1. Introduction

FocusGuard (“we,” “our,” or “the App”) is a desktop application designed to help users block access to social media websites and applications using a custom security code. This Privacy Policy describes how we handle information when you use our application on Windows, macOS, or Linux operating systems.

By installing and using FocusGuard, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the application.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Custom Blocking Code: When you set up FocusGuard, you create a custom code (PIN, password, or passphrase) used to enable or disable social media blocking. This code is stored locally on your device in an encrypted format. We do not transmit or store this code on any external server.
• Blocking Preferences: Your list of blocked websites, applications, and schedules are stored locally on your device.
• Account Information (Optional): If you choose to create an account for syncing settings across devices, we may collect your email address and display name.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Statistics (Optional): With your consent, we may collect anonymous usage data such as the number of times blocking is activated, duration of focus sessions, and general app usage patterns. This data does not include the names or URLs of blocked sites.
• Device Information: Operating system type and version, app version number, and system language preference for compatibility and support purposes.
• Crash Reports (Optional): If enabled, anonymous crash logs may be collected to help us improve the stability of the application.

2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

3. How We Use Your Information

4. Data Storage and Security

• Local Storage: All critical data, including your custom blocking code and blocked site list, is stored locally on your device. Your custom code is encrypted using industry-standard AES-256 encryption before being saved.
• No Cloud Storage by Default: FocusGuard operates entirely offline by default. No data leaves your device unless you explicitly opt in to features like account sync or anonymous analytics.
• Security Measures: We employ encryption, secure storage APIs provided by your operating system (such as Keychain on macOS and Credential Manager on Windows), and follow security best practices to protect your data.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party. We may share limited data only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: If you opt in to analytics or crash reporting, anonymized data may be processed by trusted third-party analytics services (e.g., Sentry for crash reports). These providers are contractually bound to protect your information.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, legal process, or a valid governmental request.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to the same privacy protections.

6. System Permissions

FocusGuard may request the following system-level permissions to function correctly:

• Network Access: To intercept and block requests to social media domains.
• System Proxy / DNS Settings: To enforce blocking at the network level on your device.
• Administrator / Root Privileges: May be required on certain operating systems to modify host files or network configurations for effective blocking.
• Startup Launch: Optional permission to launch FocusGuard at system startup to ensure uninterrupted blocking schedules.

These permissions are used solely for the purpose of blocking social media access and are never used to monitor, collect, or transmit your personal data.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have full control over your data:

• Access & Export: You can view and export your blocking preferences at any time through the app settings.
• Deletion: Uninstalling FocusGuard removes all locally stored data, including your custom code and preferences. You may also manually reset all data from within the app.
• Opt-Out of Analytics: You can disable anonymous usage statistics and crash reporting at any time in Settings > Privacy.
• Code Reset: You can change or reset your custom blocking code at any time from the app settings (authentication with your current code is required).

8. Children’s Privacy

FocusGuard is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If a parent or guardian sets up FocusGuard on a device used by a child, the parent or guardian is responsible for managing the app and its settings. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

FocusGuard may contain links to third-party websites or services (for example, links to our support page or documentation). This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes:

• We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page.
• We will notify you through the application via an in-app notification.
• Continued use of FocusGuard after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Data Retention

Since your data is stored locally on your device, retention is entirely under your control. We do not retain any personal data on our servers. If you opt in to analytics, anonymized data may be retained for up to 12 months for analytical purposes, after which it is permanently deleted.

12. International Users

FocusGuard is designed to comply with major data protection regulations including:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for users in the European Economic Area
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) for users in California, USA
• IT Act, 2000 and related rules for users in India

If you have specific data protection rights under your local laws, we are committed to honoring them. Please contact us for any data-related requests.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@focusguard.app
• Support: support@focusguard.app