Privacy Policy — ABC PDF Tools
Effective date: TBD (to be set on launch) · Last updated: April 2026
This policy describes how the ABC PDF Tools mobile application ("the app", "we") handles information when you use the app on Android. The app is published as a freemium utility for working with PDF files.
By installing or using the app you accept the terms of this policy. If you do not agree, do not install or use the app.
1. Summary
- The app processes your files entirely on your device. PDFs and images you select never leave your phone.
- We do not require an account, email, or any sign-in.
- We do not collect personal data on our own servers because we do not run any servers.
- Third-party SDKs (analytics, crash reporting, advertising, in-app purchases) collect limited technical data subject to their own privacy policies, listed below.
2. What the app does with your files
When you pick a PDF or image with the system file picker:
- The file is read from local storage using Android Storage Access Framework permissions.
- All processing (merge, split, watermark, page numbers, password, conversion, etc.) runs in the app's process.
- The resulting file is written to a folder you choose, or to
Download/PDFTools/for the app's own outputs. - Recent operations are recorded in a local database (
pdftools.db) for the History screen. This database is on the device and is removed when the app is uninstalled.
The app does not upload, transmit, or copy your files anywhere outside the device.
3. Permissions used
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
INTERNET / ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE | Required by ad and analytics SDKs (premium users: unused). |
CAMERA | Document scanner feature (Google ML Kit). |
FOREGROUND_SERVICE (DATA_SYNC) | Run heavy PDF operations in background reliably. |
POST_NOTIFICATIONS | Show progress / completion of background operations. |
WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (≤ Android 9) | Legacy fallback to write to Download/ on older devices. |
The app does not request location, contacts, calendar, microphone, or SMS access.
4. Data collected by third-party services
ABC PDF Tools integrates the following SDKs. Each provides its own privacy notice; please consult the linked documents.
Firebase Crashlytics & Analytics (Google)
- Purpose: record application crashes and aggregate usage events to improve stability and product decisions.
- Data collected: device model, OS version, app version, language, locale, anonymous installation ID, screens viewed, generic event names (e.g.
merge_completed). No file contents, no file names, no personal identifiers. - Retention: managed by Google.
- Notice: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
Google AdMob
- Purpose: serve ads to free-tier users.
- Data collected: advertising ID (if not opted out by the user), IP address, ad interaction events.
- Notice: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
- Consent (EU/UK/Switzerland): the app shows a consent form via Google's User Messaging Platform on first launch, allowing you to accept or decline personalized ads.
Google ML Kit Document Scanner
- Purpose: the optional document scanner feature.
- Data: runs entirely on-device; no images leave the phone.
- Notice: https://developers.google.com/ml-kit/terms
RevenueCat
- Purpose: manage in-app purchases and subscriptions.
- Data collected: anonymous user ID (random, generated by the SDK), device platform, subscription status, purchase events.
- Notice: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy
Google Play Billing
- Purpose: process subscription and one-time purchases.
- Data: handled by Google Play directly; we never see your payment method.
- Notice: https://policies.google.com/privacy
5. Crash logs
The app keeps a local plain-text crash log (crashes.log) inside its private storage, capped at 1 MB. It contains stack traces and device metadata. It is never uploaded automatically. From Settings → Support you can:
- Export crash log — share the file via the system share sheet (you choose the destination).
- Clear logs — delete the local file.
6. Children
The app is intended for users 13 years or older. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If a parent or guardian believes their child has used the app and provided data through a third-party SDK, contact us using the address in section 9 to request deletion to the extent we can act on it.
7. Your rights (GDPR / CCPA / LGPD / similar)
Because the app does not collect personal data on our servers, most data-subject requests are satisfied by:
- Uninstalling the app — removes the History database, crash logs, cached image-to-PDF outputs, and any stored preferences.
- Resetting the advertising ID — done from Android system settings (Privacy → Ads).
- Withdrawing ad consent — re-open the consent dialog from Settings (when the AdMob integration is live).
Requests addressed to third-party SDK vendors should be directed to those vendors using the links in section 4.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this document for new features, regulatory changes, or new SDKs. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the current revision. Material changes will be communicated via release notes on the Play Store listing.
9. Contact
For privacy questions, write to: pdftools@abcsyg.com.