Privacy Policy

1. Who we are and what this policy covers

This Privacy Policy explains how xType ("xType", "we", "us", or "our") handles information when you use the fmRadio Android application.

xType is the developer and data controller for information sent directly to xType. Third-party services described below process information under their own privacy policies and may act as separate controllers or processors.

2. Android permissions fmRadio requests

Every permission below is requested only when the related feature is used, and each one can be declined or revoked in Android Settings without preventing you from listening to the radio.

3. Information handled by fmRadio

Optional Google Drive Favorite Sync

You can use fmRadio without connecting a Google account. If you choose Favorite Sync, Android's Google authorization service asks you to select an account and grant fmRadio access to the drive.appdata scope. This permission allows fmRadio to access only its own hidden application-data area in that Google Drive; it does not allow the app to browse or modify your other Drive files.

The synchronized file contains information about your favorite stations, which may include station identifiers, names, stream URLs, country or location information, tags, codec and bitrate information, and timestamps or deletion markers used to merge changes across devices.

The app may receive the selected Google account's email address from Google's authorization result. It stores that address locally to show which account is connected and to request future synchronization for the same account. xType does not receive the email address or favorite-sync file on its own servers. fmRadio uses a short-lived OAuth access token for each synchronization request, sends it only to Google, does not write it to its own preferences or files, and does not transmit it to xType. Google Identity services may cache authorization tokens on the device as part of Google's authorization service.

You can permanently delete the synchronized favorites file by opening Favorite Sync and selecting Delete cloud favorites. This also revokes authorization and disconnects Favorite Sync while keeping the favorites stored locally on that device. Selecting Disconnect without deleting stops future synchronization but does not delete an existing fmRadio app-data file. You can also manage connected apps and hidden app data through your Google account or Drive settings.

Optional device location

If you choose My Location and grant Android location permission, fmRadio accesses your approximate device location to determine your country and show relevant stations. It does not ask for precise location for this feature. The app stores the resulting country code locally so the feature can load faster later.

xType does not receive or store your raw latitude and longitude on its own servers, and location is not used by xType for advertising. Android's system geocoding or location provider may process the request according to the provider's terms. You may deny or revoke location permission and select a country manually.

Optional Bluetooth audio device information

If you grant nearby-devices access, fmRadio temporarily handles the active Bluetooth audio device's address or system identifier, display name, and reported battery information so it can display the battery level beside the player and in the home-screen widget. Depending on your headphones, the level may come from the Android system, from the standard Bluetooth battery service on the device itself, or from a Fast Pair battery advertisement that reports separate left, right, and case levels.

fmRadio uses this access only for the audio output you are already listening through. It may briefly open a Bluetooth GATT connection to that already connected device and scan for a matching Fast Pair battery advertisement. It does not pair with or route audio to new devices, retain a list of nearby devices, or use Bluetooth to derive your location. On supported Android versions, the scan permission is declared with Android's neverForLocation flag. The active-device identifier, display name, and battery information are kept in process memory and shown in the app; they are not stored on xType's servers and are not sent to advertising or analytics providers.

You can decline or revoke nearby-devices access at any time. fmRadio then stops reading battery levels and simply omits that indicator.

Information stored on your device

fmRadio stores information needed to remember and operate your choices, including favorites, recently selected stations and countries, the recent Now Playing track history shown in the app, search and playback state, sleep-timer and sound-enhancement settings, language and display preferences, consent status, synchronization status, cached station listings, and map data. This information is kept in the app's private storage or cache.

Depending on your Android and Google backup settings, Android may include eligible app-private preferences and files in a cloud backup or device-to-device transfer. These can include favorites, selected station and country, recent playback and search state, display preferences, and Favorite Sync settings such as the locally displayed account email and synchronization journal. fmRadio excludes recordings, cached station and map data, and the local purchase-status cache from cloud backup. Recordings may be included in a device-to-device transfer, while the redownloadable caches and local purchase-status cache remain excluded. fmRadio does not store an OAuth access token in its own files or preferences, so it is not part of fmRadio's backup data. Backup copies are otherwise controlled by your operating system and backup-provider settings.

Radio recordings and timeshift

When you use recording, fmRadio saves the selected station's internet audio stream as a file in the app's own storage area on your device. It does not access your microphone and does not record nearby conversations. Recordings remain until you delete them or uninstall the app, and are not uploaded anywhere by fmRadio. If you export or share a recording, the destination you choose controls the exported copy.

Timeshift audio is held temporarily in the app's cache, is limited in size and duration, and is removed automatically when no longer needed. Android may also clear cached data.

Removing ads

Removing ads is an optional one-time purchase. The transaction is handled entirely by Google Play: Google processes your payment method, order, and account details under its own policies, and fmRadio receives only a confirmation that the item is owned, along with a purchase token used to acknowledge and restore it. xType never receives or stores your payment card, billing address, or Google account credentials. The app keeps a local note of whether the item is owned so it can hide ads before Google Play responds; that note is re-checked against Google Play and is excluded from cloud backup.

Messages you choose to send

If you contact support, we receive the email address, message, and attachments you choose to send. The app may prepare a support email containing technical details such as the app version, Android version, device manufacturer and model, screen size and density, and app language. You can review and edit the email before sending it.

Web searches and external links

If you select the lyrics web-search action for a Now Playing entry, fmRadio places the displayed track title and a localized term for lyrics in a Google Search URL and asks Android to open that URL in your browser or another compatible app. Google and the app used to open the link receive the query and normal request information under their own policies. fmRadio and xType do not receive the search results or your resulting browser history. Other links you choose to open, such as Google Play, this policy, or a support email, are likewise handled by the receiving app or website.

Network request data

Third-party servers used by fmRadio automatically receive information needed to respond to requests. This can include IP address, request time, app or device information, and the requested resource. Specific recipients are described in section 5.

4. Why information is used

Information is used only as needed to:

• provide country detection, station discovery, playback, favorites, recording, timeshift, and other requested app features;
• show the battery level of the Bluetooth audio device you are listening through;
• synchronize favorites across your devices when you activate Google Drive Favorite Sync;
• remember your settings, connected-account choice, and privacy choices;
• offer, complete, and restore the optional purchase that removes ads;
• display and measure ads, prevent invalid traffic and fraud, and fund the app;
• open a lyrics web search or another external link when you request it;
• reply to support requests and diagnose issues you report;
• protect the app and comply with legal obligations.

Where applicable law requires a legal basis, processing is based on your consent, performance of a service you requested, xType's legitimate interests in operating and securing fmRadio, or compliance with law. You may withdraw consent through the controls described below.

5. Third-party services and sharing

fmRadio does not sell your personal information for money. Information is shared or collected only as necessary for the services below, when you initiate a connection, with consent where required, or where required by law.

Bluetooth device identifiers, display names, and battery information are not shared with any of the services above.

fmRadio's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including its Limited Use requirements.

We may disclose information if reasonably necessary to comply with law, protect rights or safety, investigate abuse, or complete a merger, acquisition, or transfer of the app, subject to appropriate notice and safeguards where required.

6. Your controls and choices

• Google Drive: do not activate Favorite Sync, use Sync Now when desired, select Delete cloud favorites to permanently delete the synchronized file, or disconnect Google Drive from the Favorite Sync panel. You can also manage fmRadio's access and hidden application data through Google account or Drive settings.
• Location: deny or revoke location permission in Android Settings and choose a country manually.
• Bluetooth: deny or revoke nearby-devices permission in Android Settings. Playback is unaffected; only the headphone battery indicator disappears.
• Advertising privacy: use the privacy-options entry in fmRadio when available in your region. You can also reset or delete the advertising ID through Android privacy settings.
• Purchases: manage or request a refund for the ad-removal purchase through your Google Play account.
• Local data: remove favorites or recordings in the app, clear fmRadio storage in Android Settings, or uninstall the app. Clearing local storage does not necessarily remove synchronized Drive app data or copies you exported.
• Backup: control whether app data is backed up at all through Android's backup settings.
• Support email: do not send the prepared message, or remove diagnostic details before sending.
• Notifications: control notification permission and categories through Android Settings.

Advertising technology may be considered sharing or use for targeted advertising under some privacy laws even when no money is exchanged. Use the advertising privacy controls above or contact xType to exercise additional rights that apply where you live.

7. Retention and deletion

• Local preferences and recordings remain until you delete them, clear app data, or uninstall fmRadio.
• Bluetooth device identifiers, display names, and battery information are kept only in process memory while relevant to the connected audio device and are discarded when the device disconnects or the app process stops.
• The Google Drive favorite-sync file remains in the connected account's private app-data area until you select Delete cloud favorites or remove it through the relevant Google Drive or Google account controls. Disconnecting authorization by itself does not delete that file.
• Temporary cache and timeshift data are deleted automatically when no longer needed or may be cleared by Android.
• Purchase records are retained by Google Play under Google's policies. Uninstalling fmRadio does not cancel a purchase; it can be restored on reinstall.
• Support correspondence is retained only as long as reasonably necessary to respond, resolve the issue, keep appropriate business records, and meet legal obligations.
• Third-party services retain information according to their policies and legal requirements.

Because fmRadio does not create an account on xType's servers, xType generally cannot identify, retrieve, or remotely delete local app data or your private Drive sync file. Use the controls above or follow the instructions on the fmRadio data deletion page. For information sent directly to xType, submit a request through that page or using the contact details below.

8. Security

fmRadio uses Android app-private storage for preferences and cache, Android and Google authorization controls for optional Drive access, and encrypted transport for directory, advertising, Google Drive, and static-resource requests where supported. OAuth access tokens are used only to make authorized Drive requests, are not written to fmRadio's own files or preferences, and are not sent to xType; Google Identity services may maintain their own on-device authorization cache. Timeshift and rewind playback are served over a connection restricted to your device's own loopback interface and are not reachable from your network. No storage or transmission method is completely secure, and independent radio streams may use unencrypted HTTP.

9. International data transfers

Google, GitHub, Radio Browser servers, radio-station operators, and other providers may process information in countries other than your own. Their privacy policies describe their transfer mechanisms and safeguards. Where xType transfers personal data internationally, it will use safeguards required by applicable law.

10. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or objection; withdraw consent; appeal a response; or complain to a data-protection authority. These rights may be subject to legal exceptions.

To make a request about information controlled by xType, email support@fmradio.app. We may need enough information to verify and process the request. For information controlled by Google or another third party, contact that provider or use its account controls directly.

11. Children

fmRadio is a general-audience radio application and is not directed to children below the minimum age at which they may independently consent to data processing in their country. xType does not knowingly request names, contact details, or xType accounts from children. If you believe a child sent personal information directly to xType, contact us so we can review and delete it where appropriate.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when fmRadio's features, service providers, or legal obligations change. The revised policy will be posted at this URL and the Last updated date will change. If a change materially affects how information is handled, we will provide additional notice where required.

13. Contact xType