TrueNorth

Overview

TrueNorth is an offline compass application for Android. Your privacy is our highest priority. This Privacy Policy explains what data TrueNorth accesses, how it is used, and the strict safeguards in place to protect your privacy.

Location Data

Permissions Declared

TrueNorth declares two location-related permissions in its manifest:

• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION (precise GPS coordinates)
• ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION (network-based location)

How Location Is Used

Location data is used exclusively for on-device calculations and is not sent to our servers or shared with third parties:

• True North Correction: GPS coordinates are used to calculate magnetic declination (the difference between magnetic north and true north) via the WMM (World Magnetic Model). This correction is computed on-device only when you enable the true north feature in settings.
• Qibla Direction: GPS coordinates enable accurate calculation of the Qibla direction (bearing to Mecca) using great-circle formulas. This is computed entirely on-device.
• Celestial Positions: GPS coordinates are used to calculate the azimuth positions of the sun and moon (using NOAA algorithms) for display on the compass dial. All calculations occur on-device.
• Back-to-Car: If you save a location using the Back-to-Car feature, the GPS coordinates are stored locally on your device so you can navigate back. These coordinates remain on your device until you clear them in-app, clear app data, or uninstall the app.

No Background Location Access

TrueNorth does not request or use background location access. Location is accessed only when the app is actively in use, and only for the calculations listed above.

Manual Location Override

If you prefer not to grant GPS permissions, TrueNorth offers a manual location mode: you can select your city from a static list (~47 major cities), and Qibla direction calculations will use those preset coordinates instead. This ensures all features remain accessible without mandatory GPS access.

Sensor Data

Sensors Used

TrueNorth accesses the following device sensors, all processed on-device for compass and measurement features:

• Rotation Vector Sensor: Fused hardware-level accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope data. Used to calculate compass heading with high stability and accuracy.
• Magnetometer: Detects the Earth's magnetic field. Used to assess compass accuracy and provide feedback when the magnetometer needs calibration.
• Accelerometer: Measures device orientation and tilt. Used for the level tool (bubble level) and to detect when the device is held too vertically (tilt warning).
• Gyroscope: Detects device rotation. Used to enhance compass heading stability and (optionally) for detailed sensor accuracy diagnostics in the sensor info overlay.
• Pressure Sensor (Barometer): Measures atmospheric pressure. Used to calculate barometric altitude. Falls back to GPS altitude when available.

How Sensor Data Is Processed

All sensor data is processed in real-time on your device. It is:

• Used exclusively to calculate compass heading, accuracy metrics, level readings, and altitude
• Smoothed with low-pass filters to reduce noise and jitter
• Never transmitted, logged persistently, or shared with any external service

No External Transmission

Sensor data is never sent over the network. All processing happens locally on your device with no data leaving your phone.

Local Storage

What Is Stored

TrueNorth stores only your user preferences locally on your device using Android DataStore. These preferences include:

• Theme Selection: Your chosen compass theme
• Feature Toggles: Your preferences for features like keep-screen-on, true north, altitude unit (meters/feet), sun/moon display, Qibla, Vastu overlay, calibration animation, and haptic feedback
• Saved Location: If you use the Back-to-Car feature, your saved GPS coordinates are stored locally so you can find your way back. You can clear this data at any time within the app, or by clearing app data or uninstalling.

No Cloud Sync

Your preferences are stored exclusively on your device and are not synced to cloud services or external accounts. Standard Android device backups may include app preferences depending on your device settings.

No Personal Data

TrueNorth does not store:

• Your name, email, or contact information
• Historical location data
• Compass readings or heading history
• Analytics, usage statistics, or behavioral data
• Device identifiers or advertising IDs

Network & Internet

No Internet Permission

TrueNorth does not declare or use the INTERNET permission. The app cannot initiate network requests.

No External Communication

TrueNorth:

• Does not connect to any remote servers or cloud services
• Does not send telemetry, crash reports, or analytics to any third party
• Does not check for app updates (updates are handled by your app store)
• Does not access any web APIs or external databases

Complete Data Isolation

All data processing happens entirely on your device. Your location, sensor data, and preferences are not sent to our servers.

Feedback and Support

If you choose to contact us using the "Request a Feature" or feedback options, your device's email app will open. Any information you send via email is handled by your email provider and subject to its privacy policy. TrueNorth itself does not transmit this data.

Third Parties

No Analytics

TrueNorth does not use any analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics, or third-party telemetry libraries). We do not track how you use the app or monitor your behavior.

No Advertising

TrueNorth contains no ads, sponsored content, or advertising SDKs. Your device will not be profiled for advertising purposes.

No Tracking SDKs

TrueNorth does not integrate any analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs. The app uses only standard Android platform libraries (Compose, DataStore, LocationManager, Sensor APIs).

Transparent Code

TrueNorth is built with only necessary, transparent dependencies. We avoid any library or service that could compromise your privacy.

Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Children's Data Protection

TrueNorth is a general-audience compass tool with no interactive features (no messaging, accounts, social sharing, or user-generated content). The app does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years old.

No Personal Information Collection

TrueNorth:

• Does not require account creation or login
• Does not collect names, emails, or personal information
• Does not have messaging or social features
• Does not use analytics or tracking

Parental Control

Parents and guardians retain full control over permissions (location, sensor access) through Android's standard permission system. They can revoke any permission at any time in device settings.

Contact Us

Questions About This Policy?

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how TrueNorth handles your data, please contact us:

Policy Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any material changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.