Legal Document · Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Mobile application Auto Journal (com.autojournal.car) developed by ThinkStudio. Effective date: November 13, 2026.

1. Local-First Philosophy & Overview

This Privacy Policy explains how Auto Journal ("the App", operated by ThinkStudio) handles your information. Auto Journal is designed around a Local-First architecture: your garage vehicles, odometer logs, fuel/EV charging history, service records, and attached photos are stored locally in an isolated database on your device. ThinkStudio does not operate centralized servers to collect, store, or sell your personal vehicle records.

2. Data Stored Locally on Your Device

  • Vehicle Information: Make, model, year, VIN, license plate number, fuel/EV type, and mileage readings you enter.
  • Expense & Service Logs: Refueling/charging entries, repair details, scheduled maintenance intervals, insurance, and inspection dates.
  • Photos & Documents (Camera & Gallery): Access to your camera or photo library is requested only when you manually choose to attach an image of your vehicle, receipt, or policy. Images remain stored in isolated app storage on your device.
  • Reminders & Notifications: Local notification permissions are used strictly to alert you about upcoming service intervals, insurance, or inspection dates.
  • Bluetooth / OBD-II Diagnostics: If you use diagnostic features with an ELM327 adapter, connection happens locally between your phone and adapter. We do not use Bluetooth for location tracking or background telemetry.

3. Google Sign-In & Google Drive Backup (drive.appdata)

Auto Journal offers optional cloud backup and restore using your personal Google Drive account. This feature runs only when you explicitly sign in inside Settings.

  • Data Accessed: Your Google account email address (displayed inside Settings to identify the connected account) and access strictly limited to the hidden application data folder via the https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.appdata scope.
  • How Data Is Used: The App creates, updates, reads, and restores your Auto Journal backup file exclusively inside your personal Drive's hidden appDataFolder. The App cannot access, view, or modify any other files or folders in your Google Drive.
  • No Sharing or Secondary Use: Google account information and Google Drive backups are never transmitted to ThinkStudio servers, never shared with third parties, never used for advertising targeting, and never used to train AI/ML models.
  • Google API Limited Use Compliance: Auto Journal's use and transfer to any other app of information received from Google APIs will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

4. Advertising & In-App Purchases

  • Google AdMob (Free Version): The free tier integrates Google Mobile Ads (AdMob), which may process device advertising identifiers (AAID/IDFA), approximate IP address, and ad interaction signals in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy. Ads are disabled for active Auto Journal PRO users.
  • Google Play Billing: Subscriptions and lifetime upgrades for Auto Journal PRO are processed securely by Google Play. ThinkStudio does not receive or store your credit card or banking details.

5. Data Retention, Deletion & Revoking Access

You retain complete control over your data at all times:

  • Delete Local Data In-App: Open Settings → Delete account & all data to permanently erase all local vehicle logs, photos, and settings on your device.
  • Disconnect or Delete Cloud Backup: Sign out in Settings → Cloud Sync, or revoke Auto Journal access anytime via Google Account Permissions. You can also remove hidden app data from Google Drive via Drive Settings → Manage Apps.
  • Uninstall: Uninstalling Auto Journal removes the local database and cached media from your device.

6. Children's Privacy & Policy Updates

Auto Journal is intended for vehicle owners and drivers and is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. Any updates to this Privacy Policy will be published on this page with an updated effective date.

7. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, Google Drive integration, or data deletion, please contact ThinkStudio:

Email: vetal6550@gmail.com