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Data Protection

TheSlothDev edited this page Dec 25, 2025 · 4 revisions

Data Protection & Privacy

How MyResidency protects your personal information

🔒 Our Commitment

Your privacy and data security are our top priorities. MyResidency is designed with privacy-first principles to ensure your sensitive information stays secure and under your control.

📱 Local-First Architecture

All Data Stays on Your Device

Key Principle: Your data never leaves your device unless you explicitly export or share a backup file.

  • Personal information stored locally
  • Documents metadata on your device
  • Travel history stays private
  • Task progress local only
  • No cloud sync by default

No Account Required

  • ❌ No registration
  • ❌ No login
  • ❌ No email verification
  • ❌ No personal data collection

Result: We don't have access to your data because we never receive it.

🛡️ Security Measures

Device-Level Security

Your data benefits from:

  • Platform Encryption: Android/iOS encrypted storage
  • App Sandbox: Isolated from other apps
  • Secure Storage: Industry-standard protection

Backup Encryption

When you create backups:

  • Encrypted files - Backups are encrypted
  • Password protection - Optional additional encryption
  • Your control - You choose where to store or share backups

No External Servers

  • No API calls for personal data
  • No cloud storage by default
  • No third-party analytics with personal data
  • No tracking of user behavior

📊 What Data Is Stored Locally

Stored Locally on Your Device

1. Personal Information

What:

  • Name
  • Nationality
  • Country of residence
  • City
  • Residency type

Why: To customize your experience and provide relevant information

Access: Only you, on your device

2. Document Data

What:

  • Document titles
  • Categories
  • Upload dates
  • Expiration dates
  • File paths (local)
  • The document files you upload (stored locally in app storage)

Why: To help you track required documents

Access: Only you, on your device

Note: Document files stay on your device and are not transmitted.

3. Travel Information

What:

  • Trip destinations
  • Dates
  • Purposes
  • Duration

Why: To calculate days spent outside residency country

Access: Only you, on your device

4. Task Data

What:

  • Checklist items
  • Completion status
  • Due dates
  • Priorities

Why: To track your application progress

Access: Only you, on your device

NOT Collected or Transmitted

  • ❌ Passwords or PINs
  • ❌ Financial information
  • ❌ Passport/ID numbers
  • ❌ Personal addresses
  • ❌ Phone numbers
  • ❌ Email addresses (unless you contact support)

🌐 Internet Access

What Requires Internet

Only these features need internet:

  1. News Feed (Info tab)

    • Fetches RSS feeds from government sources
    • No personal data sent
    • Can be disabled
  2. GitHub Support (Settings)

    • Opens browser to GitHub
    • Standard HTTPS
    • GitHub's privacy policy applies

Offline Functionality

Core features work offline:

  • ✅ Checklist management
  • ✅ Document tracking
  • ✅ Trip planning
  • ✅ Reminders
  • ✅ All main functionality

💾 Backup Options

Local Backups

How it works:

  1. You choose to create backup
  2. App creates encrypted file
  3. You save it to:
    • Device storage
    • SD card
    • USB drive
    • Your choice!

Privacy: 100% under your control

🔍 Third-Party Services

What We Use

1. RSS Feed Providers

Purpose: Immigration news
Data Shared: None (standard RSS fetch)
Can Disable: Yes

2. GitHub (Support)

Purpose: Issue tracking, discussions
Data Shared: Only what you post
Privacy Policy: GitHub Privacy

3. Platform Services

Purpose: Local device notifications
Data Shared: None (on-device scheduling)
Privacy Policy: Android | iOS

What We DON'T Use

  • ❌ Google Analytics
  • ❌ Facebook SDK
  • ❌ Advertising networks
  • ❌ User tracking services
  • ❌ Data brokers

⚖️ Legal Compliance

GDPR (EU Users)

MyResidency is GDPR compliant:

Right to Access

  • ✅ You can export your data anytime
  • Location: Settings → Backup → Export

Right to Rectification

  • ✅ Edit any information in the app
  • Location: Throughout the app

Right to Erasure

  • ✅ Delete all data anytime
  • Location: Settings → Reset Database

Right to Data Portability

  • ✅ Export data in standard format
  • Format: Encrypted backup file

Right to Object

  • ✅ Simply don't use features you object to
  • Or uninstall the app

CCPA (California Users)

California residents have rights:

Right to Know

  • This page and Privacy Policy explain local data storage
  • Request: See Privacy Policy in app

Right to Delete

  • Settings → Reset Database
  • Removes all data from device

Right to Opt-Out

  • No data sale: We don't sell data
  • No opt-out needed

Other Jurisdictions

We respect privacy laws worldwide:

  • Australia: Privacy Act compliance
  • Canada: PIPEDA principles
  • UK: UK GDPR
  • Others: Best practices followed

🚨 Data Breaches

Our Approach

Risk Assessment: Very low because:

  • Data stored locally
  • No central database
  • No user accounts
  • No data transmission

In Event of Breach

If our infrastructure were compromised:

  1. We'd notify users immediately
  2. Via GitHub and app updates
  3. With details of what happened
  4. Steps to protect yourself

But remember: Your personal data is on YOUR device, not our servers.

👶 Children's Privacy

Age Requirement

MyResidency is not intended for users under 18.

Why: Residency applications are typically for adults

If used by minors: Parents/guardians should supervise

📧 Contacting Us About Privacy

Privacy Questions

For privacy-related questions:

Data Subject Requests

GDPR or CCPA requests:

  1. Open privacy issue
  2. Specify your request type
  3. We'll guide you through the process

Note: Most requests can be handled directly in the app (export, delete, etc.)

🔄 Privacy Policy Updates

How We Update

When privacy policy changes:

  1. Update version number
  2. Update "Last Updated" date
  3. Notify in-app
  4. Post in Discussions

Your Consent

Continued use = acceptance of updated policy

Don't agree? You can export data and uninstall

✅ Best Practices for Users

Protect Your Device

  • 🔒 Use device lock (PIN/biometric)
  • 🔄 Keep OS updated
  • 💾 Regular backups
  • 🚫 Don't root/jailbreak (reduces security)

Secure Backups

  • 🔐 Encrypt backups
  • 💪 Strong passwords
  • ☁️ Secure cloud storage
  • 🗑️ Delete old backups securely

Document Storage

  • 📷 Store sensitive files only if your device is secured
  • 🔒 Use device encryption and strong screen lock
  • 📤 Export or share backups only when needed

Sharing Information

  • ⚠️ Don't share screenshots with personal info
  • 🙈 Redact sensitive details
  • 🤐 Be careful in public discussions

🎯 Privacy by Design

Our Principles

  1. Data Minimization

    • Store only what's needed
    • Delete what's no longer necessary
  2. Local-First

    • Process data on device
    • Avoid unnecessary transmission
  3. User Control

    • You decide what to track
    • You control backups
    • You can delete anytime
  4. Transparency

    • Clear about what we do
    • Open about limitations
    • Honest about third parties
  5. Security

    • Use platform security
    • Encrypt backups
    • Regular security reviews

📚 Additional Resources

🆘 Questions?


Your Privacy, Your Control 🔒

We believe in privacy by default, not privacy by policy. Your data belongs to you, stays with you, and is controlled by you.

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