Privacy Policy for StepShield Pro
Last Updated: April 27, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how StepShield Pro ("we," "our," or "the App") collects, uses, and protects your information. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. StepShield Pro operates primarily offline and does not require you to create an account.
1. Permissions and Data We Access
A. AccessibilityService API (App Monitoring & Blocking)
StepShield Pro requires the use of Android's AccessibilityService API to function.
- How we use it: We use this service strictly to detect when a protected application or system setting (like Android Settings) is brought to the foreground. This allows us to display our security overlay (PIN/Step challenge) to prevent unauthorized access or circumvention of your goals.
- Privacy Guarantee: We do not monitor your interactions within other apps, do not record your screen, do not log keystrokes, and do not collect any personal content. The data is processed locally in real-time and is never stored or transmitted.
B. Device Administrator API (Uninstall Protection)
The App uses the Device Administrator permission for its "Prevent Uninstall" security feature.
- How we use it: This permission is used solely to prevent the App from being uninstalled or stop the protection service without first passing a security challenge.
- Control: You can enable or disable this feature at any time within the App's settings. Enabling this requires explicit user consent through the system's security prompts.
C. Health, Movement & Sensor Data
We access your step count and physical activity data via the Health Connect API and device motion sensors.
- How we use it: To calculate your progress toward physical goals required to unlock restricted apps.
- Storage: All step records and movement history are stored locally on your device.
D. Mental & Time-Based Challenges
StepShield Pro provides various methods to control screen time, including quizzes, cooldown timers, and usage limits.
- Quizzes: We process your answers to educational or mental challenges locally to verify challenge completion.
- Usage Monitoring: We track the duration of use for shielded apps to enforce daily time limits (budgets) and cooldown periods. All usage statistics stay strictly on your device.
E. Biometrics & Local Authentication
When you set a PIN, pattern, or enable biometric unlock (Fingerprint/Face), this data is handled with extreme care.
- We store only encrypted hashes of your security credentials in the device's Protected Secure Storage. We never have access to your actual biometrics or raw PIN codes.
2. Third-Party Services (Advertising)
StepShield Pro uses Google AdMob to display advertisements. AdMob may collect certain device information (IP address, Advertising ID) to serve relevant ads according to its own policy: Google Privacy Policy.
3. Data Retention and Deletion
All your settings, step counts, and blocked app lists are stored locally. To delete all data, you can clear the App's data or uninstall the App (after disabling Uninstall Protection if active).
4. Children's Privacy
StepShield Pro is intended for general audiences and is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
5. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.
6. Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, please contact us.