Privacy
Policy
DotFiles does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data, file contents, or usage analytics to any server.
All file operations — browse, copy, move, rename, trash, clean — happen entirely on your device. No network calls required.
No analytics SDKs, no advertising networks, no crash reporting services. DotFiles contains no third-party tracking code.
Scope and Application
This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use, and handling of information in connection with the DotFiles Android application ("DotFiles," "the App," "we," or "us"). It applies to all users of DotFiles regardless of the Android version, device model, or access mode selected during setup.
DotFiles is a local-only file manager application. Its purpose is to help you browse, search, preview, copy, move, rename, duplicate, delete, restore, and clean files and folders stored on your Android device. The App is not a cloud storage service and does not operate a server-side user account system.
Plain language summary — This policy exists to be transparent. DotFiles does not want your data, does not need your data, and has not built any infrastructure to receive it. Every operation the app performs stays on your phone.
Information We Do Not Collect
The following table documents the categories of data that DotFiles explicitly does not collect, transmit, or store on any server operated by or on behalf of DotFiles.
| Data Category | Examples | Collected? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal identifiers | Name, email address, phone number, device ID, advertising ID | ✓ Never |
| File contents | Document text, image pixel data, video streams, audio data | ✓ Never |
| File metadata | File names, folder paths, file sizes, modification dates, MIME types | ✓ Never |
| Usage analytics | Screen views, button taps, session duration, feature usage frequency | ✓ Never |
| Crash and diagnostic data | Stack traces, ANR reports, device logs sent to a remote server | ✓ Never |
| Location data | GPS coordinates, IP-derived location, network location | ✓ Never |
| Device information | Manufacturer, model, OS version, screen resolution transmitted externally | ✓ Never |
| Behavioral profiles | Inferred interests, browsing patterns, purchase behavior | ✓ Never |
DotFiles does not integrate any third-party analytics platform (including but not limited to Firebase Analytics, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Segment), advertising SDK, or crash-reporting service that would transmit any of the above data categories to external servers.
Local File Processing
To provide file manager functionality, DotFiles processes file information locally on your device. This processing occurs entirely within the application process on your hardware and is not transmitted externally at any point.
Local processing operations include, but are not limited to:
None of the above operations involve a network connection. The data processed exists only in your device's RAM and local storage for the duration of each operation.
Permissions Explained
DotFiles requires Android 11 (API 30) or newer. It declares a single storage permission, used exclusively for the stated purpose and for no other purpose.
No internet permission — DotFiles does not declare the android.permission.INTERNET permission in its manifest. This means the app is architecturally incapable of making outbound network requests, regardless of future code changes, until a new version explicitly adds this permission and a corresponding policy update is published.
DotFiles does not request permissions for contacts, camera, microphone, location, biometrics, or call logs. If a future version of the app requires additional permissions for new features, those permissions will be documented in an updated Privacy Policy before the feature is released.
Data Sharing & Disclosure
DotFiles does not sell, license, rent, trade, or otherwise share personal information with third parties because DotFiles does not collect personal information in the first place.
DotFiles does not upload files, file names, file paths, thumbnails, or any file-related metadata to a DotFiles-operated server or any third-party service.
Files may leave your device only through the following user-initiated actions, which are handled entirely by the Android operating system and the destination app you select — not by DotFiles:
DotFiles will comply with valid legal process — such as a court order or government subpoena — to the extent required by applicable law. Because DotFiles does not store or transmit user data, there is no user data in DotFiles' possession to disclose in response to such requests.
Network Access
The current release of DotFiles (v0.1.0) does not declare the INTERNET permission in its AndroidManifest.xml. As a result, the app cannot initiate any outbound network connection — this is enforced at the Android OS level, not merely a policy commitment.
DotFiles does not use any of the following network-dependent services in the current version:
If a future version of DotFiles introduces a network-dependent feature (such as Wi-Fi file transfer or cloud integration), the INTERNET permission will be explicitly added to the manifest and this Privacy Policy will be updated to describe the new network behavior before that version is released.
Local Storage & Retention
DotFiles stores the following data locally on your device, within the app's designated private storage directory:
All locally stored data is removed when you clear app data through Android Settings → Apps → DotFiles → Storage → Clear Data, or when you uninstall DotFiles. DotFiles does not retain any data on external servers after uninstallation because no data is ever sent to external servers.
Security
DotFiles relies on Android's built-in security model to protect local data. The app operates within Android's application sandbox, which isolates its private storage from other applications. Files in DotFiles' private storage directory are not accessible to other apps without explicit permission from the user.
Because DotFiles does not transmit data over a network, the attack surface for data interception is limited to the local device. We recommend standard device security practices: use a screen lock, keep Android updated, and only install apps from trusted sources.
Security incident disclosure — If a future version of DotFiles introduces a security issue that affects user data, we will review the issue, take appropriate corrective action, and update this policy or publish a notice when needed.
Children's Privacy
DotFiles is a general-purpose file management utility and is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). DotFiles does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Because DotFiles does not collect personal information from users, DotFiles does not knowingly receive personal information from children.
If a future version introduces account features, cloud services, analytics, or any other data collection, this policy will be updated before release to explain any child privacy implications.
Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights under applicable data protection law including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and equivalent legislation. These rights typically include the right to access, correct, delete, and port personal data held about you.
Because DotFiles does not collect, process, or store any personal data on external servers, there is no personal data in DotFiles' possession to access, correct, delete, or port. All file data processed by the app remains exclusively on your device and under your direct control.
Practical implication — You already have full control. You can remove all DotFiles data by clearing app storage or uninstalling the app. No request to DotFiles is required because DotFiles holds no data about you.
If you have questions about your rights or wish to make a data subject request, use the contact method listed on the official DotFiles distribution page once it is published.
Policy Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy when the App's behavior, permissions, data practices, or applicable legal requirements change. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document indicates when the most recent revision was made.
For material changes — particularly any change that involves introducing data collection, network access, or third-party SDKs — we will take one or more of the following steps before the changed version is released:
Continued use of DotFiles after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy. If you do not agree with a change, you may uninstall the app at any time.
Contact
For privacy questions, data subject requests, security disclosures, or general support inquiries, contact us using the details below. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 5 business days and to data subject requests within 30 calendar days.
DotFiles is an independent Android file manager application. DotFiles is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way connected to Nothing Technology Limited or its products, services, or trademarks. The Nothing name and Glyph interface are trademarks of Nothing Technology Limited.