PRIVACY POLICY FOR CHATCUT
At ChatCut, user privacy and data minimization are foundational design constraints. This Privacy Policy details the information processed when you use the ChatCut mobile application specifically available on the Google Play Store.
We do not collect, store, or transmit your contact numbers, chat history, or messages to any external servers. All chat redirects operate locally on your device.
ChatCut requires zero login or personal registration. You can initiate direct messaging instantly without sharing your name, email, or identity.
We partner with Google AdMob to display banner and interstitial ads under strict Google Play data safety standards and COPPA compliance.
01.INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND PROCESS
ChatCut is designed to open direct WhatsApp chats via deep-linking (`api.whatsapp.com`) without requiring you to add phone numbers into your device contact book. To achieve this:
- Locally Stored Preferences (Android DataStore): We locally store your app theme (Dark/Light mode), default country code preference, and optional recent dial history right on your device for quick access. This data never leaves your mobile device and can be cleared instantly by wiping app storage.
- No Personal Identification Information (PII): We do not collect or request your name, residential address, biometric records, or device phone number.
02.THIRD-PARTY ADVERTISING (GOOGLE ADMOB)
To keep ChatCut free to download and maintain, the application integrates third-party advertisements provided by Google AdMob (`com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads`).
- Advertising Identifiers: Google AdMob and its advertising partners may collect device identifiers (such as the Google Advertising ID), IP address, and non-personal telemetry metrics to serve relevant advertisements, prevent ad fraud, and measure campaign effectiveness.
- Google Privacy Policy: For more detailed information on how Google processes data across ad networks, please review the Google Ad Technologies Privacy Policy.
- Opt-Out & Reset: You can reset or opt out of personalized advertisements at any time by navigating to your Android device settings:
Settings > Google > Ads > Delete advertising IDorReset advertising ID.
03.DEVICE PERMISSIONS & INTENTS
ChatCut operates with minimal device privileges:
- INTERNET Access (`android.permission.INTERNET`): Required solely to load third-party Google AdMob advertisements and verify optional Google Play in-app updates (`com.google.android.play:app-update-ktx`).
- External App Intent:When you tap "Open Chat", ChatCut dispatches an Android Intent (`Intent.ACTION_VIEW`) directed to the installed WhatsApp application. ChatCut does not read or intercept any message payloads inside WhatsApp.
04.CHILDREN'S PRIVACY (COPPA COMPLIANCE)
ChatCut is a general audience utility application and does not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under the age of 13 (or applicable national age thresholds under COPPA and GDPR). If a parent or guardian discovers that any personal data was inadvertently captured by ad networks, please contact us immediately so we can coordinate its deletion with ad providers.
05.DATA DELETION & RETENTION
Since ChatCut stores user preferences (UserPreferences) exclusively on your local Android device storage via DataStore, you retain 100% control over your data lifecycle. You can permanently delete all stored preferences and recent numbers at any time by uninstalling ChatCut or selecting Clear Storage inside Android Settings > Apps > ChatCut > Storage & Cache.
06.CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect new feature integrations or regulatory compliance mandates. Any modifications will be published directly on this page (`https://hitensam.dev/chatcut/privacy`) along with an updated "Effective Date."
07.CONTACT & SUPPORT TELEMETRY
If you have questions, security inquiries, or data access requests regarding ChatCut, please contact the developer directly: