We care deeply about protecting your privacy and want to be transparent about the permissions we request from our mobile app and how we use the data we collect. Our app’s core functionality relies on detecting nearby Smartpin BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices. Here's what we collect, why we ask for it, and how we handle your data:
Permissions We Request
On iOS and Android:
Bluetooth (BLE) Permissions:
We use this to scan for nearby Smartpin BLE devices in the background, even when the app isn’t open. This is essential to support the device-finding functionality.Location (Always On):
We ask for this to fetch your phone’s current location when a Smartpin BLE device is detected nearby.This location is only ever linked to the Smartpin device and not associated with your phone or identity.
We do not store or track your phone’s location. Instead, the location data is attached only to the BLE device's broadcast packet and sent to our backend to help locate that specific Smartpin device.
Push Notifications:
These are currently used to let you know if the app has been closed, and you need to reopen it so background scanning can resume.We don't send any marketing or promotional notifications—just important updates related to functionality.
On Android Only:
Battery Optimization (Unrestricted):
Android aggressively limits background activity to preserve battery life. To ensure the app continues scanning for BLE devices in the background, we request that you disable battery optimization for our app.Without this, the app might be shut down by the system, and BLE scanning could stop working.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
We’ve designed our app with privacy at its core. Here’s what that means in practice:
We do not track your personal location over time
We do not store any identifying information about your phone along with your location
We do not sell your data or use it for advertising purposes
Your data is handled securely, and your privacy is protected by design
Common Questions You Might Have
Q: Can you see where I’ve been or track me personally?
A: No. We never store your phone’s identifier along with location data, which means we can’t track your movement or link any location to you personally.
Q: Why does location need to be “always on”?
A: BLE scanning happens in the background, and we need your location at the moment a Smartpin device is detected. This helps in accurately locating the Smartpin—not you.
Q: Why am I getting a notification to reopen the app?
A: Some phones automatically stop background processes to save battery. If scanning stops, we’ll notify you so you can reopen the app and keep things running smoothly.
Q: Will this app drain my battery?
A: We’ve optimized background scanning to use minimal resources, but it may use slightly more battery than an app that doesn’t scan for BLE devices. Setting battery optimization to “unrestricted” ensures reliable operation.
Let us know if you have any other questions. We’re committed to transparency, user privacy, and giving you full control over your data.