Who we are
DocBlock (package name uk.co.sbrownit.sopgate) is an Android app made by Shaun Brown, a sole trader trading as SBrownIT, based in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. For the purposes of UK GDPR, Shaun Brown is the controller of any personal data described in this policy.
Contact: shaun.brown@sbrownit.co.uk
What the app does
DocBlock lets you choose apps on your own phone and puts a timed, auto-scrolling reading screen in front of them. You add your own PDF documents, and the app shows them for a set time before you can open the app you chose. Everything is your choice and you can turn it off at any time.
Data that stays on your phone
The app stores the following on your device only. None of it is sent to the developer or to any server run by the developer.
- The list of apps you have chosen to lock.
- Your settings, such as reading time and how long an app stays unlocked.
- Copies of the PDF files you add. These are kept in the app's private storage and are removed when you tap Clear PDFs, clear the app's data, or uninstall the app.
- Short-lived timers that record when an app was last unlocked.
We do not run an account system, we do not collect your name or email through the app, and we do not use analytics or crash-reporting tools of our own.
Permissions and why they are needed
- Usage access: lets the app see which app is currently in the foreground, so it knows when one of your chosen apps opens. This check happens on your device. The app does not record, store or send your app usage history.
- Display over other apps: lets the app bring its reading screen to the front the moment you open a locked app.
- Notifications and foreground service: Android requires a small ongoing notification so the gate can keep running in the background.
- Run at start-up: restarts the gate after you reboot your phone.
- Battery optimisation exemption (optional): stops Android from shutting the gate down.
- Internet access: used only to load advertising, described below.
- List of installed apps: the app reads the list of launchable apps on your phone to show the choose-apps screen. This stays on the device.
The app does not read the contents of other apps, your messages, your screen, or your files outside the PDFs you choose.
Advertising
DocBlock is free and shows small banner adverts provided by Google AdMob. To show adverts, Google may collect and process information such as your device's advertising ID, IP address, approximate location, and information about how you interact with the adverts. Google acts as an independent controller for this data. You can read how Google uses information from apps that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and Google's privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.
In the UK and European Economic Area, the app asks for your choice on first use through Google's consent form. You can choose personalised or non-personalised adverts, and you can change your choice later from the Ads section of the app settings, or through your phone's own Android advertising settings (Settings, then Google, then Ads). If you decline, you may still see non-personalised adverts or none, depending on your choice.
The legal basis for personalised advertising is your consent. The legal basis for running the app's core features on your device is that it is necessary to provide the app you installed.
Who we share data with
The developer does not receive, sell or share your personal data. The only third party involved is Google, for advertising as described above.
How long data is kept
Data held by the app remains on your phone until you clear it, clear the app's storage in Android settings, or uninstall the app. Data processed by Google for advertising is kept in line with Google's own policies.
Children
DocBlock is intended for adults and is not directed at children under 18.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have rights including access to your data, correction, erasure, restriction, objection and withdrawal of consent. Because the developer holds no personal data about you, most of these can be exercised directly on your phone. For data held by Google, use Google's account and ad settings. If you have a question about this policy, email shaun.brown@sbrownit.co.uk.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page with a new date.