Privacy Policy - Bus Routes Karachi

Introduction

Bus Routes Karachi ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (the "App").

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the application.

🗑️ How to Delete Your Data

We provide TWO easy ways for you to delete your data:

Online Deletion Page: https://rungpk.com/bus/karachi/data-deletion.php

Option 1: In-App Self-Service Deletion (Recommended) ⚡

Quick & Immediate - Delete your data in seconds:

Open the Bus Routes Karachi app
Navigate to any feedback screen:
- Settings → Feedback (App Feedback)
- Settings → Bus & Route Feedback (Route Data Feedback)
- Settings → Share Experience (Experience Sharing)
Scroll to the bottom of the screen
Tap the "Delete My Feedback Data" button in the "Data Privacy" section
Review your device ID in the confirmation dialog
Tap "Delete" to confirm

What gets deleted immediately:

✅ All app feedback you've submitted
✅ All bus route feedback and data corrections
✅ All experience submissions and reviews
✅ Data is deleted immediately from our Firebase servers
✅ You'll see a confirmation message with count of deleted items

What is NOT deleted:

❌ Public transit data (routes, stops) - This is shared community data
❌ Local app data (favorites, theme preferences) - Stored only on your device
❌ Analytics data (already anonymized and cannot be linked to you)
❌ Approved bus routes you submitted (now public community data)

Option 2: Contact-Based Deletion

If you prefer personal assistance or have specific requests:

Email: droidclics@gmail.com

Subject: Data Deletion Request

Include:

Your device ID (shown in the in-app deletion dialog, or Settings → About)
What data you want deleted
Any additional context

Processing Time: We will process your request within 30 days

Delete App Data (Local Storage)

Uninstall the app:

Long-press the Bus Routes Karachi app icon
Tap "Uninstall" or drag to uninstall
All local data will be deleted automatically:
- Favorites
- Preferences (theme, language)
- Cached routes
- Search history

Or clear data without uninstalling:

Go to Android Settings → Apps → Bus Routes Karachi
Tap "Storage" → "Clear Data" or "Clear Cache"

Delete Analytics Data

Analytics data is already anonymized and cannot be linked back to you
Individual events are automatically deleted by Firebase after 90 days
You can reset your advertising ID in device settings:
- Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Delete advertising ID

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

Bus Route Submissions:

When you submit new bus routes or stops, we collect:

Bus route name and number
Stop names and locations
Route type (e.g., red bus, green bus, orange bus, minibus)
Optional feedback and comments
Device ID (to enable data deletion requests)
Timestamp of submission

Feedback:

When you submit feedback through the app, we collect:

Your feedback content
Feedback category (app feedback, route feedback, experience sharing)
Device ID (to enable data deletion requests)
Timestamp of submission

Firebase Anonymous Authentication:

All users are automatically authenticated using Firebase Anonymous Authentication
This is a security mechanism to access Firebase Realtime Database
Anonymous authentication does NOT create user accounts or require login
No personal credentials are collected or stored
Users are NOT aware of this authentication (happens in background)

Admin Access (Separate Admin App):

Admin app uses device biometric authentication (PIN, password, fingerprint)
We do NOT store biometric data - authentication is handled by your device's OS

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Device Information:

Android Device ID (ANDROID_ID) - unique identifier for your app installation
Device model and manufacturer
Operating system version
App version

Usage Analytics (via Firebase Analytics):

Screens/pages viewed within the app
Features used (e.g., search, favorites, route details, add bus)
Search queries (route names, stop names)
Time spent in app
Button taps and interactions
App sessions (when opened/closed)

Performance Data:

App performance metrics (load times, errors)
Network connectivity status
App stability data

Advertising Data (via Google AdMob):

Device Advertising ID (GAID)
Ad impressions and clicks
IP address (for approximate location for ad targeting)

1.3 Information NOT Collected

We do NOT collect:

❌ Your name, email, or phone number (unless you email us directly)
❌ Your precise GPS location or real-time location tracking
❌ Personal identification documents
❌ Biometric data (fingerprints, face data) - handled by your device only
❌ Contact lists or SMS messages
❌ Payment information (app is completely free)
❌ Microphone or camera access
❌ Photos or media files

ℹ️ What Our App Does NOT Do:

❌ Live GPS tracking of buses
❌ Real-time bus positions on map
❌ Live bus arrival predictions
❌ Track moving buses in real-time

What We Provide: Comprehensive route database showing which buses serve which stops and routes between locations.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide Bus Route Information
- Display accurate bus routes and stops for Karachi
- Enable route search and navigation
- Maintain up-to-date transit data
Improve User Experience
- Remember your favorite stops and routes (stored locally)
- Provide search results from our cloud database
- Optimize app performance
- Pre-load routes and stops database in app
Process User Submissions
- Review and approve user-submitted bus routes
- Validate stop and route information
- Update the bus route database
- Track submissions by device ID for accountability
Enable Data Deletion
- Device ID allows us to identify and delete your feedback submissions
- Comply with privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
Analytics & Improvement
- Understand how users interact with the app
- Identify popular routes and features
- Fix bugs and improve performance
Display Advertisements
- Show relevant ads through Google AdMob
- Support free app distribution

3. Data Storage and Security

3.1 Where We Store Data

Firebase Realtime Database (Google Cloud):

Bus routes and stops information
User submissions (pending admin approval)
Feedback submissions (with device ID)
Server location: United States (Google Cloud Platform)

Local Device Storage:

Favorite routes and stops
App preferences (theme, language, settings)
Pre-loaded routes and stops database
Stored only on your device, not synced to cloud

⚠️ Internet Connectivity:

Routes and stops database: Pre-loaded in app
Stop lists, buses at stops, routes between stops: Require internet connection
App needs active internet connection for most features

3.2 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures:

✅ Encryption in Transit: All data uses HTTPS/TLS encryption
✅ Firebase Security Rules: Rate limiting and input validation
✅ Minimal Personal Data: Only device ID (non-personally identifiable)
✅ Secure Admin Access: Firebase Authentication + biometric authentication
✅ No Cleartext Traffic: HTTP connections are blocked

3.3 Data Retention

Route/Stop Data: Retained indefinitely (public transit information)
Feedback Submissions: Retained until you delete them or after 1 year
Analytics Data: Individual events auto-deleted after 90 days
Device ID: Deleted when you delete your feedback or uninstall

4. Third-Party Services

4.1 Google Firebase

Services Used:

Firebase Realtime Database - Route/stop data and user submissions
Firebase Analytics - App usage analytics
Firebase Authentication - Anonymous authentication (security mechanism)
Firebase Crashlytics - Crash reporting and debugging
Firebase Performance Monitoring - App performance metrics

Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

4.2 Google AdMob

Service: Mobile advertising platform

Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543

Ad Choices: https://www.google.com/settings/ads

4.3 Data Sharing

We do NOT sell, rent, or trade your information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Your Rights and Choices

5.1 GDPR Rights (EEA Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have the right to:

Access your data
Rectify inaccurate data
Erase your data (Right to be Forgotten)
Restrict processing
Data portability
Object to processing
Withdraw consent

5.2 CCPA Rights (California Users)

Know what personal information we collect
Access your personal information
Request deletion of your information
Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

California "Do Not Sell My Personal Information": We do not sell personal information.

5.3 Pakistan Users

Compliant with Personal Data Protection Bill 2023

Right to be informed about data collection
Right to access and correct your data
Right to deletion
Right to restrict processing

6. Children's Privacy

Our app does NOT knowingly collect information from children under 13 years of age.

The app is rated for general audiences (EVERYONE)
No account creation or age verification required
Content is educational (public transit information)

7. International Data Transfers

Data Location: Our servers are located in the United States (Google Cloud Platform / Firebase)

Safeguards: Google Firebase complies with GDPR, Standard Contractual Clauses, ISO 27001, and SOC 2/3

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via in-app notification.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data: