Privacy Policy
This policy explains how StepGate handles your data.
Product model
StepGate is a free Android app. The free version can protect one selected app. An optional one-time StepGate Premium purchase unlocks protection for unlimited apps. StepGate has no ads or subscriptions.
Account model
StepGate does not require an account, login, or account creation. Because there is no StepGate account, there is no account deletion URL. Premium purchases are associated with the Google Play user that completes the purchase.
Introduction
StepGate helps limit access to selected apps and restore access through physical activity, mainly steps.
Data accessed
- App usage time on this device — to show a list of apps with approximate usage time, help you choose apps to control, and then track time in selected apps.
- App names and app list visible through Usage Access — to let you choose apps to control.
- Selected app list stored locally to apply limits to the apps you choose.
- Steps from the phone step sensor.
- Steps from Health Connect, only if you connect Health Connect yourself as a step source.
- First-day estimated steps, only if you manually enter an estimate during first-day setup.
- Permission states required for app features.
Permissions used
- Usage Access — to show a list of apps with approximate usage time, help you choose apps to control, and then track time in selected apps.
- Display over other apps — to show the limit screen over selected apps when access runs out.
- Activity Recognition — to count steps with the phone sensor.
- Health Connect step access — an optional step source, if you enable it yourself. StepGate reads step count only, does not write to Health Connect, and does not use background Health Connect access.
- Notifications / persistent background protection service — to keep protection visible and running where Android allows it.
- Battery optimization / autostart settings — optional system settings that help StepGate keep protection active in the background.
How data is used
- Calculate the access level for selected apps.
- Update daily access after new steps.
- Show a limit screen when access runs out.
- Help you adjust goals and app access locally on the device.
Storage, security, and sharing
Data is stored locally on your device. StepGate does not send app usage time, the app list shown for selection, selected app lists, step data, or Health Connect data to StepGate servers.
StepGate uses Internet access and Google Play Billing to load Premium product and price information, complete and acknowledge purchases, and restore purchase ownership. Google Play processes the Google account, payment method, purchase record, and related billing data under Google's policies. StepGate does not receive your payment-card details or Google account email address and does not operate its own purchase server.
Local StepGate data is protected by Android app sandboxing. StepGate does not operate a remote database or server-side user profile for app usage data, selected app lists, steps, or Health Connect data.
StepGate does not sell, share, or transfer app data, the app list shown for selection, selected app lists, usage data, steps, or Health Connect data to third parties. StepGate does not use ads, trackers, analytics SDKs, crash-reporting SDKs, Firebase, Sentry, or AdMob.
To delete local StepGate data, uninstall the app or clear the app data in Android settings.
Legal pages are opened in your external browser.
Health and medical disclaimer
StepGate is not a medical device or medical app. StepGate does not provide medical advice and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, medical condition, or addiction. Steps are used only to calculate access to selected apps.
What StepGate does not read
- Messages, chats, or email contents
- On-screen text in other apps
- Keyboard input or passwords
- Photos, files, or contacts
Contact
If you have questions: burteloffluther@gmail.com