VarsityBD Privacy Policy
VarsityBD ("the app", "we") is an independent Android app that lists universities of Bangladesh (names, founding year, location, faculties, website, map, and admission notices). This policy explains what information the app and the services it uses process, why, and what choices you have. By using the app you agree to this policy.
1. We do not ask you to create an account
There is no sign-up or login. We do not ask for your name, phone number, email address, address, or government ID, and we do not collect contacts, photos, files, microphone, camera, or precise location.
2. Information the app handles
2.1 Stored only on your device
Your language, saved (bookmarked) universities, and the universities and faculties you follow for notice alerts are stored in the app's private storage on your phone. We do not receive this list. It is deleted when you uninstall the app or clear its data.
2.2 Push notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging)
If you follow a university, the app asks for the notification permission and subscribes your device to anonymous "topics" (a university code, not your identity) so that Google's Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) can deliver admission-notice alerts. To do this, Google Firebase processes a Firebase installation ID / FCM registration token, the topics, and technical data such as device model, operating system version, app version and IP address. We use this only to deliver notifications; we do not use it to identify you and we do not combine it with other data. You can stop it at any time by unfollowing a university (My list → Following) or turning off the app's notifications in Android settings.
2.3 Admission notice list
The "Latest notices" screen downloads a public notice list hosted on Firebase Hosting. The file contains titles and links to notices published on universities' own websites. The request reveals your IP address and basic device/browser details to the hosting server, as every internet request does. Nothing about you is uploaded.
2.4 Map
The map screen loads vector map data, fonts and styles from OpenFreeMap (tiles.openfreemap.org), which is built on OpenStreetMap data. Their servers receive your IP address and the map area you view. See the OpenFreeMap privacy information and the OpenStreetMap Foundation Privacy Policy. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), © OpenMapTiles. The app does not use your device location.
2.5 University websites and logos
"Website", "Open admission notice/page" and similar buttons open the university's own site in your browser; that site's privacy policy applies. University names and logos belong to their respective owners and are shown only to identify the institution. The app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official app of any university, the Government of Bangladesh, or the University Grants Commission (UGC).
2.6 Advertising (Google AdMob)
The app is supported by advertising provided by Google AdMob. When ads are shown, Google and its partners may collect and use: your Android advertising ID, IP address, approximate location derived from IP, device and app information (such as device model, OS version, language, app version), ad interactions (views and clicks), and diagnostics, and may use cookies or similar technologies, to serve, measure and protect ads and to prevent fraud. If you consent (where required) or have not opted out, ads may be personalized.
- Consent: In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, the app asks for your consent using Google's consent form (Google UMP / IAB TCF) before showing personalized ads, and you can change your choice later in the app (Settings → Ad privacy choices, where shown).
- Your controls: On Android go to Settings → Privacy → Ads (path varies by device) to delete or reset your advertising ID or opt out of ads personalization. You may still see ads, but they will not be personalized.
- How Google uses data: see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services and the Google Privacy Policy.
- Ads are not intentionally directed to children (see section 7).
3. Summary of data and purposes
| Data | Who processes it | Purpose | Linked to your identity? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language, bookmarks, follows | Stays on your device | App features | No (never sent to us) |
| FCM token / installation ID, topics, IP, device & app info | Google (Firebase Cloud Messaging) | Deliver notification alerts you opted into | No identity; device-level identifier |
| IP address, request details | Google (Firebase Hosting), OpenFreeMap map servers | Deliver the notices file and map data; security | No |
| Advertising ID, IP / approximate location, device & app info, ad interactions, diagnostics | Google (AdMob) and its partners | Show, measure and secure ads; fraud prevention; personalization if allowed | Device-level identifier (advertising ID); not your name or contact details |
4. We do not sell your data
We do not sell personal information. We share data only with the service providers described above (Google Firebase, Google AdMob and its ad partners, OpenFreeMap) to operate the app and show ads. We may disclose information if required by law.
5. Retention and deletion
- Data on your device is deleted when you uninstall the app or clear its storage.
- Topic subscriptions end when you unfollow a university or uninstall the app; Google removes inactive FCM registrations on its own schedule.
- Logs and ad data held by Google are kept according to Google's policies and settings.
- Because we hold no account or personal profile about you, there is nothing for us to delete on our side. To request information about, or deletion of, any data connected to your device that we can access, email pixelperklabs@gmail.com. For data held by Google, use your Google Account / Android ads settings.
6. Security and international transfers
Network connections use HTTPS where the service supports it. Google and OpenFreeMap process data on servers that may be outside Bangladesh, including in the United States and other countries. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure.
7. Children
The app is a general-audience education guide for students and parents and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Ads are configured for a general audience and, where required, are treated in line with Google's policies for users under the age of consent. If you believe a child has provided data, contact us and we will help.
8. Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example in the EEA/UK under GDPR/UK GDPR, or in California), you may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to the processing of your personal data, to withdraw consent at any time, and to complain to your data protection authority. Because we do not hold an account profile about you, most controls are in your device (notifications, ad settings, uninstall) and in Google's tools. Contact us if you need help.
9. Changes to this policy
If we add features that change how data is handled, we will update this page before or when the change is released.
10. Contact
Questions or requests: pixelperklabs@gmail.com
Information in the app is for general guidance and may be out of date. Always confirm admission details on the university's official website.