Privacy Policy

Version: 1.4.5 • Last updated: November 12, 2026 • Effective Date: November 12, 2026

1. Information We Collect and Process

When you use the Softech Radio application, we may process minimal, non-sensitive information necessary for application functionality:

• Local App Data: Your favorite radio stations, equalizer presets, listening history, and layout preferences (Grid/List mode) are stored strictly locally on your device via Android private storage (SharedPreferences). This data never leaves your device and is not synchronized to external servers.
• Technical & Diagnostic Data: Device model, Android OS version, application build number, and anonymized crash logs to troubleshoot playback interruptions and ensure audio engine compatibility across devices.

2. Advertising & Third-Party Analytics (Google AdMob / AdSense)

To keep Softech Radio completely free, this application may display advertisements served by Google AdMob and the Google Mobile Ads SDK. Google and its certified partners use device identifiers and cookies to serve contextual or personalized advertisements in compliance with Google Publisher Policies.

• Google Advertising ID: Android provides an Advertising ID (AAID) used by Google AdMob for ad frequency capping, fraud detection, and relevant ad serving.
• User Consent (GDPR / UK / EEA): For users residing in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK, we implement Google's User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK. You have full control to consent to, reject, or customize personalized advertising upon launching the app.
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA): We do not sell user personal information. Users may opt out of interest-based ads anytime.
• Managing Your Ad Preferences: You can reset or opt out of personalized ads directly from your Android device settings by navigating to:
  Settings > Google > Ads > Reset advertising ID or Delete advertising ID.

3. Stream Directory & Safe Harbor Disclaimer

Softech Radio acts solely as a technological conduit, indexing directory, and media client for publicly available radio and audio feeds broadcasting via Shoutcast, Icecast, or HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). Softech Radio does not host, store, cache, or re-transmit copyright-protected media files on proprietary servers. All audio playback connects directly between your device and the respective broadcaster's publicly exposed streaming servers.

4. Android Application Permissions

The permissions requested by Softech Radio are limited strictly to media playback features:

• INTERNET: Allows connection to online radio streams and metadata updates.
• ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Detects network drops (e.g. Wi-Fi to cellular transitions) to buffer and resume streams without playback failure.
• FOREGROUND_SERVICE & FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK: Keeps radio playback running in the background while multitasking or when your screen is locked.
• POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+): Displays the system media notification with Play, Pause, and Station Title controls on the lock screen and notification shade.
• WAKE_LOCK: Prevents Android from putting the audio decoder CPU core to sleep while an active radio station is playing.
• MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS: Enables Android's hardware DSP Equalizer and Bass Boost to shape audio frequencies in real-time according to user preference.
• SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM & RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED (Optional): Used solely when you schedule a Radio Wake-up Alarm so your selected radio station plays reliably at the set time.
• VIBRATE: Provides gentle haptic feedback when your scheduled Radio Alarm triggers.

5. Children's Online Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Softech Radio is designed for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or maintain personal information from children under the age of 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will promptly delete such data.

6. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or relevant legal guidelines. Any updates will be posted directly within the app and online at https://softechonline.in/radio/app-privacy-policy.html.

7. Contact Information & Support