Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how 2 Bears Software Limited (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles personal data when you use Stop Barking: Audio Deterrent (“the App”). The App provides ultrasonic audio deterrent tones and automatic bark detection to help dog owners humanely manage excessive barking.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable data protection laws worldwide. Most core bark detection functions operate on your device. However, the App also uses certain third‑party services, including Google Firebase and Google AdMob, which may collect or receive limited technical, usage, device, and trial‑management data as described below.

2. Microphone Access

The App requests permission to access your device’s microphone. This permission is used solely for the following on‑device purposes:

• Detecting dog barking sounds using on‑device AI (Auto Bark Detection mode)
• Displaying a real‑time audio waveform and spectrum visualisation in the app
• Measuring ambient sound to determine when barking has stopped

Microphone audio is processed entirely on your device. When a bark is detected in Auto Detect mode, the App saves a short audio clip (approximately one second) and a classification log to your device’s local storage. These files are stored in the App’s private external files folder, are accessible to you via the Bark History screen, and are never uploaded or transmitted to us or any third party. All microphone processing ceases immediately when you stop the detection service.

3. Data We Collect

3.1 Data Not Collected by Us Through the App’s Core Bark Detection Features

The App’s core bark detection and deterrent functions do not collect, store, transmit, or access the following through our own bark detection processing:

• Names or contact details
• Email addresses
• Audio recordings transmitted to us or any third party
• Photos or videos
• Device files or folders
• User accounts or login information
• Payment information (handled solely by Google Play)

However, as described elsewhere in this Policy, third‑party SDKs and services used by the App may process device identifiers, approximate location, app activity, diagnostics, crash data, and trial‑management records.

3.2 Local Data Stored on Your Device

The App stores the following data locally on your device only, using Android’s standard SharedPreferences and local database storage:

• Your selected tone frequency preference
• Any custom names you assign to tone buttons
• A log of bark detection events (timestamp, frequency used, and duration)
• Short audio clips (~1 second WAV files) captured at the moment of each detected bark, stored in the App’s private external files folder
• Classification log files accompanying each audio clip, listing the AI’s sound analysis scores for diagnostic purposes
• Consent acknowledgement timestamps for the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
• Settings relating to bark detection sensitivity, enabled frequencies, and reward / ad status
• Local indicators showing whether ads have been removed or a temporary ad-free reward period is active
• App settings and preferences

This data never leaves your device. It is not transmitted to us or any third party.

3.3 On‑Device AI Processing

The App uses the YAMNet audio classification model, provided by Google and running entirely on your device via the MediaPipe Tasks framework. This model analyses microphone audio in real time to identify dog barking sounds.

• All AI processing is performed locally on your device
• No audio data is sent to Google, us, or any other party
• The model file is bundled within the App and does not make network requests

3.4 Trial Management Data

The App uses Firebase Firestore to manage free trial eligibility and help prevent repeated trial resets caused by uninstalling and reinstalling the App. For this purpose, the App may transmit and store limited trial‑management data on Google Firebase servers.

• A device‑linked identifier derived from Android ID
• Trial start / trial granted timestamp
• First seen timestamp
• Last seen timestamp

This data is used only to determine whether a free trial is active or expired, and to maintain trial continuity across reinstalls. We do not use this data to identify you by name or contact you. However, because Android ID is a device‑linked identifier, it may be treated as personal data or personal information under some laws.

4. Anonymous Analytics and Crash Reporting

The App uses Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics, services provided by Google, to collect anonymous technical data. This helps us understand general usage patterns and diagnose technical issues.

Firebase services used by the App may collect or receive:

• Device model and operating system version
• App version and installation source
• Anonymous app‑instance identifier
• Device identifiers such as the Advertising ID
• Country‑level location (approximate, not precise)
• Session data (e.g., number of sessions, session duration, first opens, app updates)
• Screen views and general feature usage
• Performance data such as load times and stability metrics
• Crash logs, stack traces, and device state at the time of a crash (e.g., memory usage, orientation, battery level)

Our bark detection feature does not send audio recordings to Firebase. Firebase services are not used to store bark clips, bark classification logs, or your local bark history.

Firebase does not collect from the bark detector itself:

• Personal information
• Audio recordings
• Anything stored on your device

This data is intended to be technical, diagnostic, pseudonymous, or usage‑oriented in nature. It may be associated with device‑level or app‑instance identifiers under Google’s own systems and policies.

Where Google acts as an independent controller or service provider for its SDKs, its handling of such data is governed by its own terms and privacy documentation in addition to this Policy.

5. Advertising (Free Version Only)

The free version of the App displays advertisements via Google AdMob. AdMob may collect or receive:

• Device identifiers
• Approximate location
• App interaction data

This data is processed under Google’s own Privacy Policy. We do not directly control Google’s handling of AdMob data. The App is configured to request non‑personalised ads by default, but Google may still process device, approximate location, and ad delivery data under its own policies and infrastructure.

6. How We Use Data

We use data only to:

• Provide real‑time bark detection using on‑device AI
• Play deterrent tones in response to detected barking
• Display audio waveforms and spectrum analysis on screen
• Save your tone preferences and custom labels locally
• Log bark detection events locally so you can track your dog’s progress
• Display ads in the free version of the App
• Improve app stability and performance through anonymous Firebase analytics
• Diagnose crashes and technical issues through Firebase Crashlytics
• Manage free trial eligibility and prevent repeated trial resets through Firebase Firestore

We do not use bark recordings or bark history for profiling. Third‑party advertising and analytics providers may process data under their own policies.

6A. In-App Purchases and Subscriptions

The App offers in‑app purchases and/or subscriptions through Google Play Billing, such as removing ads. Payment card details and transaction processing are handled by Google Play, not by us. The App may locally store limited purchase state information, such as whether ads have been removed, and may query Google Play to verify whether a purchase or subscription is active.

7. Permissions Used

The App requests the following Android permissions:

• RECORD_AUDIO — required for bark detection and waveform visualisation.
• FOREGROUND_SERVICE — allows the automatic bark detection service to run while the screen is off or while you are not directly interacting with the App.
• FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE — allows the foreground service to continue accessing microphone input while Auto Detect is running.
• POST_NOTIFICATIONS — allows the App to show service status and bark detection notifications.
• WAKE_LOCK — helps keep bark detection active while the device would otherwise sleep.
• REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS — may be used to reduce the risk of the operating system interrupting background bark detection.
• MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS — allows the App to adjust relevant audio output behaviour while deterrent tones are being played.

No permission is used beyond its stated purpose.

8. Legal Basis for Processing

Where required by law, we process data under:

• Performance of the App’s core functions (providing bark detection and tone playback)
• Your consent, where you have explicitly granted microphone permission
• Your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy in order to use the App
• Legitimate interests, such as ensuring app stability and improving performance
• Legitimate interests in fraud prevention, abuse prevention, and trial enforcement
• Consent, for personalised ads where applicable

9. Data Sharing

We do not share personal data with third parties. The only third parties involved are:

• Google AdMob (free version only — advertising)
• Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics (anonymous technical data only)
• Firebase Firestore (trial management data only)
• Google Play (payments and app distribution)

We do not sell, rent, or trade any data.

10. Third‑Party Services

The App relies on:

• Firebase Analytics
• Firebase Crashlytics
• Firebase Firestore
• Google AdMob (free version only)
• Google Play and Google Play Billing
• Device‑level audio rendering services

These services operate independently of us. We are not responsible for:

• Their data collection practices
• Their outages or errors
• Their privacy policies
• Their continued availability or accuracy

11. Data Storage & Security

• All preferences and bark history logs are stored locally on your device using Android’s standard secure storage.
• Short audio clips and classification logs are written to the App’s private external files folder on your device. They are never transmitted off your device and can be deleted at any time via the Bark History screen.
• Trial management data described in Section 3.4 is stored off‑device in Firebase Firestore.
• Firebase analytics, crash, advertising, and related technical data may be processed on Google’s infrastructure in accordance with Google’s own policies.
• Where data is transmitted to Google services, it is intended to be transmitted using industry‑standard encrypted transport mechanisms supported by those services.
• You are responsible for backing up your own device data.
• We are not responsible for data loss caused by device failure, user action, or third‑party services.

12. Data Retention

All locally stored data (preferences, tone labels, bark history, audio clips, and classification logs) remains on your device until you delete it or uninstall the App. Audio clips and logs can be deleted at any time via the Delete All button on the Bark History screen, or by clearing the App’s data via your device settings.

Trial management data stored in Firebase Firestore may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to enforce trial eligibility, prevent abuse, maintain continuity after reinstall, or comply with legal or operational requirements. Analytics, crash, and advertising data are retained under the policies and retention practices of the relevant Google services.

Deleting the App or clearing its local storage does not necessarily delete off‑device data already held by Google services or trial records already stored in Firebase Firestore.

13. Accuracy and Reliability

The App uses AI‑based audio classification to detect dog barking. While we aim for accurate detection, we cannot guarantee:

• That all barking events will be detected
• That non‑barking sounds will never trigger the detector
• Uninterrupted background service operation on all devices
• That ultrasonic tones will be effective for all dogs

The App is intended as a training aid and should not be relied upon as the sole method of managing dog behaviour in situations where safety is a concern.

14. Children’s Privacy

The App is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

15. International Use

The App is available worldwide. Because the App uses Google services such as Firebase, AdMob, and Google Play, relevant data may be processed on servers located outside your country of residence. Regardless of your location, any disputes or claims will be governed by the laws of the United Kingdom, and legal proceedings must take place in the courts of England and Wales.

16. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, delete, correct, object to, or restrict processing of your data. Locally stored App data can generally be deleted by clearing the App’s data, deleting bark clips from the Bark History screen, or uninstalling the App. For requests relating to off‑device data handled through Firebase, AdMob, or other Google services in connection with the App, you may contact us using the details below and we will consider and respond to your request in accordance with applicable law and the technical limits of the services involved.

Please note that in some cases we may be unable to delete or alter certain technical, diagnostic, billing, advertising, or trial‑enforcement records immediately where retention is necessary for security, fraud prevention, legal compliance, or operational continuity.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK supervisory authority for data protection. You can contact the ICO at ico.org.uk or by telephone on 0303 123 1113. We have applied for ICO registration; our ICO registration number will be published here once issued.

17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Continued use of the App after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. The effective date at the top of this page will reflect the date of the most recent update.

18. Contact