Android companion app

MEDBugConnect Privacy Policy

This page is the Play Store and in-app policy for the MEDBugConnect Android app. It is separate from the research enquiry notice on the home page.

Last updated: 12 September 2026
Contact: medbug@flinders.edu.au
App ID: com.medbug.connect

What the app does

MEDBugConnect is a companion app for a physical MEDBUG device. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect, optionally configures the device Wi‑Fi network, and can show live sensor streams when a device is connected.

Demo dashboards and sample UI screens are illustrative only. They are not medical records, diagnoses, or treatment plans. MEDBugConnect is not a medical device.

Data we process

DataWhyLeaves the phone?
Bluetooth device name / addressFind and connect to your MEDBUGOnly over the local BLE link
Wi‑Fi SSID + password you enterProvision the MEDBUG onto your networkSent over BLE to the connected device only; not uploaded to our servers; not stored by the app
Nearby Wi‑Fi / LocationList SSIDs for provisioningUsed only to populate the SSID list; not for tracking or ads. You can type the SSID manually if you decline permission.
Live sensor samples (monitor mode)Display waveforms when connectedProcessed locally / over BLE; not uploaded by this app build

Wi‑Fi credential security

Credentials are sent only to your connected MEDBUG device over the local BLE GATT link. Current MEDBUG firmware does not support Bluetooth pairing / LE Secure Connections, so the app does not start system pairing and does not claim link-layer encryption for this write. The password is not written to app storage, logs, or Android backup. Do not provision on an untrusted phone. Keep the phone unlocked only while sending credentials, and use a trusted network password.

What we do not do

  • We do not sell personal data.
  • We do not use location for advertising or analytics in this build.
  • We do not present sample UI numbers as your clinical diagnosis.
  • Android backup of app data is disabled.

Permissions

  • BLUETOOTH_SCAN / BLUETOOTH_CONNECT — core companion features (neverForLocation where applicable)
  • NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES (Android 13+) — list SSIDs for provisioning
  • ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION / ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION — required on Android 13+ (including Samsung) for WifiManager.getScanResults(); disclosed before the system prompt. Not used for tracking.

Retention and deletion

Wi‑Fi passwords are not retained by the app. Uninstalling removes local app data. This version has no cloud account.

Children

Not directed at children under 13.

Changes

If this policy changes, we will update this page and keep the in-app link pointing to the same URL.