Privacy Policy for BlinkWell
Last updated: November 12, 2025
Introduction
BlinkWell ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our eye health reminder application (the "App").
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Timer Preferences: Reminder intervals, custom timing intervals, and notification settings you configure
- Continuous Mode Settings: Auto-restart preferences, cycle tracking, and continuous timer configuration
- Usage Preferences: Theme settings, notification preferences, and app configuration choices
- Session Data: Timer session history, completion rates, and cycle count tracking (stored locally)
Information Automatically Collected
- Usage Analytics: Session duration, reminder frequency, continuous cycle counts, and app usage patterns (stored locally on your device)
- Device Information: Device type and operating system version for compatibility purposes
- Performance Data: App performance metrics, background timer behavior, and error logs for improving functionality
- Notification Interaction: User interactions with notifications (take break, stop timer) to improve reminder effectiveness
- Background Activity: Timer state persistence and continuous mode operation for seamless functionality across app sessions
How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information to:
- Provide Core Functionality: Schedule eye break reminders, manage timer sessions, and enable continuous timer operations
- Enable Continuous Mode: Automatically restart timers, track cycle counts, and maintain session state across app closures
- Personalize Experience: Remember your preferences, notification settings, and timer configurations
- Optimize Notifications: Use appropriate notification channels (regular reminders vs. continuous cycles) for better user experience
- Maintain Background Operations: Preserve timer state when app is closed and restore functionality when reopened
- Improve the App: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features, performance, and real device compatibility
- Ensure Reliability: Monitor app performance, track notification delivery, and fix technical issues
Data Storage and Security
Privacy-First Local Storage
- 100% Local Storage: All personal data, session history, and continuous mode settings are stored exclusively on your device
- Zero Network Transmission: No data is ever transmitted to external servers or third parties
- Complete User Control: Your information, including cycle counts and timer preferences, remains under your exclusive control
- Minimal Permissions: We request only essential permissions required for core timer and notification functionality
- Enhanced Local Security: Sensitive settings stored using Expo SecureStore with device-level encryption
Security Measures
- Secure Local Storage: Data is stored using encrypted local storage mechanisms (Expo SecureStore for sensitive settings, secure KV-store for session data)
- No External Dependencies: Zero reliance on cloud services or third-party data processors
- Permission Minimization: Eliminated unnecessary high-risk permissions (no foreground services, system alerts, or notification listeners)
- Real Device Optimization: Enhanced security and performance specifically optimized for real device environments
- Feature Access Control: Advanced features are hidden from users until fully tested and secure
- Regular Security Updates: Continuous security improvements and vulnerability patches
Permissions We Request
Privacy First: BlinkWell requests only essential permissions required for core functionality. We've eliminated all unnecessary permissions to protect your privacy and ensure faster app store approval.
Notification Permissions (POST_NOTIFICATIONS)
Purpose: Send eye break reminders and timer completion alerts
Usage: Display local notifications for health reminders
Control: You can disable notifications in device settings
Exact Alarm Scheduling (SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM, USE_EXACT_ALARM)
Purpose: Ensure timers and reminders trigger at precise times
Usage: Schedule accurate timer notifications for optimal health benefits
Control: Essential for core app functionality
Wake Lock & System Boot (WAKE_LOCK, RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED)
Purpose: Keep timers running accurately and resume after device restart
Usage: Maintain timer precision and restore scheduled reminders after reboot
Control: Essential for reliable timer functionality
Vibration (VIBRATE)
Purpose: Provide tactile feedback for timer alerts
Usage: Enhance notification effectiveness with vibration patterns
Control: Can be customized in notification settings
Battery Optimization (REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS)
Purpose: Prevent system from interfering with background timer operations and continuous mode functionality
Usage: Ensure consistent reminder delivery and reliable auto-restart of continuous timers
Control: Optional - you can decline this request (may affect timer reliability and continuous mode performance)
Notification Channels and Continuous Mode
Enhanced Notification System
BlinkWell uses multiple notification channels to provide targeted and appropriate notifications:
- Eye Break Reminders: Standard timer completion notifications
- Continuous Timer Cycles: Specialized notifications for auto-restarting timers
- Background Status Updates: Low-priority status information
Continuous Mode Operation
Purpose: Automatically restart timers for continuous eye health sessions
Data Used: Cycle count, session preferences, and timer state (all stored locally)
Background Activity: Maintains timer state when app is closed and restores on reopening
User Control: Can be disabled at any time in app settings
Third-Party Services
BlinkWell does not integrate with any third-party analytics, advertising, or data collection services. All functionality is provided locally on your device.
Recent Privacy Improvements (November 2025)
- Eliminated High-Risk Permissions: Removed unnecessary system-level permissions for enhanced security
- No Foreground Services: Uses efficient background processing without intrusive system services
- Streamlined Permission Model: Reduced permissions from 14 to 7 essential-only permissions
- Feature Access Control: Advanced experimental features are hidden from users until fully tested
- Enhanced Real Device Security: Optimized notification handling and background processing for real device environments
- Transparent Functionality: Users see only completed, tested features with clear privacy implications
- Google Play Compliance: Optimized for fast approval and user trust
Data Retention
- Settings Data: Timer preferences, continuous mode settings, and notification preferences retained until you uninstall the app or clear app data
- Usage Analytics: Session duration, cycle counts, and usage patterns stored locally for up to 30 days for app improvement
- Session History: Timer completion history and continuous mode cycles retained based on your configured preferences
- Notification Records: Local records of notification delivery and user interactions retained for 7 days to optimize timing
- Background State: Timer state and continuous mode status temporarily stored during app closure and automatically cleared after session completion
Your Rights and Controls
You have the right to:
- Access: View all data stored by the app in the settings menu, including cycle counts and session history
- Modify: Change or update your preferences, continuous mode settings, and notification preferences at any time
- Delete: Clear all app data, including session history and cycle counts, through device settings or app uninstallation
- Control Continuous Mode: Enable or disable continuous timer functionality and auto-restart behavior
- Notification Control: Customize notification channels, disable specific notification types, or turn off notifications entirely
- Export: Export your usage statistics and session data (planned future feature)
Children's Privacy
BlinkWell is safe for users of all ages. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The app provides health benefits suitable for all age groups.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify users of significant changes through:
- In-app notifications
- App store update descriptions
- Updated policy posted within the app
Health and Wellness
BlinkWell is designed to promote eye health through regular break reminders. While the app provides helpful reminders, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult with healthcare professionals for serious eye health concerns.