Privacy Policy

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy describes how Hot Status Saver ("we," "us," or "our") handles information when you use our Android application ("App"). By downloading or using the App, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies to the Hot Status Saver Android application available on the Google Play Store and the website hotstatussaver.com. It does not apply to third-party services, including WhatsApp or Meta Platforms, Inc.

We are committed to being fully transparent about our data practices and to complying with applicable data protection laws including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Google Play Developer Program Policies.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information the App Does NOT Collect

Hot Status Saver does not collect, access, transmit, or store any of the following:

• Your name, email address, phone number, or any personally identifiable information
• Your WhatsApp messages, contacts, or conversations
• The content of the statuses you view or save
• Your location data (GPS or network-based)
• Device identifiers such as IMEI or IMSI
• Any financial or payment information

2.2 Information Automatically Processed Locally

The App operates entirely on your device. When you view WhatsApp statuses, WhatsApp stores temporary media files on your Android device's internal storage. Hot Status Saver reads these locally stored files to display them within the App and - only when you explicitly choose - copies them to a folder in your device's gallery. This processing happens 100% on-device and no data is transmitted to our servers or any third party.

2.3 Information Collected by Third-Party SDKs (Advertising)

Hot Status Saver uses Google AdMob to display advertisements. The Google Mobile Ads SDK, integrated into our App, may automatically collect the following information for ad serving and measurement purposes:

• Android Advertising ID: A resettable identifier used to serve personalized ads and measure ad performance
• Device information: Such as device model, operating system version, and screen size
• IP address: Used to estimate general location for ad targeting (country/region level)
• Ad interaction data: Such as ad views, clicks, and impressions

This data is collected and processed by Google, not by us. We do not have access to this data. For details on how Google handles this information, see Google's Privacy Policy and How Google Uses Data When You Use Our Partners' Apps.

You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting your device's Settings > Google > Ads and enabling "Opt out of Ads Personalization."

2.4 Website Analytics (hotstatussaver.com only)

Our website may use basic, privacy-respecting analytics tools to understand aggregate traffic patterns (such as total page visits). Any analytics we use are configured to avoid collecting personally identifiable information and to comply with applicable privacy laws. This policy section applies to website visitors, not App users.

3. App Permissions Explained

The following Android permissions may be requested by the App. Each permission is used solely for the purpose stated and for no other purpose:

• READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (Android 12 and below only)
  Required on older Android versions to read the status media directory where temporary status files are stored on your device. This permission is capped at Android 12 (API 32) and is not requested on newer devices. Files are never uploaded - they are only read locally.
• WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE (Android 10 and below only)
  Required on older Android versions to save files to your device gallery when you tap the save button. This permission is capped at Android 10 (API 29) and is not requested on newer devices.
• Storage Access Framework (SAF) (Android 11 and above)
  On Android 11+, the App uses Android's Storage Access Framework instead of broad storage permissions. You are prompted to grant access to a specific status folder through Android's built-in folder picker. This is the most privacy-respecting and Google Play-compliant approach, as it grants access only to the folder you explicitly approve.
• INTERNET
  Required to load and display advertisements served by Google AdMob. This permission is not used to transmit your files, contacts, or personal data to any server.
• AD_ID (Android 13 and above)
  Required by the Google Mobile Ads SDK to access the Android Advertising ID for serving and measuring ads. You can reset or opt out of your advertising ID in your device's Settings > Google > Ads.

You can revoke any permission at any time through your Android device's Settings > Apps > Hot Status Saver > Permissions. Revoking storage permissions will prevent the App from functioning but will not cause any data loss.

4. How We Use Information

The App uses device storage access solely to:

• Detect media files placed in the status directory on your device
• Display those media files within the App's interface for your review
• Copy selected files to your chosen gallery folder when you explicitly tap "Save"
• Delete saved files when you explicitly choose to delete them

Additionally, the Google AdMob SDK uses your device's advertising ID and basic device information to:

• Display banner, interstitial, and app open advertisements within the App
• Measure ad performance and frequency
• Serve relevant ads based on your ad personalization settings

We (the developer) do not use any information collected by AdMob for profiling, marketing, or any purpose beyond displaying ads to support the free App.

5. Third-Party Services

The App integrates with the following third-party services:

5.1 Google AdMob (Advertising)

Hot Status Saver uses Google AdMob to display advertisements, including banner ads, interstitial ads, and app open ads. The Google Mobile Ads SDK may collect device identifiers (including the Android Advertising ID), device information, and ad interaction data. This data is processed by Google in accordance with their privacy policies.

For more information:

• Google Privacy Policy
• How Google Uses Data When You Use Our Partners' Apps
• Google AdMob & Data Collection

5.2 Google Play Services

The App is distributed through the Google Play Store. Google may collect certain device and usage information in accordance with their own Privacy Policy as part of the Play Store platform. We do not control this data collection. Please review Google's Privacy Policy for details.

5.3 WhatsApp / Meta

Hot Status Saver is an independent utility application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc. in any way. We do not access WhatsApp's servers. The App only reads files that WhatsApp itself has already stored on your device's local storage.

6. Data Storage & Security

All operations performed by Hot Status Saver occur locally on your device. We do not operate servers that receive, process, or store your personal data or media files.

Files saved through the App are stored in your device's local storage (typically in a folder named "HotStatusSaver" within your gallery). The security of these files is governed by your device's own security mechanisms, including device encryption, screen lock, and Android's application sandboxing.

We strongly encourage you to:

• Use a screen lock (PIN, pattern, or biometric) on your device
• Keep your Android operating system updated
• Be cautious about installing other apps that request broad storage permissions

7. Children's Privacy

Hot Status Saver is intended for users aged 18 and over. The App is not directed at or intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect any personal information from children.

In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and equivalent regulations, if we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information through any means (such as a contact form), we will immediately delete that information from our records.

If you are a parent or guardian and you believe your child has accessed the App or provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

8. Your Rights (GDPR / CCPA)

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal data. Because Hot Status Saver does not collect personal data, most of these rights are satisfied by design. Nevertheless, we are committed to honoring the following rights:

Under GDPR (EU/EEA Users)

• Right to Access: You have the right to request information about any personal data we hold about you. Since we hold none, we will confirm this in writing upon request.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You may request deletion of any personal data. Since we hold none on our servers, no action is required - your device's locally saved files can be deleted by you at any time through the App or your device's file manager.
• Right to Data Portability: Not applicable, as no personal data is held by us.
• Right to Object / Restrict Processing: You may uninstall the App at any time to cease all processing.

Under CCPA (California Residents)

• We (the developer) do not sell personal information.
• The Google AdMob SDK may share device identifiers with advertising partners for ad serving. This is governed by Google's policies, not ours.
• California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected - in our case, we do not directly collect any. The data collected by AdMob is described in Section 2.3 above.
• You can opt out of personalized ads in your device's Settings > Google > Ads.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Data Retention

We do not retain any personal data on our servers because we do not collect any. Media files saved by you through the App are retained on your device for as long as you choose. You can delete saved files at any time through:

• The "Saved" tab within Hot Status Saver
• Your device's built-in Gallery or Files app
• Uninstalling the App, which removes App data but may not automatically remove saved files from your gallery - these can be deleted manually

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Post a notice in the App or on the Google Play Store listing
• If changes are significant, provide a more prominent notice

Your continued use of the App after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

11. Contact Us

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

We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns promptly and transparently. Response time: within 30 business days.