Ref Sensor Privacy Policy
In short: Ref Sensor keeps everything you enter on your own phone. There are no accounts, no ads, no analytics and no tracking. We (Fischer Interactive LLC) don't receive or store any of your information.
This policy covers the Ref Sensor app for Android ("the app"), published by Fischer Interactive LLC ("we", "us"). It explains what the app does with information and the choices you have.
What the app stores, and where
The app keeps what you enter only in the app's private storage on your phone:
- your cars (make, model, year, mileage, nickname, VIN or chassis number)
- repair procedures, including pages you import and text you paste
- jobs, notes, mileage and parts costs
- photos you attach to steps
This information is never sent to us or to anyone else by the app. We have no servers that receive it, and we can't see, recover or delete it for you.
What we collect
Nothing. The app has no sign-in, and it contains no analytics, advertising, crash-reporting or tracking software. It doesn't use your advertising ID or your location.
Permissions and phone features
- Camera. When you tap "Take a photo", the app opens your phone's camera app. The photo is saved inside Ref Sensor only. The app doesn't have the camera permission itself.
- Photos. "Choose from gallery" uses Android's photo picker, so the app can only read the photos you pick. A resized copy is saved inside the app.
- Microphone. Voice control is off until you turn it on in garage mode. Then you can say "next" or "back" to move between steps, and the app listens only while garage mode is open. If you allow microphone access, the app uses your phone's built-in speech recognition service to turn those words into text. The app doesn't record, store or send audio. The speech service is part of your phone (usually provided by Google) and follows that provider's privacy policy; the app asks it to work offline where the phone supports it. You can turn voice control off, or remove microphone access, at any time; the on-screen buttons always work.
- Voice search. When you tap the microphone next to the procedure search, Android's speech service (usually Google's) listens once and turns what you say into text for the search. The app receives only the words and doesn't record, store or send audio. The app asks the service to work offline where the phone supports it.
- Read aloud. If you turn on Read aloud in garage mode, the app has your phone's built-in text-to-speech service speak each step. The app only uses voices that work offline, so the text of your steps stays on the phone. You can turn it off at any time.
- Files. When you import saved web pages or restore a backup, the app reads only the files you choose.
- Internet. The app doesn't send your data anywhere. Google Play uses the network to handle purchases (see below).
Websites you open in the app
From Import pages you can open repair websites inside the app, and you can share a page to the app from your browser. Those pages load directly from the websites, like in any browser: the sites see a normal visit, may set cookies, and follow their own privacy policies. The app doesn't send them your cars, notes or photos. When you tap "Save this page", the page's text is copied into the app on your phone, and, if you leave "Include pictures" ticked, the app downloads that page's pictures from the same website and stores them with the steps. You can clear cookies and data from these sites at any time in Settings > Website data.
Videos you save to a procedure are stored as links. They open in the YouTube app or your browser, under Google's privacy policy; the app doesn't load or track them itself.
Purchases
The optional one-time purchase that unlocks unlimited cars and procedures is handled entirely by Google Play. We never see your payment details. Google Play tells the app whether you own the purchase, and the app checks this on your phone. Google's handling of purchases is covered by the Google Privacy Policy. Our Google Play developer account shows us standard order records (such as the order number, date and price), which we use only for refunds and accounting.
Backups
- Backup files you save. "Save backup file" creates a file containing your data and photos, saved wherever you choose (for example Downloads or a cloud drive). What happens to it after that is up to you and the storage service you pick.
- Safety backups. Before any restore, the app saves a copy of your current data inside its own private storage so you can undo the restore. The three newest are kept.
- Android backup. If Android's backup is turned on for your phone, Android may include the app's notes in your personal backup in your Google account, so they can come back when you set up a new phone. Photos and safety backups are not included. This backup is handled by Android and Google under your Google account; we can't access it. You can turn it off in your phone's settings (usually Settings > Google > Backup).
Keeping and deleting your information
Your information stays on your phone until you delete it. You can delete individual cars, procedures, jobs and photos in the app. Uninstalling the app, or clearing its storage in Android settings, deletes everything the app stored on the phone. Backup files you saved elsewhere are not affected, and you can delete them like any other file.
Children
The app is intended for adults and isn't directed to children under 13. It doesn't collect personal information from anyone, including children.
Security
Your data is kept in the app's private storage, which Android protects from other apps. Anyone who can unlock your phone can open the app, so protect your phone with a screen lock. Backup files aren't encrypted by the app, so store them somewhere you trust.
Changes to this policy
If we change how the app handles information, we'll update this page and the date at the top. Significant changes will also be described in the app's release notes on Google Play.
Contact
Questions about this policy or the app:
Fischer Interactive LLC
Email: support@fischerinteractive.com