored locally |
| Body sensors (accelerometer) | Detect a shake gesture to trigger an SOS |
| Display over other apps | Show the draggable floating SOS button |
| Post Notifications | Show the status notification while a protective service is running |
| Receive Boot Completed | Resume shake detection/floating button after a restart, if enabled |
You can grant or deny each permission at any time in your device’s Settings. Denying a permission may disable the related feature but will not stop the rest of the App from working.
5. Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Information is only “shared” in these ways, always as a direct result of your own action:
- With your emergency contacts — via SMS, phone call, or WhatsApp, only when you trigger an alert or explicitly choose to share your location.
- With WhatsApp — if you choose “Send via WhatsApp,” the App opens WhatsApp with your message pre-filled; WhatsApp’s own privacy policy governs the message once it is sent through that app.
- With a cloud database you configure — only if you set up and enable the optional live-location-tracking feature (Section 6).
We do not share information with advertisers, analytics companies, or data brokers.
6. Optional Third-Party Services (Live Location Tracking)
If you choose to enable live location tracking and configure your own Firebase (or similar) database URL in Settings, your location updates during an active SOS session will be sent to that third-party service so a trusted contact can follow your movement in real time via a link you send them. This feature is optional, off by default, and requires you to set up your own database instance. Data handled by that third-party service is subject to that provider’s own privacy policy and terms (e.g., Google Firebase’s Privacy Policy at https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy).
7. Children’s Privacy
SafeHer is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required by your local law), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the App, please contact us so we can address it.
8. Data Security
We take reasonable technical measures to protect information stored by the App, including keeping emergency contacts and settings in private, sandboxed app storage that other apps cannot access. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission (including SMS and phone networks) is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your Choices and Rights
- You can add, edit, or delete emergency contacts at any time in the App.
- You can disable shake detection, the floating SOS button, siren, or audio recording at any time in Settings.
- You can revoke any Android permission at any time via your device’s App Settings.
- You can delete all data created by the App by uninstalling it.
- If you are located in a jurisdiction with data protection laws (such as the GDPR or similar), you may have additional rights, including the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your information. Because SafeHer stores data locally on your device, you can exercise most of these rights directly within the App or by uninstalling it.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected by an updated “Last updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the App’s data practices, please contact us at:
Email: debdip.bc@gmail.com Developer: Debdip Bhanja Chowdhury