1 Introduction & Scope
Welcome to the Privacy Policy of FlipCards ("the App", "we", "us" or "our"), an Android utility application developed and maintained by EkaAi Technologies.
This Privacy Policy explains the operational mechanics of the FlipCards Android mobile application (Package Identifier: com.flipcards) and its companion website (https://flipcards.ekaai.tech).
We firmly believe that personal utilities must respect individual privacy by design. FlipCards was engineered from the ground up as a fully client-side, offline-first application that requires no personal information, no account creation and no persistent external network communication to function.
2 Zero-Data Collection Principle
Our guiding rule is straightforward: what we do not collect cannot be intercepted, leaked or misused.
When you download and use FlipCards:
- No Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is gathered: We never ask for your name, email address, phone number, physical address, birthdate or social security details.
- No Device or Hardware Identifiers are transmitted: We do not capture or broadcast IMEI numbers, MAC addresses android Advertising IDs (AAID) or hardware serials.
- No Location Data: FlipCards does not request GPS, coarse location or Wi-Fi triangulation permissions.
- No External Telemetry or Analytics: We do not log which wallpapers you choose, how frequently you flip or when you switch themes.
FlipCards does not maintain user databases, authentication backends or cloud storage servers. Every feature of the app functions completely offline on your own Android device.
3 Android Permissions & Justifications
Under Google Play Developer Policies and Android OS security frameworks, certain capabilities require explicit Android system permissions. Below is a complete and transparent audit of every permission declared in FlipCards (AndroidManifest.xml), why it is required and how it is scoped strictly on your device:
| Permission Name | Manifest Identifier | Why FlipCards Needs It | Data Handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set Wallpaper | SET_WALLPAPER | Allows the app to apply your selected wallpaper image to your home screen or lock screen when a flip gesture is detected. | 100% Local |
| Package Usage Stats | PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS | Used exclusively for Smart Launcher Detection to check if the current active screen is your home desktop (launcher) before changing wallpapers. | In-Memory Only |
| Read Media / Storage | READ_MEDIA_IMAGES READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE |
Enables you to browse and select images from your device photo library to import them into FlipCards wallpaper decks. | User Chosen Only |
| Foreground Service | FOREGROUND_SERVICE FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE |
Required on Android 14–16 to run the native Kotlin background flip detector (FlipDetectorService) with an ongoing status notification. |
System Service |
| Post Notifications | POST_NOTIFICATIONS | Displays an ongoing foreground notification informing you that the flip gesture listener is actively running in the background. | System UI |
| Boot Completed | RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED | Automatically restarts the gesture detection service when your device finishes rebooting (if enabled by you in app settings). | OS Event |
| Wake Lock & Battery | WAKE_LOCK REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS |
Ensures the background service is not killed prematurely by aggressive OEM battery task killers (e.g., Xiaomi MIUI, Samsung One UI, Oppo ColorOS). | User Optional |
| Internet Access | INTERNET | Default React Native engine dependency used during development. In production builds, no user data, wallpaper files or telemetry are ever uploaded or transmitted. | Zero Uploads |
4 Smart Launcher Detection & Usage Access
One of FlipCards' hallmark features is Smart Home Screen Detection. When you flip or shake your phone, you do not want your wallpaper switching if you are actively composing an email, playing a game or browsing a browser tab.
To solve this, FlipCards requests PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS (Usage Access). Here is our strict commitment regarding this sensitive permission:
- Real-Time RAM Evaluation: When an accelerometer flip event triggers, the Kotlin service queries Android's
UsageStatsManagerfor the name of the foreground package. - Launcher Matching Only: The package name is compared against known home screen launcher categories (such as Google Pixel Launcher, Samsung One UI Home, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Niagara, etc.).
- Zero Logging or History: FlipCards never records your app usage patterns, does not log how long you spend in other apps, does not keep browsing histories and does not transmit application usage to any entity.
- Immediate Disposal: Once the boolean check (
isHomeLauncher == true) resolves, the package string is immediately discarded from memory.
Usage Access is entirely optional. If you choose not to grant Usage Access, FlipCards will simply cycle your wallpaper whenever the physical gesture triggers regardless of what app is on screen. You maintain complete control in your Android System Settings.
5 Accelerometer & Sensor Processing
FlipCards detects physical horizontal flips and shakes using the device's built-in accelerometer sensor:
- Low-Power Sampling: Sensor listeners use low-frequency sensor delays with mathematical debouncing to minimize battery drain.
- In-Memory Math: Sensor vectors (X, Y, Z axis calculations) are evaluated transiently using native React Native worklets and Kotlin listeners.
- No Motion Recording: We do not log, reconstruct or store continuous accelerometer traces. No biometric profiling or gait analysis is conducted.
6 Photos, Media & Storage Handling
When you organize wallpapers into collections, FlipCards accesses images on your device:
- Scoped File Access: FlipCards only accesses the specific images you select through Android's standard photo picker or document selector. We do not index or scan your private photo albums, camera rolls or document directories.
- Local Sandboxing: Imported images or references are managed within the application's private sandbox storage directory (
/data/data/com.flipcards/). No other application on your device can access FlipCards' private files. - Zero Cloud Sync: Your photos and wallpapers are never uploaded to any remote server or third-party service.
7 Background Service & Battery Optimization
To reliably catch flip gestures when your screen is on, FlipCards operates a lightweight Android Foreground Service (FlipDetectorService).
- Persistent Notification: In accordance with Google Play policies, an ongoing notification is visible in your notification shade while the service is active, ensuring you are always aware the sensor listener is active.
- Stop Anytime: You can pause or stop the background service at any moment with a single toggle inside the FlipCards app or via the notification action button.
- Battery Optimization Exceptions: If prompted to disable battery optimization, this is exclusively used to keep Android's WorkManager and sensor listeners from being terminated by OEM task killers. No unauthorized background activity takes place.
8 Third-Party Services & External Links
FlipCards maintains a strict policy regarding external integrations:
- No Advertising SDKs: FlipCards contains no advertising code, banners, interstitials or reward ads (no Google AdMob, Unity, AppLovin, etc.).
- No Tracking SDKs: FlipCards contains no analytics SDKs (no Firebase Analytics, Mixpanel, AppsFlyer or Adjust).
- External Links: The App and this Website contain links to external sites (such as GitHub, Google Play Store, WhatsApp and EkaAi Technologies). When clicking these links, you leave our environment. Their respective privacy policies govern your interactions on those platforms.
9 Children's Privacy (COPPA & Global Compliance)
Protecting the privacy of young children is critically important. FlipCards is a general utility application intended for audiences of all ages, including users under 13 years of age.
Because FlipCards does not collect, store, transmit or share any personal information whatsoever, the app complies fully with the United States Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR Article 8) and equivalent international child privacy frameworks.
If a parent or guardian has questions regarding their child's use of FlipCards, they are welcome to contact us directly at contact@ekaai.tech.
10 Data Retention, Security & Deletion
Because all application data is stored purely on your physical hardware, you maintain complete data sovereignty:
- Deleting Collections: Deleting a collection or image inside FlipCards instantly removes the record from the local SQLite database.
- Clearing App Data: You can wipe all preferences and collections at any time via Android Settings > Apps > FlipCards > Storage > Clear Storage.
- Uninstalling the App: Uninstalling FlipCards triggers an automatic, total purge of the application sandbox directory, erasing all metadata, local files and cache immediately.
11 User Rights (GDPR, UK GDPR & CCPA/CPRA)
International data protection regulations grant users key rights, including the Right of Access, Right to Rectification, Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"), Right to Restrict Processing and Right to Data Portability.
Under FlipCards' architecture:
- No Remote Data Exists: We hold no records of your identity or usage on our servers, which means there is no remote profile to request, modify or delete.
- Complete Physical Control: You retain instantaneous and autonomous execution of these rights directly through your device controls.
- Non-Discrimination: We do not sell, rent or monetize personal data, ensuring complete compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).
12 Google Play Store Policy Disclosures
To ensure full compliance with Google Play's Developer Program Policies, User Data Policy and Target API Level 36 Requirements, we affirm that:
- Personal and Sensitive User Data: FlipCards does not collect or transmit sensitive personal data off-device. All permissions are prominently disclosed before use.
- Device & Network Abuse: FlipCards does not interfere with other apps, bypass system security or perform unauthorized background downloads.
- Foreground Service Justification: The foreground service is designated with the appropriate service type (
specialUse) to fulfill user-initiated physical motion gesture listening for home screen personalization.
13 Amendments to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect modifications in Android platform requirements, new features in FlipCards or applicable legal guidelines.
Any changes will be posted directly to this URL (https://flipcards.ekaai.tech/privacy-policy.html) with an updated "Effective Date" at the top of this document. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
14 Contact Information & Support
If you have any questions, concerns, feedback or legal inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or FlipCards' data practices, please reach out to us through any of the following channels: