Privacy Policy for OBDash
Summary. OBDash is an offline vehicle dashboard. It connects to a Bluetooth OBD‑II adapter (such as an ELM327) plugged into your car and displays live data — speed, RPM, temperatures, fuel use, tilt/g‑force and similar readings — on your phone.
In plain terms:
- OBDash does not have permission to access the internet, and it contains no networking code. Nothing it reads is sent to the developer or to any third party.
- There are no accounts, no advertising, no analytics, no tracking, and no third‑party SDKs.
- All data the app uses stays on your device, and is removed when you uninstall the app.
- The only time information leaves your device is when you personally choose to share a drive‑log file using your phone's share menu.
1. What information the app handles
a) Vehicle data from your car. When you connect to a compatible OBD‑II adapter, OBDash reads vehicle data over Bluetooth, which may include vehicle speed, engine RPM, coolant/oil/intake temperatures, throttle and engine load, battery voltage, fuel rate and tank level, transmission and drivetrain values, and motion‑related sensor readings (such as lateral/longitudinal g‑force) reported by your vehicle's modules. This data is read directly from your vehicle and is displayed live. It is processed on your device. It is not transmitted off the device by the app.
b) Bluetooth adapter information. So the app can reconnect conveniently, OBDash remembers the Bluetooth address of the last OBD‑II adapter you connected to. This is stored locally on your device only and is never transmitted anywhere.
c) Drive‑log files (optional, stored locally). While connected, OBDash may write a log of the
live readings to a CSV file in the app's own storage folder
(Android/data/com.michlind.obdash/files/drivelogs/). These logs exist to let sensor and tilt calibration be
checked, and they stay on your device. They are never uploaded automatically. You can delete them at any
time, and they are removed entirely when you uninstall the app. You may, if you wish, export a drive‑log file using
your phone's standard share menu (for example to email it to yourself or save it to your own cloud drive). This only
happens when you initiate it, and where the file goes is entirely your choice.
2. Information the app does NOT collect
OBDash does not collect, store, or transmit any of the following:
- Personal identifiers (name, email, phone number, account, device IDs).
- Your location. OBDash does not use GPS and never determines your position.
- Usage analytics, behavioural data, or advertising identifiers.
- Crash or diagnostic reports sent to the developer.
There are no advertising networks, analytics services, or other third‑party SDKs embedded in the app.
3. Permissions and why they are needed
| Permission | Why OBDash requests it |
|---|---|
Bluetooth ConnectBLUETOOTH_CONNECT |
To connect to and communicate with your OBD‑II adapter. |
Bluetooth ScanBLUETOOTH_SCAN |
To discover nearby OBD‑II adapters so you can pick one. It is declared with the
neverForLocation flag, meaning it is explicitly not used to derive your location. |
LocationACCESS_FINE_LOCATION |
Requested only on Android 11 and older, where the operating system requires it as a technical prerequisite for classic Bluetooth device discovery. OBDash does not read, use, or store your location. On Android 12 and newer this permission is not requested at all. |
OBDash does not request internet access.
4. Where your data is stored
All information described above is stored locally on your device — in the app's private settings and in the app's own files folder. None of it is stored on any server controlled by the developer, because the app has no server and no network access. If you have Android's automatic app backup enabled, Android itself may include the app's locally stored settings in your personal device backup. That backup is managed by Google/Android under your own Google account settings, not by OBDash.
5. Sharing your information
The developer does not receive, sell, rent, or share any of your data, because no data is ever sent to the developer. The only sharing that can occur is when you deliberately export a drive‑log file through your device's share menu to a destination you choose. The app does not control or monitor what you do with an exported file.
6. Data retention and deletion
- Vehicle readings are shown live and are not retained by the app beyond what is needed to display them, except for any drive‑log files described above.
- Drive‑log files and the remembered adapter address remain on your device until you delete them or uninstall the app.
- Uninstalling OBDash removes all data the app has stored on your device.
7. Children's privacy
OBDash is a tool for vehicle owners and is not directed at children. It does not knowingly collect any information from children, and indeed collects no personal information from anyone.
8. Security
Because OBDash keeps all data on your device and transmits nothing over the internet, your data is protected by your device's own security (lock screen, encryption, and app sandboxing). Communication with your OBD‑II adapter happens locally over Bluetooth.
9. Changes to this policy
If this app's data practices change, this policy will be updated and the "Last updated" date above will be revised. Material changes will be reflected here before they take effect in a released version of the app.
A feature being considered for a future version would let you receive your driving reports by email. If that feature is added, you would be asked to provide an email address (or to sign in using one) so that reports can be sent to you. If and when that happens, this policy will be updated beforehand to explain what email address and report data is collected, how it is used, and how you can opt out. The current version of OBDash does not collect any email address, does not offer accounts or login, and sends nothing off your device automatically.
10. Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or the app's handling of data, contact:
Dan Michlin
Email: michlindevelopment@gmail.com