Privacy Policy

NearChat (“the app”), published by ByteMaple (“we”, “us”), is an offline messenger: it chats with people nearby over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth using Google Nearby Connections, without the internet. This policy explains what information the app handles.

1. Information the app collects

The app itself does not collect, transmit, or store your chats on external servers. Your messages, photos, files, and voice notes travel directly between your device and the devices of the people you chat with on the local network, and are stored on those devices. No account or sign-in is required, and chat content never reaches us. One optional exception: Settings offers a ByteMaple license feature. Only if you enter a license key does the app contact bytemaple.com to activate or verify it, sending just the key, the app's ID, and a device identifier — never any chat content.

2. Advertising

The app shows no ads and includes no advertising or analytics SDKs.

3. Permissions used

• Nearby devices — Bluetooth & Wi-Fi (Bluetooth scan/advertise/connect, Nearby Wi-Fi devices, Wi-Fi state) — to discover and connect to people near you.
• Location — Android requires this permission for nearby-device discovery on some Android versions; the app does not track or record your location. Separately, if you tap “share location” inside a chat, your current location is sent as a message to that chat only, over the local network.
• Microphone — for voice messages, calls, and walkie-talkie, only while you use them.
• Camera — to take photos and videos you send, and for video calls.
• Notifications — to alert you to messages and incoming calls from nearby devices, including the full-screen incoming-call alert.
• Contacts — only when you choose to save someone you chat with as a contact; the app passes their name and number to your Contacts app. Your address book is never uploaded.
• Biometric / Fingerprint — for the optional app lock, if you switch it on.
• Foreground service — to keep nearby connections alive while you chat or call.
• Internet — used only for the optional license check described in section 1.

Permissions are used only for the features described and never for data collection.

4. Data security & retention

Because your chats never leave the devices taking part in them, there is no server-side retention. Uninstalling the app removes its stored data. Backup files are created only when you choose, are saved wherever you choose to store them, and remain under your control.

5. Children's privacy

The app is a general-purpose messaging tool not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect children's data.

6. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

7. Contact

Questions about this policy: hello@bytemaple.com