Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Habits ("the App") collects, uses, and protects user information. By using the Habits app, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Collected Data and Processing Logic
Habits is an app that provides a home screen widget displaying the applications the user is most likely to use at a specific moment. To offer this functionality, the App requires access to the following data:

• App Usage Data: The App accesses local system logs to identify which applications are used on the device, the duration of their usage, and the specific timestamps of access.

• Historical Usage Database: Since the Android system retains usage data for a limited time (typically a few days), Habits accumulates and stores this data locally over time to build a longer history (up to several months). This historical depth is essential for the accuracy of our statistical predictions.

• Installed Icon Packs: To allow visual customization of the widget, the App queries the device's system to detect installed third-party icon packs. The App only accesses the necessary resources (icons) from these specific packages to display them in the widget. This data is processed exclusively locally. 

How we use this data (Predictive Modeling):
Unlike simple usage counters, Habits employs local statistical models to analyze your past usage patterns. The App correlates your usage history with the current time slot to forecast and predict which apps are relevant for the current context.

Important: All collected data and the predictive processing are handled and stored exclusively locally on the user's device. No app usage data is transmitted to or stored on our servers, nor is it shared with third parties. 

2. Purpose of Data Processing
The data listed above is collected for the following exclusive purposes:

• Providing Predictive Functionality: The core purpose is to power the Habits widget, which dynamically updates to suggest apps based on probabilistic analysis of your habits in similar past time slots.

• Personalizing the User Experience: By distinguishing between different time slots and days, the widget delivers a personalized experience that adapts to your daily routine (e.g., suggesting news apps in the morning and entertainment apps in the evening).

3. Legal Basis for Processing
The processing of app usage data is based on the user's explicit consent. Upon the first launch, the App will request the user to grant the "Usage Access" permission via Android system settings.
Granting this authorization is optional but necessary for the widget to function. Without this permission, the App cannot access the required data to build the predictive model, and its main functionality will not be available.

The user may revoke this consent at any time by accessing their Android device settings and disabling the authorization for Habits. Revocation of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent given before its revocation.

4. Place and Method of Processing
As specified, app usage data is processed and stored solely on the user's mobile device. We do not perform any backup of this data on remote servers. Processing occurs automatically directly within the app installed on the device using on-device algorithms.
We adopt appropriate security measures aimed at preventing unauthorized access, disclosure, modification, or destruction of personal data stored on the device.

5. Data Retention Period
To ensure accurate predictions, Habits retains app usage data (solely) on the device for a longer period than the default Android system logs.
Retention Policy: We store usage history locally for a period of several months. This accumulation allows the statistical model to understand long-term habits and recurring patterns.
Data Deletion:

• Automatic: Old data that is no longer useful for statistical modeling is automatically overwritten or deleted.

• Manual: If the user uninstalls the Habits app, the entire database collected and stored by the app in the local DataStore is immediately deleted.

• User Action: Users can manually clear the app's storage via Android settings to reset the collected history.

6. Data Sharing
Habits does not share the user's app usage data with any third party. We do not have access to your data. Consequently, we cannot comply with any request from third parties or governments to provide your usage history, as we do not possess it.

7. User Rights
As a user, you have specific rights regarding your personal data, in accordance with the GDPR. Since the data is stored only on your device, you can exercise most of these rights directly:

• Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR): You can view the output of the data processing simply by observing the widget suggestions.

• Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR): Given the nature of the data (automated usage logs), manual rectification is not applicable, but the model self-corrects based on new usage.

• Right to erasure ('Right to be forgotten') (Art. 17 GDPR): You can delete all data collected by the app at any time by uninstalling the application from your device or clearing the app's storage in settings.

• Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR): You can stop data processing by revoking the usage access permission in your device settings.

• Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR): Updated: Habits provides a manual feature to export and import your usage history. You can generate a binary file containing your accumulated data to transfer your habits model to another device. [ Note: The user is responsible for the security of the exported file once it leaves the App's protected storage (e.g., if saved to a shared folder or cloud drive). ]

• Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR): You may object to processing at any time by revoking your consent.

For any requests or to exercise your rights, you can contact us at the provided email address.

8. Data Security
We are committed to protecting user data. Although data is stored locally, the app is designed not to expose it to other unauthorized applications or processes. However, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update our Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy in this section of the app and, if necessary, requesting new consent. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.