FreedomBudget: Privacy Policy
1. Who this policy covers
This policy explains how the FreedomBudget Android app handles information. It applies to FreedomBudget for both personal and shared (partner) budgets a shared budget uses the same FreedomBudget app for both the primary user and the invited partner; there is no separate partner app. By using the app you agree to this policy.
2. Our privacy-first model
FreedomBudget is a front-end for a budget spreadsheet stored in your Google Drive. When you set up the app, it creates a Google Sheets spreadsheet in your Google account and reads from / writes to it directly using Google’s APIs. There is no FreedomBudget server in the middle. Your transactions, balances, categories, and savings information are stored only:
- in the Google spreadsheet in your own Google Drive, and
- locally on your device (so the app can function).
We never receive copies of that data.
3. Information the app uses
a) Your Google account & permissions
To create and manage your spreadsheet, the app uses Google Sign-In and requests access to:
- Google Drive (per-file access
drive.filescope): lets the app create your budget spreadsheet and see only the files it created or that you open with it. It does not give the app access to the rest of your Drive. - Google Sheets: lets the app read and write the budget spreadsheet it created for you.
Your Google sign-in token is used on your device to call these Google services. We do not store your Google password (Google handles authentication), and the token is not sent to any server of ours.
b) Financial & budget data you enter
Amounts, descriptions, categories, dates, and similar entries are written straight to your Google spreadsheet. This information is manually entered by you FreedomBudget is not connected to any bank and does not import bank transactions. Your displayed balance reflects your own entries, not a bank account.
c) Information stored on your device
The app stores limited settings on your device such as your spreadsheet’s identifier, your display name, and your preferences (reminders, app-lock, automation options) using Android’s encrypted storage. This stays on your device.
d) Device permissions
- Notifications to send the reminders you enable (e.g. due-today/past-due, budget-ready). Optional.
- Biometric / device credential only to unlock the app if you turn on App Lock. We do not access your fingerprints or face data; this is handled by Android.
- Scheduled alarms to deliver daily reminders at your chosen time.
e) Analytics & crash diagnostics
To keep the app reliable, we collect anonymous, finance-data-free diagnostics via Google Firebase:
- App activity screen views and app-interaction events (names and counts only).
- Crash logs / diagnostics technical crash and performance data.
These reports never include your financial data no amounts, categories, descriptions, balances, spreadsheet identifiers, or email addresses. We use them only to operate and improve the app; we do not use them for advertising, and we do not sell them. You can turn this off any time in the app’s
Settings.
4. How we use information
The data you enter is used solely to provide the app’s features recording your budget in your spreadsheet, calculating summaries on your device, showing charts, and sending the reminders you’ve enabled. Because your data stays in your Drive and on your device, we do not use it for any other purpose.
5. Sharing your information
We do not sell your information and do not share it with third parties for advertising. Information is shared only:
- With Google, as the provider of the Drive/Sheets storage and sign-in you authorize (your data is handled under Google’s own terms and privacy policy).
- With a partner you invite (optional). If you use the shared-budget feature, the person you invite can view and contribute to the shared spreadsheet you grant them access to. Each entry records who added it. You control this by choosing to invite and you can remove a partner’s access at any time.
- If required by law, though note we do not hold your financial data to disclose.
6. Data retention & deletion
Because your budget lives in your Google Drive, you control it. To delete your data you can:
- delete the budget spreadsheet from your Google Drive at any time, and
- revoke the app’s access from your Google Account permissions page
(myaccount.google.com/permissions).
Uninstalling the app removes the settings stored on your device. Since we don’t store your data on our servers, there is nothing on our side to delete.
7. Google API Services Limited Use
FreedomBudget’s use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements. We only use Google user data to provide and improve the app’s budgeting features, and we do not transfer or sell it.
8. Security
Data in transit between your device and Google is protected by Google’s encrypted connections. Settings stored on your device use Android’s encrypted storage. Access to your spreadsheet is controlled by your Google account. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, but our architecture minimizes risk by keeping your data in your own Google account rather than on our servers.
9. Subscriptions & payments
If you subscribe, billing is handled entirely by Google Play. We do not collect or store your payment-card details; Google processes payments under its own terms.
10. Children’s privacy
FreedomBudget is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 where applicable). We do not knowingly collect information from children.
11. Your rights
Depending on where you live (e.g. the EEA/UK under GDPR, or California under CCPA), you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data. Because your budget data resides in your own Google Drive and on your device, you can exercise most of these rights directly by editing or deleting your spreadsheet and revoking access as described in Section 6. For any questions, contact us below.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We’ll revise the “Effective date” above and, for significant changes, provide notice in the app or store listing. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised policy.
13. Contact us
Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at support@freedomfinancialapps.com.