Private Notepad Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 3, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Private Notepad ("the app," "we," "us," "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you use our Android application. By using Private Notepad, you agree to the practices described in this policy.


1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide
  • Support requests: If you contact us for support, we collect your email address and any information you include in your message, used solely to respond to your inquiry.
  • Account information: If you create a Private Notepad cloud account, we collect your email address to identify your account.
  • Notes content: The notes you create are stored locally on your device and, if you enable sync, in our cloud storage (see Section 2).
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
We use Google Firebase (including Firebase Analytics / Google Analytics for Firebase) to collect aggregated, anonymized usage data, which may include:
  • App version, device model, and Android OS version
  • IP address (used to derive approximate/coarse location, not precise location)
  • Locale/language preferences
  • Device identifiers (e.g., Firebase Installation ID)
  • Mobile carrier
  • Date/time stamps of app usage
  • System configuration information
  • In-app interaction events (e.g., features used, crash/error logs)
This data is used to improve app stability, performance, and features. It is processed by Firebase in accordance with Google's Firebase Privacy and Security policy.

1.3 Permissions and Why We Need Them

Permission

Purpose

Camera

To attach photos to notes and to capture a photo of anyone who enters an incorrect password/PIN ("intruder selfie"). 

Microphone (Record Audio)

To let you record voice notes within the app. 

Network / Internet access

To sync data with our cloud servers and to load advertisements.

Google Play Billing

To process purchases of Private Notepad Premium.

Biometric hardware

To let you unlock the app using biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or face) instead of a password.

Control vibration

Used for in-app haptic feedback.

Run at startup (Receive Boot Completed)

To restore scheduled reminders after your device restarts.

Schedule exact alarms

To trigger your reminders at the precise time you set.

Post notifications

To display reminder notifications to you.

Advertising ID (AD_ID)

Used to show personalized ads via Google AdMob (see Section 3).


Important note on the Camera permission and intruder photos: because this feature captures a photo of a person without their explicit awareness at the moment of capture, you are solely responsible for ensuring your use of this feature complies with the laws of your jurisdiction (including any wiretapping, surveillance, or biometric consent laws that may apply, particularly in "all-party consent" jurisdictions).


2. Cloud Storage and Data Sync
If you create a Private Notepad cloud account, your notes and account data are stored using Google Firestore.
  • All data is encrypted at rest using AES encryption.
  • All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted in transit via TLS/SSL.
  • We never sell your personal data and never share your personal data (including your account email, notes, or any other content) with third parties, except:
  • With your explicit prior authorization, or
  • Where required by law (e.g., a valid legal request from a government authority)
  • If your free cloud account is inactive for three (3) years, we may delete the account and all associated data. 


3. Advertising
Private Notepad may display ads via Google AdMob. We do not access, collect, or use your notes, account information, or any other data you provide to Private Notepad to show you ads. Ad personalization is handled entirely by Google using data from your Google account and device, as described below - Private Notepad itself has no visibility into or role in that process beyond loading the ads.
If you have not purchased Private Notepad Premium, AdMob may collect and use:
  • Your advertising ID
  • Device IP address
  • Cookie/identifier data
  • Ad interaction data (impressions, clicks)
to show you relevant ads and to prevent fraud and measure ad performance, in accordance with Google's AdMob privacy practices.
Ads may link to external websites; we are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of those sites.
Your choices:
  • You can opt out of personalized ads at any time from within the app via Settings > About > Personalized ads. This will re-display the consent form, allowing you to change your preference.
  • You can also reset your advertising ID or opt out of personalized (interest-based) ads at any time via Settings > Google > Ads on your device. These preferences apply across ad companies that participate in Google's ad personalization controls.
  • You can purchase Private Notepad Premium to remove all ads.


4. GDPR
Data Controller: Alexander Malikov PR Beograd (operating on Google Play as "Alexander Malikov")
Contact: support@privatenotepad.com
Address: Sarajevska 83, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
If you are located in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, the following applies to you.
Our legal basis for processing your data is: performance of a contract (providing the app's core features), your consent (e.g. personalized ads), and our legitimate interests (improving and securing the app).
You have the right to:
  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Correct inaccurate data
  • Request deletion of your data
  • Object to or restrict certain processing
  • Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@privatenotepad.com.


5. Children's Privacy
Private Notepad is not directed at children under 13 (or the relevant age of digital consent in your country), and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, contact us and we will delete it.


6. Data Security
We use industry-standard measures (AES encryption at rest, TLS in transit, access controls) to protect your data. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.


7. Data Retention
  • Notes stored only locally on your device are retained until you delete them or uninstall the app.
  • Cloud-synced data is retained until you delete it, delete your account, or your account is removed due to 3 years of inactivity (Section 2).
  • Aggregated analytics data is retained per Firebase's standard retention settings.
  • Separately from our own cloud sync, Android's built-in Auto Backup feature may back up your app data (including locally stored notes) to your personal Google Drive account. This is a standard Android OS mechanism, not something we control. It is governed by your device's backup settings and Google's own privacy policy, and the backed-up data is only accessible from your Google account. You can disable this in your device's system settings at any time.


8. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the app after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy please contact us at support@privatenotepad.com