Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

AutoMeter collects only what is necessary to deliver its features. Below is everything the app may access or collect.

• Location data — accessed on-device when you use the GPS meter or map. Never uploaded to our servers.
• Account information — your Google display name and email if you choose to sign in for Community Reports.
• Report content — number plate, area, description, and optional photo when you submit a community report.
• App preferences — selected state, theme, language, and settings. Stored locally on your device only.
• Fare history — manual calculation history saved locally on your device only.

We do not collect contacts, messages, files, browsing history, or any data unrelated to the app's core functions.

How We Use Your Data

Every piece of data the app accesses serves a specific purpose. We do not use your data for advertising or profiling.

• Location data is used to track trip distance, calculate fare, detect your state, and verify map pins are within the selected state boundary.
• Your Google account details are used solely to identify you within the Community Reports feature.
• Report content you submit is stored and displayed to other users within the same state feed.
• App preferences are stored locally to restore your settings between sessions.

Location Data

AutoMeter requests access to your device's precise location. This is required for the GPS fare meter and map features.

• Location is processed entirely on your device. Your GPS coordinates are never sent to our servers.
• Location is only accessed when the app is open and in active use — not in the background.
• For routing, start and end coordinates are sent to public OpenStreetMap routing services (Valhalla / OSRM) to calculate a route. No personal identity is attached to these requests.
• For state boundary checks, coordinates are sent to the Nominatim geocoding service. No personal identity is attached.

You can revoke location permission at any time in Android Settings → Apps → AutoMeter → Permissions. This disables the GPS meter and map features but does not affect the manual fare calculator.

Google Sign-In

The Community Reports feature requires a Google account, authenticated via Firebase Authentication. When you sign in, we receive:

• Your Google display name
• Your Google email address
• A unique Firebase user ID

We do not access your Google contacts, Gmail, Google Drive, calendar, photos, or any other Google services. We do not receive your password.

You can sign out at any time from the Profile screen. All fare calculation features remain available without an account.

Community Reports

When you submit a report, the following is saved to our server and made visible to other signed-in users in the same state:

• Report type (overcharging, refusal, or meter tampering)
• Auto-rickshaw number plate
• Area or landmark
• Description (optional)
• Photo attachment (optional — moderated before becoming publicly visible)
• Your display name, state code, and timestamp

You may request deletion of any report you have submitted by contacting us. Deleting your account permanently removes all your reports and associated data from our servers.

Third-Party Services

AutoMeter uses the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy.

• Google Maps SDK — map rendering. Google Privacy Policy
• Firebase Authentication — Google Sign-In. Firebase Privacy Policy
• Valhalla & OSRM (OpenStreetMap) — routing. Only coordinates are sent; no personal data. OSM Privacy Policy
• Nominatim (OpenStreetMap) — state boundary verification. Only coordinates are sent.

The app does not include any advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs, or crash reporting SDKs.

Data Storage

Stored on your device only

• App preferences (state, theme, language, satellite mode)
• Manual fare calculation history
• Your display name and name-change timestamp

Stored on our server

• Community reports you submit, including any photos
• Your Firebase user ID linked to your submitted reports

Our server is hosted at tamilbrothers.dev. We apply standard security practices to protect stored data. However, no internet-connected system can be guaranteed to be fully secure.

Your Rights

You have full control over your data:

• Revoke location access — Android Settings → Apps → AutoMeter → Permissions.
• Sign out — Profile screen. Your local device preferences are not affected.
• Delete your account — Profile → Delete Account. Permanently removes your display name, all submitted reports, photos, and your account record from our servers. This cannot be undone.
• Change your display name — Profile screen, subject to a cooldown period.
• Request data access or deletion — email us at the address below. We will respond promptly.

Children

AutoMeter is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has submitted data through the app, contact us and we will remove it promptly.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy as the app evolves. When changes are made, this page will be updated. Continued use of AutoMeter after an update is posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.