LaunchWeather Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we, as the developer of LaunchWeather (referred to as "we," "us," or "the Developer"), collect, use, and protect your information when you use our application (package name:com.launchweather.realtime, collectively referred to as the "App"). We are committed to safeguarding your privacy while providing a personalized and functional home screen experience with integrated weather features. This policy may be updated periodically, so please check back regularly for changes.

1. Who We Are

• Data Controller: Lumora Studio, a personal developer
• Contact Email: whitefoxgamestudio123@gmail.com

As the Data Controller, I determine the purposes and means of processing your personal data.

2. Information We Collect and How We Collect It

We collect only the data necessary to provide and improve the App's functionality. Here's what we collect and why:

2.1 Types of Data Collected

Usage and Device Information:

• We automatically collect certain non-personal information about your use of the App, the type of device you are using, your device's unique identifier, operating system version, and the date and time of your usage.
• We also collect information about your interactions with the App, including the features you use, the content you access, and any errors or performance issues you encounter.

Location Information:

• LaunchWeather requests approximate location to localize weather. With your explicit consent, the app may access precise location (e.g., GPS) to improve accuracy. We do not request background location. You can disable location anytime in system settings; the app remains usable with reduced accuracy.

Crash Reports and Diagnostics:

• If the application crashes or experiences any technical issues, we may collect diagnostic information to help us identify and resolve the problem. This may include details about the crash, your device specifications, and any relevant system logs.

2.2 How We Collect Data

• Directly from You: When you enable the weather widget or grant permissions, including location access, which is required for weather functionality.
• Via Third-Party Services: We use Firebase, a tool provided by Google LLC, to process some data (see Section 5 for details).

2.3 Third-Party Attribution and Analytics (Adjust)

We use a third-party attribution and analytics service, Adjust, to measure advertising effectiveness, perform anti-fraud checks, and generate aggregated usage statistics. This service may independently process certain device and network information (such as device model, operating system version, IP address, and advertising identifiers), along with app installation and launch events.

For more information about how Adjust processes data, please refer to their Privacy Policy.

2.4 Data Anonymity

Where possible, your data is stored and processed anonymously. We cannot personally identify you except through approximate location (for weather) or device type (for crash reports).

3. How We Use Your Data

• We use the location information you provide to deliver accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts for your current location or any location you search for.
• We may also use your location data to provide personalized weather recommendations and insights based on your local conditions.
• Improve the App's performance and stability by analyzing crashes to reduce crash rates, enhance product stability, and support App optimization and iteration.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

User information collected through our Service is stored and processed using Google Firebase, which provides secure infrastructure for data storage. We implement SSL encryption during data transmission and utilize AES encryption to protect the content from unauthorized access or disclosure. The data is stored on secure, access-controlled servers managed by Firebase.

We apply commercially reasonable safeguards to protect user information and take steps such as requiring a unique password to verify user identity before granting account access. However, please understand that no system can guarantee absolute security. We cannot ensure or warrant the complete security of any information transmitted via the service or stored within it, nor can we guarantee that such information will not be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed due to a breach.

Storage Duration:

• Weather data is cached for one hour and updated automatically.
• User data is not retained on our servers beyond the period necessary for service functionality.

We encourage users to take responsibility for the confidentiality of their login credentials, including passwords and email communications. You are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your account information and controlling access to communication between you and the Service. We are not responsible for the security practices of third-party services.

Deletion of User Information

If a user deletes their account from the Service, all associated user data, including account information and user-generated content, will be deleted immediately in principle from our systems. This deletion is permanent and irreversible-restoration of user data after account deletion will not be possible.

5. Third-Party Data Processing

We rely on trusted third-party services to deliver the App's functionality:

5.1 Google Firebase Services

• Firebase Analytics: Tracks usage and crash data to improve the App.
• Data Collected: Android ID, Advertising ID, usage data, approximate location (IP-based).
• Processed by: Google LLC (United States) – Google Privacy Policy.
• Firebase Crashlytics: Monitors app crashes for troubleshooting.
• Data Collected: Android ID, Advertising ID, crash logs, approximate location.
• Firebase Performance Monitoring: Measures App performance.
• Data Collected: Usage data, technical details.

Google LLC acts as our processor. Where data is transferred outside your region, we rely on safeguards such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (for participating entities) and/or the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), as applicable.

5.2 Weather Data Provider

• We use AccuWeather to provide weather data when you enable the weather widget. Your approximate location is shared with AccuWeather, anonymized, and cached for efficiency.
• Privacy Policy: https://www.accuweather.com/en/privacy
• Cookies Policy: https://www.accuweather.com/en/cookiepolicy
• Terms of Use: https://www.accuweather.com/en/legal

5.3 Advertising Services

Advertising & Consent (EEA/UK)

Where required by law, we obtain your consent for personalized ads using a Google-certified Consent Management Platform (CMP) (e.g., Google User Messaging Platform). You can change your choices at any time in the app or system settings. If you opt-out, you may still see ads, but they won't be personalized.

• AdMob: Provides advertisements using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• AppLovin: Provides advertisements using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• Pangle: Provides advertisements using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• Facebook: Provides advertisements using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• Mintegral: Provides personalized advertising services using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• Unity: Provides personalized advertising services using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy
• Liftoff: Provides personalized advertising services using Advertising ID. Privacy Policy

5.4 Third-Party Data Analytics

• Adjust: Used for data analytics. Privacy Policy

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

• Third-Party Service Providers: We may share your non-personal information, including usage and device data, with third-party service providers who assist us in operating and improving the App, including cloud storage providers, analytics tools, and crash reporting services. These third-party providers are contractually bound to protect the confidentiality and security of your information.
• Aggregate and De-identified Data: We may share aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified data with third parties for research, marketing, or other business purposes. This data does not contain any personally identifiable information.

7. Your Privacy Rights

You have rights over your data, including:

• Right to Access: Request what data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data.
• Right to Object/Restrict Processing: Oppose or limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Obtain your data in a machine-readable format.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent where applicable.

How to Exercise Your Rights

• Email us at whitefoxgamestudio123@gmail.com
• Note: Since most data is anonymous, we may need device-specific details to process requests. For Firebase or advertising-related data, we may forward your request to the respective third party (Google LLC, AppLovin).
• Response Time: We aim to respond within 30 days, though complex requests may take longer.

How to Uninstall This Application

• Uninstall via Google Play: Open Google Play → Go to the app details page → Tap this app to uninstall.
• Uninstall via System Settings: Go to Settings → Apps → Find this Launcher → Tap 'Uninstall'.
• Uninstall from Another Launcher (If Not Set as Default): If the user has not set this app as the default Launcher, it will still appear in the app drawer of other Launchers (e.g., Pixel Launcher, One UI). Users can long-press the icon to uninstall.

8. Why We Need Access

8.1 App List Access

The core function of the Launcher is to display and manage all of the user's applications, therefore it is necessary to obtain the list of applications installed on the device. Specific uses include:

• Displaying the App Drawer: To show all installed applications in a user-friendly interface.
• Listing all user-installed applications for quick launch: Providing easy access to all applications.
• Creating Shortcuts: Allowing users to add application icons to the home screen.
• Search Functionality: Supporting global search for installed applications.

Starting from Android 11 (API 30), Google restricts the behavior of applications reading the installed application list. The default permission (GET_INSTALLED_APPS) can only see its own applications and some interacted applications. The Launcher declares QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES to see all applications, otherwise users will see an incomplete application drawer.

Please note that some integrated third-party SDKs (e.g., attribution or advertising partners) may perform limited access to installed applications for anti-fraud or attribution purposes. These behaviors are governed by their respective privacy policies and disclosed in this Privacy Policy.

8.2 Notification Permission

Our application may request permission to send you notifications, including weather alerts, system updates, and feature reminders. These notifications are intended to enhance your user experience by providing timely and relevant information.

You can control or disable notifications at any time through your device's system settings. We do not use notification permissions to access or collect any personal information. All notification content is generated locally or based on weather APIs and does not involve user identification or profiling.

We fully comply with applicable data protection laws and ensure that any use of notification permissions remains transparent, respectful, and user-controlled.

8.3 Location Access

LaunchWeather requests access to your device's approximate or precise location only when necessary to provide accurate and localized weather forecasts. Location data may be obtained via GPS, Wi-Fi, or cell towers, depending on the permission granted.

• Location access is requested only with your consent and can be disabled at any time in system settings.
• Location information is used exclusively for weather functionality and is not used for profiling, advertising, or continuous background tracking.
• If you deny or revoke location access, you may still use the application, but weather accuracy may be reduced.

9. International Data Transfers (GDPR Compliance)

If you're in the UK or EEA:

• Your data may be transferred outside these regions including to the US via Firebase, AdMob, Facebook or AppLovin.
• We ensure safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions are in place.
• Contact us for details on transfer mechanisms.

10. Children's Privacy

The App is not designed for children under 13. If we discover we've collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as needed. Changes will be posted within the App or via email (if provided). Significant changes requiring consent will prompt renewed approval.