Overview
StepPause is a step counter app that processes all data entirely on your device. We do not operate servers, and no data is transmitted off your device to us or any third party.
Health & Physical Activity Data We Access
StepPause accesses the following health and physical activity data through your device's built-in hardware step counter sensor (Android TYPE_STEP_COUNTER):
- Step count data — the number of steps detected by your device's motion sensor, used to display your daily step count, track your walking history, and calculate estimated distance and calories burned
- Physical activity state — detected via the Activity Recognition permission, used solely to enable the optional auto-pause feature (e.g., pausing step counting while driving)
How this data is used:
- To display your real-time step count on screen and in the notification bar
- To maintain a history of your daily step counts
- To calculate estimated distance walked and calories burned
- To track progress toward your daily step goal
- To power the pause/resume functionality that lets you exclude steps from your count
Data Storage
All data — including step counts, walking history, settings, goals, and preferences — is stored locally on your device only, using an on-device SQLite database and Android SharedPreferences. No data is sent to any server.
Data We Do Not Collect or Transmit
StepPause does not collect, transmit, or process any data off your device. Specifically:
- No personal information (name, email, phone number)
- No location data
- No device identifiers or advertising IDs
- No usage analytics or telemetry
- No health data is transmitted to or shared with any third party
- No data is sold, traded, or transferred to advertisers, data brokers, or information resellers
Data Sharing
We do not share, sell, or transfer your health data, physical activity data, or any personal data to any third party. Your step count data and walking history never leave your device.
The only third-party service integrated into the app is Google Play Billing for processing premium subscription payments. Google Play Billing does not have access to your health or step count data.
Data Retention & Deletion
All your data is stored exclusively on your device. We do not retain any data on our servers because no data ever leaves your device. Your step count history is retained on your device for as long as you use the app.
You can delete your data at any time by:
- Clearing app data — go to Android Settings → Apps → StepPause → Storage → Clear Data. This permanently deletes all step history, settings, and preferences.
- Uninstalling the app — all locally stored data (step history, settings, preferences) is permanently removed when you uninstall StepPause.
Data Security
Your data is protected by Android's built-in application sandboxing, which prevents other apps from accessing StepPause's data. The on-device database is accessible only to the StepPause app. Since no data is transmitted over the internet, there is no risk of interception during transfer.
Permissions
The app requests the following Android permissions, each used solely for step counting functionality:
- Activity Recognition (ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION) — required to access the hardware step counter sensor and detect physical activity state. This is the source of all step count data in the app.
- Foreground Service (FOREGROUND_SERVICE) — required to keep step counting active when the app is in the background, ensuring accurate all-day step tracking.
- Notifications (POST_NOTIFICATIONS) — used to display your live step count in the notification bar as part of the required foreground service notification.
- Boot Completed (RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED) — optional permission to automatically restart step counting after your device reboots, so you don't lose steps.
In-App Purchases
Premium subscriptions are processed entirely by Google Play. We do not have access to your payment information, billing details, or Google account information. Subscription management is handled by Google Play's billing infrastructure.
Third-Party Services
- Google Play Billing — for subscription payment processing only (governed by Google's privacy policy). Google Play Billing does not receive any health or step count data from StepPause.
No other third-party services, SDKs, or analytics tools are integrated into the app. No data is shared with any third party.
Children's Privacy
StepPause is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. Since the app does not collect or transmit any personal data from any user, no special provisions for children's data are necessary.
Changes to This Policy
If this privacy policy changes, the updated version will be posted at this URL with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact
If you have questions about this privacy policy or how StepPause handles your data, contact: grzegorz.hul@gmail.com