Who We Are
App Name: PU Study
Developer / Data Controller: Convenient_Applications
Contact Email: convenient.applications@gmail.com
Platform: Android (Google Play Store)
App Package ID: convenient.apps.pustudy
PU Study is an independently developed application by Convenient_Applications. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Panjab University, Chandigarh. All academic content (question papers, syllabus) is publicly available information sourced from the university's official portals.
Data We Collect
We only collect data that is necessary to provide the features of the app. Below is a complete breakdown of every category of data we may collect.
| Data Type | What It Includes | How Collected | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email Address | Your email used for account registration or Google Sign-In | Provided by user during sign-up | Account Feature |
| Display Name | Name associated with your Google account (if using Google Sign-In) | Pulled from Google account with permission | Account Feature |
| Password (Hashed) | Password for email/password sign-in | User-entered; stored as secure hash by Firebase Auth | Account Feature |
| Profile Photo URL | Google profile photo URL (if using Google Sign-In) | Pulled from Google account | Optional |
| Uploaded Notes / Files | PDFs, images, or document files you upload to the app | Manually uploaded by user | User Action |
| YouTube Video Links | YouTube URLs shared/saved inside the app | Entered/posted by user | User Action |
| Scanned Documents | Images captured via the in-app document scanner | Camera capture within the app | User Action |
| Device & Usage Data | Device model, OS version, app crash logs, feature usage analytics | Automatically via Firebase Analytics & Crashlytics | Automatic |
| Advertising ID | Google Advertising ID (GAID) for personalized ad serving | Automatically by Google AdMob SDK | 3rd Party (AdMob) |
| IP Address | Approximate location derived from IP for ad targeting | Automatically by AdMob & Firebase | Automatic |
| Course / Subject Preferences | Which courses or papers you browse or download | Automatically via in-app activity | Automatic |
📵 Data We Do NOT Collect
- We do not collect your phone number
- We do not access your contacts or call logs
- We do not track your precise GPS location
- We do not access your SMS or messaging apps
- We do not record audio or video in the background
- We do not access any files outside the app's designated storage folders
Account Registration & Authentication
We use Firebase Authentication — a Google service — to securely manage user accounts. Your credentials are never stored in plain text on our servers. Firebase handles all password hashing and security protocols.
📧 Email & Password Sign-In
- You provide your email address and a password of your choice
- Your password is never stored in plain text — Firebase stores only a secure cryptographic hash
- We use this email to identify your account and send verification or password-reset emails if requested
- We do not use your email for marketing without your consent
🔵 Google Sign-In
- When you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile photo URL from your Google account
- We only request the minimum required OAuth scopes (profile and email)
- We do not access your Google Drive, Gmail, contacts, or any other Google services
- Google's own privacy policy governs the Google Sign-In process
👤 Guest / No-Account Use
Many core features of PU Study (browsing question papers, viewing syllabus, accessing university updates) are available without creating an account. Account registration unlocks additional features like uploading notes and saving content. If you use the app without registering, only anonymous usage analytics and advertising data are collected.
The account registration and login features may be hidden or in beta within the app interface, but they are technically present and detected by the Google Play Safety Section scan. This policy fully discloses their existence and operation in the interest of complete transparency.
User-Uploaded Content
PU Study allows registered users to contribute study material to the community. This section explains exactly how that content is handled.
| Content Type | Stored Where | Visible To | Can Be Deleted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study notes (PDF/images) | Firebase Storage | Other registered users (community sharing) | Yes — by the uploader or admin |
| YouTube video links | Firebase Firestore (database) | Other app users | Yes — by the poster or admin |
| Scanned documents | Device local storage only (not uploaded automatically) | Only you (on your device) | Yes — from your device gallery/files |
By uploading content to PU Study, you agree not to share:
- Copyrighted material without permission (textbooks, paid course materials)
- Content that violates Panjab University's academic integrity policies
- Personal information of other individuals
- Offensive, abusive, or inappropriate material
- Any content unrelated to academic study purposes
📷 Document Scanner — Camera Permission
The document scanner feature requires camera permission on your device. The camera is only activated when you actively open the scanner within the app. We do not access your camera in the background or capture images without your explicit action. Scanned images are saved to your device's local storage and are not automatically uploaded to our servers unless you explicitly choose to share them within the app.
Firebase Services & Data Storage
PU Study is built on Google Firebase, a platform provided by Google LLC. Below are the specific Firebase services we use and the data each handles.
🔐 Firebase Authentication
- Stores: User ID (UID), email address, display name, profile photo URL, account creation time, last sign-in time
- Purpose: Secure user login and session management
- Data is stored on Google's servers in the US and/or EU under Google's security standards
🗄️ Firebase Firestore (Database)
- Stores: User profile data, uploaded YouTube links, app content metadata, course preferences saved by users
- Purpose: Real-time data syncing and content management
- Data is protected by Firebase Security Rules — users can only access their own data and publicly shared content
📦 Firebase Storage
- Stores: Uploaded study notes, PDF files, and images shared by users
- Purpose: Cloud storage for community-shared study materials
- Files are stored securely and accessible via authenticated download links
📊 Firebase Analytics & Crashlytics
- Collects: Anonymous usage events (screens viewed, features used), device info, app version, crash reports and stack traces
- Purpose: Improve app stability and understand how features are being used
- This data is aggregated and anonymized — we cannot identify individual users from analytics data
- You can opt out of Firebase Analytics by enabling "Opt out of Ads Personalization" in your Android device settings
Firebase services are operated by Google LLC and data may be stored and processed in the United States or other countries where Google operates data centers. By using PU Study, you consent to this international transfer of data. Google's data processing is governed by their Privacy Policy.
Advertising — Google AdMob
To keep the app free for all students, PU Study shows ads powered by Google AdMob — Google's mobile advertising platform. These ads help us cover development and maintenance costs.
What Google AdMob Collects
When you use PU Study, Google AdMob may collect the following data to serve relevant advertisements:
- Google Advertising ID (GAID) — a resettable device identifier used for ad targeting
- IP Address — used to determine approximate geographic location for regional ad targeting
- Device information — device model, OS version, screen size, language settings
- App usage data — which screens you visit, to show contextually relevant ads
- Ad interaction data — whether you viewed, clicked, or dismissed an ad
📋 Types of Ads Shown
- Banner ads (displayed within app screens)
- Interstitial ads (full-screen ads between content)
- Rewarded ads (optional, may offer app benefits)
🎛️ How to Control Ad Personalization
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Ads on your Android device
- Enable "Opt out of Ads Personalization"
- You can also reset your Advertising ID at any time
- Non-personalized ads will still appear, but won't use your Advertising ID
Google AdMob may also work with other third-party ad networks to serve ads. We do not control the data practices of these networks. Please refer to Google's Advertising Policies and the Ads Settings page for full details on how Google uses data.
How We Use Your Data
| Purpose | Data Used | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Provide account login & session management | Email, UID, display name | Contract (account service) |
| Store and sync user-uploaded content | Files, links, scanned docs | Consent (user action) |
| Deliver personalized advertisements | Advertising ID, device info, IP | Legitimate interest / Consent |
| Send notifications (exam dates, results) | Device push token, email (if opted in) | Consent |
| Improve app performance & fix crashes | Anonymous crash logs, device data | Legitimate interest |
| Understand feature usage patterns | Anonymous analytics events | Legitimate interest |
| Moderate community-uploaded content | Uploaded files, YouTube links | Legitimate interest (safety) |
| Respond to support requests | Email address, issue description | Contract / Consent |
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for their own marketing or commercial purposes. The only data shared with third parties (Google AdMob, Firebase) is for the purpose of delivering the app's services to you.
Data Sharing with Third Parties
Third-Party Services We Use
- Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Analytics, Crashlytics) — Firebase Privacy Policy
- Google AdMob (Mobile advertising) — Google Privacy Policy
- Google Play Services (Google Sign-In, app distribution) — Google Privacy Policy
- YouTube (Embedded/linked video content) — YouTube Privacy Policy
Legal Disclosures
We may disclose your data to legal authorities if required to do so by applicable law, court order, or government regulation. We will notify you of such requests where legally permissible.
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify users via in-app notice or email before personal data becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
Data Retention & Deletion
| Data Category | Retention Period | How to Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Account data (email, name, UID) | Until you delete your account | Request deletion via email to us |
| Uploaded notes / files | Until you delete them or close your account | Delete from within the app or request via email |
| YouTube links posted | Until you remove them or close your account | Delete from within the app |
| Analytics data | Up to 14 months (Firebase default) | Opt out in Android Ad Settings; data is anonymized |
| Crash / diagnostic logs | 90 days (Firebase Crashlytics default) | Automatically purged by Firebase |
| Ad interaction data | Governed by Google AdMob's policies | Manage via Google Account settings |
To permanently delete your PU Study account and all associated data, email us at convenient.applications@gmail.com with the subject line "Account Deletion Request" and include the email address linked to your account. We will process your request within 30 days and confirm deletion.
Data Security
Security Measures We Take
- HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data transmitted between the app and Firebase servers
- Firebase Security Rules to prevent unauthorized access to Firestore and Storage
- Password hashing — passwords are never stored in plain text (handled by Firebase Auth)
- OAuth 2.0 for Google Sign-In, ensuring secure token-based authentication
- Minimal data principle — we only request permissions needed for each feature
- Regular security monitoring via Firebase security alerts and Crashlytics
While we implement industry-standard security practices, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to notifying affected users promptly in the event of a data breach that affects their personal information.
Your Rights & Choices
Right to Access
Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you at any time.
Right to Correction
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
Right to Deletion
Request deletion of your account and all associated personal data.
Right to Restrict Processing
Request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.
Right to Data Portability
Request a machine-readable export of your personal data.
Right to Object
Object to processing of your data for advertising or analytics purposes.
How to Exercise Your Rights
Email us at convenient.applications@gmail.com with your request. We will respond within 30 days. For ad-related controls, use your Android device's Ad Settings or your Google Account privacy controls directly.
Children's Privacy
PU Study is designed for university students (typically 18 years of age and older). The app is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information to PU Study, please contact us immediately at convenient.applications@gmail.com and we will delete that information from our systems promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our app features, legal requirements, or data practices. When we make significant changes:
- The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will be revised
- We will post an in-app notification for material changes
- For changes that significantly affect your rights, we will notify you via your registered email address (if applicable)
Your continued use of PU Study after policy changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
Contact Us
Have Questions About Your Privacy?
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or need to report a privacy concern, reach out to us directly.
convenient.applications@gmail.comWe aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 2–5 business days.
By using PU Study, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please discontinue use of the app and contact us to delete your account and data. This policy is effective as of June 1, 2025 and applies to all users of PU Study (package ID: convenient.apps.pustudy) on Android.