FileNest Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 2026•Application ID: com.filenest.app•Developer: Gree Web Solutions
1. Introduction & Developer Identity
Welcome to FileNest ("FileNest", "the Application", "we", "us", or "our"), an advanced native media studio, video player, audio hub, gallery, and encrypted private vault developed and maintained by Gree Web Solutions ("Developer", "Company").
We understand the sensitivity of personal photos, home videos, audio recordings, and media files. This Privacy Policy explains how FileNest operates on your Android device, our strict local-first privacy architecture, the precise technical purposes for which device permissions are requested, and how advertisements are served via Google AdMob and our mediation partners (Meta Audience Network and Unity Ads) in compliance with Google Play Developer Policies and global privacy regulations (EU GDPR, UK DPA, US CCPA/CPRA).
2. Local-First Architecture (Zero Cloud Storage of Media)
Unlike cloud backup services, FileNest is engineered as a 100% on-device media manager.
- On-Device Media Indexing: Media indexing is performed directly against Android's local
MediaStoreandContentResolverAPIs across internal storage and removable SD cards. - No Remote File Uploads: Your images, video clips, music tracks, subtitles, playlists, and folder structures are never transferred to Gree Web Solutions servers or any third-party cloud.
- Offline Functionality: Core media playback, gallery browsing, audio equalization, video gestures, and vault access operate completely offline without internet connectivity.
3. Android Device Permissions & Operational Purposes
FileNest requests only permissions strictly necessary to deliver media browsing, playback, system integration, and optional utility features:
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, READ_MEDIA_VIDEO, READ_MEDIA_AUDIO & READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTEDPurpose (Android 13+ / API 33+): Allows FileNest to discover, organize, render thumbnails, and play photos, videos, and music from device storage, including partial selection grants on Android 14+.
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE & WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEPurpose (Legacy Android ≤ API 32 / ≤ API 28): Provides backward compatibility for media indexing on older Android versions and allows exporting/restoring decrypted media from the Private Vault back to public storage on Android 9 and below.
RECORD_AUDIO (Special Technical Disclosure)Purpose & Privacy Safeguard: This permission is requested solely and exclusively if the user explicitly opts into the real-time audio visualizer in the audio player. Android's audio subsystem (android.media.audiofx.Visualizer) requires this platform permission to tap the device's own playback output session and render the animated waveform canvas. FileNest DOES NOT record, listen to, capture, store, or transmit your microphone audio or voice data under any circumstances.
FOREGROUND_SERVICE & FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACKPurpose: Allows continuous, uninterrupted background music and video audio playback when the application is minimized, screen is turned off, or picture-in-picture mode is engaged.
POST_NOTIFICATIONS & WAKE_LOCKPurpose: Displays interactive media playback controls (play, pause, skip, album art) in the notification shade, exports progress alerts, and prevents the screen from timing out while watching videos.
INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE & ACCESS_WIFI_STATEPurpose: Used to: (1) Discover and stream local media to Google Cast / Chromecast devices over local Wi-Fi, (2) Fetch remote ad unit configurations via Firebase Realtime Database, (3) Request and display advertisements via Google AdMob and mediation networks, and (4) Send anonymized crash and telemetry logs.
SET_WALLPAPERPurpose: Enables the one-tap "Set as Wallpaper" action directly from the photo viewer to apply your chosen image to the device home or lock screen.
4. Advertising, Google AdMob & Mediation Partners
FileNest is offered as a free application supported by digital advertisements. To deliver high-quality, relevant ads and optimize inventory, FileNest integrates the Google Mobile Ads SDK (Google AdMob) alongside third-party mediation ad networks.
A. Ad Formats Used in FileNest
- App Open Ads: Displayed when returning to the library from background state. Never shown over the encrypted vault, video player, or external file viewer intents.
- Adaptive Anchored Banners: Non-intrusive banner ads anchored at the bottom of browsing tabs, respecting navigation bars.
- Interstitial Ads: Full-screen ads shown at natural task transitions (such as closing the video player or finishing a collage) governed by a minimum 150-second pacing cooldown.
- Rewarded Video Ads: User-initiated opt-in ads offering optional premium utility rewards (such as high-res 4096px collage exports, bulk duplicate clearing, or 1 hour of ad-free usage).
B. Primary Ad Network and Mediation Partners
When an ad request is initiated, Google AdMob conducts a real-time mediation auction. The request may be filled by Google or routed to one of our integrated mediation partners:
| Ad Network Partner | Provider Entity | Purpose & Role | Privacy Policy & Opt-Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google AdMob | Google LLC | Primary Ad Server, Bidding, Analytics & UMP Consent | Google Privacy |
| Meta Audience Network | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Mediation Bidding Partner (Banners, Interstitials) | Meta Privacy |
| Unity Ads | Unity Technologies | Mediation Partner (Video, Rewarded & Interstitials) | Unity Privacy |
C. Data Collected by Advertising SDKs
Advertising SDKs may automatically collect certain device and interaction metrics to deliver personalized or contextual ads, prevent click fraud, and calculate publisher revenue:
- Advertising Identifiers: Google Advertising ID (GAID / AAID) — resettable by the user in Android device settings.
- Device & Network Information: Device brand, model, operating system version, screen resolution, locale, mobile carrier, and coarse IP-derived geographical region (country/city level).
- Ad Interaction Telemetry: Impressions recorded, video view duration, click-through rates, and conversion events.
5. User Consent Management & Google UMP (GDPR / CCPA)
FileNest implements the Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK compliant with the IAB Europe Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF v2.2) and global privacy mandates.
How to Change or Revoke Your Ad Privacy Choices:
Under GDPR (EEA/UK) and applicable US state laws, you have the right to change your ad consent at any time. FileNest provides a direct, accessible setting in the app:
- Open FileNest and navigate to Settings.
- Under the Privacy section, tap "Ad privacy choices".
- The official Google consent dialog will reopen, allowing you to customize vendor permissions or withdraw consent for personalized ads.
6. Analytics & Diagnostic Telemetry
To ensure stability and measure ad health, FileNest uses Google Firebase services:
- Firebase Analytics: Collects aggregated, non-identifying telemetry (such as session counts, screen transitions, and
ad_impressionrevenue attribution events) to diagnose crashes and optimize performance. - Firebase Realtime Database: Used strictly to fetch remote ad placement IDs and configuration flags (
appName/filenest). No personal data is written to this database.
7. Private Media Vault & Encryption Standards
FileNest includes an isolated Private Media Vault designed to protect confidential images and video files:
- AES-256 Bit Encryption: Files moved into the Vault are encrypted on-device with AES-256 and removed from public MediaStore indexing.
- Biometric & PIN Authentication: Unlocking the vault requires user authentication via Android BiometricPrompt or a local numeric PIN.
- Zero Cloud Keys: Cryptographic keys remain exclusively inside the device's encrypted Keystore / application sandbox. Gree Web Solutions cannot decrypt or recover vaulted files.
8. EXIF Metadata, GPS Coordinates & Location Stripping
Photos taken on modern smartphones embed EXIF metadata, including camera settings and precise GPS coordinates:
- Local EXIF Viewing: The EXIF panel extracts metadata locally to display capture dates, ISO, aperture, and map coordinates. This metadata is never transmitted to our servers.
- Strip Location on Share Feature: When sharing photos via the app, FileNest offers a built-in privacy sanitiser that creates a temporary copy stripped of all GPS tags before handing the file to external messaging apps or social networks.
9. Chromecast & Local Network Streaming
When casting media to a Google Cast / Chromecast receiver, FileNest spins up an embedded local HTTP server (LocalMediaServer) bound strictly to your local Wi-Fi network. The stream passes directly from your phone to your TV receiver. Your media is never uploaded to any cloud server during casting.
10. Children's Privacy (COPPA & Google Play Families Policy)
FileNest is designed for general audiences and is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or maintain personal information from children.
If a parent or legal guardian discovers that their child has provided personal information or interacted with advertising SDKs without consent, please contact us at info@greewebsolutions.com, and we will take immediate steps to address the inquiry.
11. Your Rights Under GDPR, CCPA/CPRA & Global Privacy Laws
Depending on your jurisdiction, you possess specific statutory rights regarding personal data:
Right to Access & Information
Confirm whether personal data is processed and request details regarding categories of data shared with ad networks.
Right to Opt-Out of Sale / Sharing
We do NOT sell personal data. You can opt out of cross-context behavioral advertising via in-app UMP privacy settings.
Right to Erasure ("Be Forgotten")
Deleting the application immediately destroys all local app preferences, cache, and database records from your device.
Non-Discrimination
We will never discriminate against you, deny features, or degrade application performance for exercising your privacy rights.
12. Third-Party Platform Privacy Policies & Security References
To ensure full compliance, regulatory transparency, and data protection rigor, FileNest links directly to the official privacy, terms, and security documentation of all third-party platforms, SDKs, and services integrated into the app:
Governs application distribution, user safety policies, and Android platform integrity.
Manages programmatic ad auctions, UMP GDPR/CCPA consent dialogues, and ad metrics.
Provides high-quality mediated bidding for banner and interstitial placements.
Powers rich media, rewarded video experiences, and video interstitials.
Provides remote ad placement configurations and non-identifying crash telemetry.
Additional Global Industry Opt-Out Portals:
You may also opt out of interest-based and cross-app advertising across major network participants using standardized self-regulatory programs:
13. Policy Inquiries & Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, our AdMob/Mediation implementation, or wish to submit a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR), please contact the developer: