Privacy Policy: ZipWise

1. Application & Developer Identification

This Privacy Policy specifically governs the mobile application ZipWise: Postal & PIN Code Finder (herein referred to as the "Application" or "ZipWise", bearing the Android package name com.jay.zipwise), created, developed, and published by Vaalee ("Developer", "we", "us", or "our") on the Google Play Store (Developer Profile).

This policy details our standards regarding the collection, handling, processing, and protection of user data in full alignment with Google Play Developer Program Policies, specifically the User Data and Location Permissions policy requirements.

2. Location Permissions & Technical Justification

ZipWise includes an on-demand feature that enables users to determine their current postal code, PIN code, district, state/province, and city using their device's physical position. To provide this functionality, the application requests the following Android runtime permissions:

• ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION (Approximate Location): Allows the app to determine approximate physical coordinates to query postal area boundaries.
• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION (Precise Location): Allows the app to determine exact physical coordinates for precise postal code and district resolution.

Strict Privacy Guarantees & Safeguards:

• On-Demand Triggering Only (Foreground Only): Location data is accessed only when you explicitly trigger a location-based lookup action (such as tapping the "Current Location" or "Locate Me" button in the search interface).
• No Background Location Access: ZipWise does not request or utilize ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION. Location services are never accessed when the app is minimized, closed, or running in the background.
• Ephemeral On-Device Processing: Coordinates (latitude and longitude) are processed ephemerally on-device or via secure reverse geocoding to resolve your postal code and city. Once the postal information is displayed, raw geographic coordinates are immediately discarded from active runtime memory.
• Zero Continuous Tracking: ZipWise does not record your movements, travel history, or real-time whereabouts over time.
• Zero Remote Storage: Location coordinates are never uploaded, logged, or stored on developer servers or remote databases.
• Zero Sale or Transfer: We never sell, rent, disclose, or trade your location data or device information to third-party data brokers, marketers, or analytics aggregators.

3. 📄 Privacy Policy Note (Recommended)

4. Information We Do NOT Collect

ZipWise operates under a strict principle of data minimization:

• We do not collect personal identifying information (PII) such as legal names, residential addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses.
• We do not require user account registration, profile creation, or social logins.
• We do not access or read your personal files, media photos, contacts, SMS messages, camera, or microphone.

5. Other System Permissions & Third-Party Services

To support functionality and standard app distribution, ZipWise interacts with the following Android services and platform libraries:

• INTERNET & ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Required to query online postal code directories and reverse geocoding endpoints over encrypted HTTPS connections, as well as to verify licenses via Google Play Billing.
• Google Play Services: Used for platform distribution, security integrity, and Google Play In-App Updates.
• Google Play In-App Billing: Handles optional in-app purchases (such as PRO lifetime licenses). All payment processing and financial transactions are managed directly and securely by Google Play. We never receive or store your credit card or payment information.
• Google Mobile Ads (AdMob): In the ad-supported version of the app, non-intrusive advertisements may be displayed. AdMob may process pseudonymous device identifiers (e.g., Google Advertising ID / AAID) to deliver ads in compliance with Google's Advertising Policies and the Google Privacy Policy.

6. Data Retention, Local Favorites & User Rights

Because ZipWise does not maintain remote user accounts, all user preferences remain on your local device:

• Local Search History & Favorites: Any postal codes or cities you bookmark as favorites are stored exclusively in your device's isolated application storage sandbox.
• Data Deletion: You can clear your search history and saved favorites at any time directly within the app settings.
• Complete Data Purge: Clearing the app storage in Android Settings or uninstalling the application permanently removes all saved data from your device.

7. Children's Privacy

ZipWise is rated for general audiences (Everyone) and does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. The application fully complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Google Play Families Policy.

8. Security Safeguards

We prioritize data protection. All internet communications (such as postal directory queries and geocoding requests) are transmitted exclusively over encrypted HTTPS/TLS connections. User preferences remain secure within Android's sandboxed filesystem.

9. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect modifications in application functionality, operating system requirements, or Google Play policy updates. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page indicates when the latest revision took effect.

10. Contact & Developer Inquiries

If you have any questions, feedback, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the ZipWise application, please contact the developer directly: