1.
Introduction
Cholaraja R P ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how the OffGrid app collects, uses, and safeguards your information when you use the application.
2.
Data Collection & Usage
OffGrid is designed with privacy-first architecture. The app operates primarily offline and relies exclusively on on-device processing. We do NOT collect, transmit, or store your personal data on external servers.
- Location Data: Used locally for GPS tracking, offline maps, waypoint management, environmental monitoring (altitude-based weather estimation), and mesh networking peer discovery. Location data is never transmitted to remote servers.
- Mesh Chat (Ghost Grid): Messages and images are transmitted peer-to-peer using Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi Direct via Google Nearby Connections. No cloud servers are involved in message routing or storage.
- Contact Blocking: When you block a contact in Ghost Grid mesh chat, the block status is stored locally on your device. Blocked peers cannot send you messages.
- Sensors: Barometer, compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope data are processed entirely on your device for navigation and environmental awareness.
- Survival Articles & Warden AI: All 2,181 knowledge base articles are bundled offline in the app. Warden Q&A processing and local LLM inference are performed entirely on-device with no cloud AI services.
- Track History: GPS tracks and route data are stored in a local SQLite database on your device and are never uploaded.
3.
Optional Tips & Billing
OffGrid is free to download and use with all features included. Optional one-time tips are available to support ongoing development. Tips are processed through Google Play Billing. We do not receive or store your full payment information in the app.
4.
Notifications
OffGrid uses local device notifications (via Android AlarmManager / exact alarms) for:
- Incoming Ghost Grid mesh chat message alerts
These notifications are generated entirely on your device. No push notification servers are used.
5.
Permissions
OffGrid requests the following Android permissions:
Location (Fine / Coarse / Background)
GPS tracking, maps, weather, mesh discovery
Bluetooth (Scan / Connect / Advertise)
Ghost Grid mesh networking
Nearby Wi-Fi Devices
Wi-Fi Direct mesh transport
Camera
QR code scanning for mesh pairing
Notifications
Chat alerts
Vibrate
SOS emergency signaling
Foreground Service
Background GPS track recording
Internet / Network State
Map tile downloads (when online)
Exact Alarm (SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM)
Scheduled reminder notifications
6.
Third-Party Services
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OpenStreetMap / OpenTopoMap / CartoDB
For map tile data when downloading offline regions
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Google Nearby Connections
SDK for peer-to-peer mesh networking (no Google servers relay messages)
💚
Google Play Billing
In-app processing for voluntary support tips (consumable products)
📊
Google AdMob
Optional ads may be displayed. May collect advertising identifiers per Google's advertising policies.
We do not integrate any analytics, crash reporting, or user tracking SDKs beyond the advertising SDK listed above.
7.
Data Retention
All data (chat history, tracks, waypoints, preferences) is stored locally on your device. You can clear all app data at any time from Settings → Data & Storage → Clear App Data Usage.
8.
Children's Privacy
OffGrid is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
9.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected in the updated Effective Date above. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance.
10.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at: