Privacy Policy
Effective date: September 6, 2026
BrowserDrop is a local file-sharing tool for Android. It lets you open a folder you choose on your phone in a computer browser over your local network. This policy explains what happens to your files, and what data — if any — the app itself collects through analytics.
1. Introduction
Welcome to BrowserDrop (the "App", "we", "our", or "us"), a local file-sharing utility for Android published under the package name com.xiaoniubuniu.browserdrop. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information when you use the App.
Your files are transferred device-to-device over your own local network. We do not upload your files to our servers or to Google.
By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.
2. Information We Collect
We collect very little information. Your files stay on your phone and your local network.
- The folder you select: you choose one folder to share through Android's Storage Access Framework. Its contents are served only to browsers you approve on your local network. We never receive these files.
- Connection metadata (on your phone only): when a computer connects, the App reads its IP address and browser User-Agent string (for example "Chrome on Windows") to label the approval prompt and the activity list. This is shown on your screen during the session and is not sent to us.
- App preferences: settings such as session duration, approval preference, theme, and the recent-folder list are saved locally on your device.
- Support messages: if you contact us by email, we receive the information you choose to send (your email address, message content, and any attachments).
- Diagnostics and usage data (via Google Firebase): to keep the App stable and understand which features are used, the App sends anonymous technical data to Google Firebase on our behalf. This may include:
- Crash reports and error logs (what failed, and related technical details)
- Feature-usage events (for example, that sharing was started or a session expired — not the files themselves)
- Performance data (how long a task took, app start time)
- Device information such as device model, manufacturer, Android version, country/region, language, and app version
We do not require you to create an account, and we do not collect your name, phone number, or payment details through the App.
3. How We Use Information
We use information only to:
- Serve the folder you selected to browsers you approve over your local network
- Label connection requests and show you the session activity log on your phone
- Remember your in-app preferences
- Respond to support requests you send us
- Detect, diagnose, and fix crashes and performance problems
- Understand which features are used so we can improve the App
We do not use your files for advertising, profiling, or training AI models. We do not sell your data.
4. Local Processing & No Cloud Upload
Folder browsing, preview, download, upload to your phone, ZIP packing, and session control all run on a small HTTP server inside the App on your phone. Your files are not transmitted to our servers or to Google for processing, and there is no cloud storage and no PC client.
The App works fully offline for its core sharing features after installation — the Wi-Fi network itself is the only "connection" required.
An internet connection is used only for:
- Optional actions such as opening the Play Store, sharing app links, or viewing this Privacy Policy in a browser
- Sending anonymous crash, usage, and performance reports to Google Firebase (described in Section 2)
If the device is offline, sharing still works, and diagnostic reports are sent when a connection is available.
5. Permissions
The App requests only what its features need:
- Notifications: to keep a visible "Sharing is ON" notification while the service runs and to deliver connection-approval prompts (Android 13+).
- Internet / local network access: for the built-in sharing server and Firebase diagnostics.
- Wi-Fi state: to detect your local IP address so the App can show the browser address and QR code.
- Foreground service: to keep sharing alive while the screen is off.
- No storage permission at all: the App never asks to read your whole device. You grant access to exactly one folder via the system folder picker, and choosing a different folder (or uninstalling) revokes it.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information only in these limited cases:
- When you choose to share: the folder you pick becomes visible to the browsers you approve on your local network. That is the whole point of the App, and it is entirely under your control (approval, expiry, one-tap Stop).
- Service providers — Google Firebase: we use Firebase (Analytics and Crashlytics) to collect the diagnostics and usage data described in Section 2. Google processes this data on our behalf according to its terms and privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy.
- Legal requirements: if required by law, regulation, or valid legal process.
7. Data Retention
- Settings, the folder grant, and the recent-folder list remain on your device until you change them or uninstall the App.
- The session activity log exists only during the current sharing session and is cleared when it ends. It is never uploaded.
- Crash, usage, and performance data sent to Google Firebase is retained according to Firebase / Google Analytics retention settings (typically up to 14 months for Analytics events, and a limited period for crash reports). Uninstalling the App stops new reports from that device.
- Support emails are kept only as long as needed to respond and maintain records.
8. Security
The sharing design itself protects your data:
- The built-in server listens only on your local network address; nothing is port-forwarded or exposed to the internet by the App.
- Every session carries a random token; requests without it are rejected.
- Connection approval requires you to tap "Allow" on your phone before a new browser can access anything.
- Sessions expire automatically after the duration you set, and a one-tap Stop ends sharing immediately.
Beyond this, we take reasonable steps to protect information handled by the App. Because processing happens on your device and your local network, your files remain under your control. However, no method of electronic storage or transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security — for example, anyone with access to the same Wi-Fi network could attempt to connect, which is why approval and tokens exist.
9. Children's Privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
10. Your Rights (GDPR / CCPA and Other Regions)
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal data we hold about you — for example under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Because the App stores almost everything on your device, most of these rights can be exercised directly on your phone:
- Stop sharing and revoke folder access (choose another folder, or revoke in system settings)
- Clear the session activity log by ending the session
- Revoke notifications or other permissions in device settings at any time
- Uninstall the App to remove all locally stored app data
- Contact us to ask questions, or to request access to or deletion of any data tied to your support emails
11. Third-Party Links & Services
The App may open third-party services such as the Google Play Store, your email app, or external websites. Those services have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices.
The App uses Google Firebase (Analytics & Crashlytics). Google's privacy policy applies to data processed by Firebase: policies.google.com/privacy. Firebase privacy information: firebase.google.com/support/privacy.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the App after changes means you accept the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions, feedback, or privacy-related requests, contact us at: