Skip to main content
HomeLog inLaunch updates

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Formidably Mobile.

Last updated: 15 May 2026 Effective date: 15 May 2026

1. Who We Are

Formidably Mobile is published by Formidably Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. We are the data controller for personal data processed through the Formidably Mobile application. Contact us at: contact form (or by writing to: Formidably Ltd, Unit A Crescent Trade Park, Redditch B98 9DZ).

2. What Formidably Mobile Does

Formidably Mobile is a distraction-free Android launcher. It replaces the standard Android home screen with a calm, intentional interface. It can connect to a formidably.life household subscription, giving household members access to shared features such as tasks, meals, habits, and family messaging. It is not a locked-down or parental control device: it is designed to support intentional use of technology.

3. Android Permissions: What We Request and Why

Formidably Mobile requests the following Android permissions. We explain each one so you know exactly what data is accessed and for what purpose.

3.1 Location Permissions

Permissions: ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION

Purpose: Household location sharing within your formidably.life household. Location is shared only with members of the same household. Three sharing modes are available: background (periodic updates), live meetup (higher frequency during an active session you initiate), and manual (you share a specific location). The household administrator controls which members have location sharing enabled.

Data collected: latitude, longitude, accuracy in metres, timestamp.

Retention: location data expires after a period you or the administrator configures. Expired data is deleted from our servers within 30 days.

Location data is never shared with third parties, never used for advertising, and never leaves your household's data scope.

3.2 Package Query and Usage Statistics

Permissions: QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES, PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS (protected permission)

Purpose: QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES is required for the launcher to display the list of installed apps on your home screen. Without it, Android 11+ restricts the app list to a small set. PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS is used solely to detect which app is currently in the foreground, so the app-blocking feature can determine when a restricted app is open. We do not build profiles of app usage, transmit usage statistics to our servers, or use this data for any purpose beyond local app management on the device.

No usage statistics are transmitted to Formidably Ltd or any third party.

3.3 VPN Service

Permission: BIND_VPN_SERVICE

Purpose: The app uses a local VPN interface for on-device app blocking only. This VPN operates entirely within the device. It does not route traffic through any external server, does not log or inspect internet traffic content, does not capture passwords or personal communications, and does not transmit any network data to Formidably Ltd. It is used solely to intercept DNS requests for blocked app domains at the local level. No traffic leaves the device through our infrastructure.

This is a common technique used by distraction management and focus apps. It requires VPN permission but does not create a traditional VPN connection.

3.4 Device Administrator

Permission: DEVICE_ADMIN (via DevicePolicyManager)

Purpose: The Device Administrator capability is used to allow Formidably Mobile to function as the persistent home screen and to support enterprise provisioning in school environments (Managed Device Owner profile). For consumer use, it ensures the launcher cannot be easily bypassed. It does not allow Formidably Ltd to remotely wipe, lock, or access content on your device. All Device Admin functionality operates locally.

3.5 Foreground Service Permissions

Permissions: FOREGROUND_SERVICE, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SYSTEM_EXEMPTED, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION

Purpose: These permissions allow the app-blocking service and location capture service to run reliably in the background with a visible notification, as required by Android for background services. The visible notification ensures transparency that the service is running.

3.6 Boot Permission

Permission: RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED

Purpose: Allows the app to restart its background services when the device is rebooted, so app blocking and location sharing resume without requiring manual app launch.

3.7 Wallpaper

Permission: SET_WALLPAPER

Purpose: Allows the launcher to set the device wallpaper as part of the home screen experience. No wallpaper data is transmitted to our servers.

3.8 Network Access

Permissions: INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

Purpose: Required to communicate with the formidably.life API for household features (tasks, messages, location sharing, etc.) and to check network connectivity before attempting sync.

3.9 Analytics Cookies

We use Google Tag Manager (GTM) to manage tracking tags on our websites. GTM itself is only loaded after you consent to analytics or marketing cookies. We have implemented Google Consent Mode v2, which defaults all consent signals to denied. The signals analytics_storage, ad_storage, ad_user_data, and ad_personalization are only set to granted after you give the relevant consent.

With your consent to analytics cookies, we load Google Analytics 4 (GA4). GA4 collects information about your visit such as pages viewed, time on site, referring website, and general location (country/city level, not precise). This data is aggregated and used only to improve our websites and content. GA4 is operated by Google LLC; data may be transferred to the United States under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

Legal basis: consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)). If you decline analytics cookies, GA4 does not run. If you decline both analytics and marketing cookies, GTM does not load for your session. You can change your choice at any time via the cookie settings link in our footer. You can also opt out globally via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout).

3.10 Marketing and Retargeting Cookies

With your consent to marketing cookies, we load advertising pixels to support retargeting campaigns. We use:

  • Meta Pixel (Facebook/Instagram): measures the effectiveness of our advertising on Meta platforms by tracking actions taken on our website after clicking a Meta ad. Operated by Meta Platforms, Inc. Data may be transferred to the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses.
  • Pinterest Tag: measures conversions and enables retargeting on Pinterest. Operated by Pinterest, Inc. Data may be transferred to the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses.

Neither the Meta Pixel nor the Pinterest Tag fires unless you have consented to marketing cookies. We do not use these pixels to build profiles about you outside the context of our own advertising campaigns. You can opt out of Meta's data use for advertising at facebook.com/settings, and Pinterest's at pinterest.com/settings/privacy.

Legal basis: consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)). You can withdraw consent at any time via the cookie settings link in our footer.

3.11 Email List and Newsletter

Across our websites, we offer the opportunity to join our email list. When you sign up you provide your name (optional) and email address, and tick a consent checkbox confirming you agree to receive Formidably updates by email. We also use gated downloads: if you request a free resource, you provide your name and email address, and optionally consent to receive further emails from us.

We collect and store: name (where provided), email address, the date and source of your signup, and your consent record. Your consent record is retained permanently so we can demonstrate lawful processing.

Legal basis: consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)). You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send, or by contacting contact form. Unsubscribing does not delete your account or affect your access to products you have purchased.

We use Resend to send emails. Resend processes your email address on our behalf under a data processing agreement.

4. Data We Collect

In addition to location data (Section 3.1), when you use Formidably Mobile connected to a formidably.life account we collect:

  • Authentication tokens to maintain your session with formidably.life.
  • Device type and OS version for compatibility and support purposes.
  • Error logs for crash reporting and debugging (no personal content included).

We do not collect: browsing history, app usage history, the content of messages in other apps, call records, SMS content, or any data unrelated to the formidably.life household features.

5. Child Accounts and Parental Control

Formidably Mobile is designed for use by adults and, in household contexts, by children under adult supervision. In all cases where a child uses the app:

  • The child's account is created by the household administrator (an adult).
  • The administrator controls what features are accessible to the child.
  • Location sharing for child members is enabled and configured by the administrator.
  • We comply with the UK Children's Code (Age Appropriate Design Code). We do not use children's data for profiling, marketing, or any purpose beyond the household service.

In school deployments, the school acts as the data controller for student data collected through the managed device profile. Formidably Ltd acts as a data processor in that context. A separate Data Processing Agreement is available for schools on request at contact form.

6. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell personal data. Data is shared only with:

  • Supabase (EU): database and authentication infrastructure.
  • Cloudflare (global): CDN and network protection.
  • Google Play Services (device-level, Android standard): standard Android platform services.
  • Google LLC (public website only): Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics when analytics consent is granted.
  • Meta Platforms, Inc. (public website only): Meta Pixel advertising measurement and retargeting when marketing consent is granted.
  • Pinterest, Inc. (public website only): Pinterest Tag advertising measurement and retargeting when marketing consent is granted.

If you connect the app to a formidably.life household subscription, the processors listed in the formidably.life Privacy Policy also apply.

7. Data Retention

  • Authentication tokens: stored until you sign out or the token expires.
  • Location data: as described in Section 3.1 above.
  • Error logs: retained for 30 days.
  • On account deletion: all personal data deleted within 30 days.

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to access, correct, erase, restrict, or port your personal data. To exercise these rights, contact contact form. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk). We will respond within one calendar month.

9. Security

Data in transit is encrypted with TLS. Authentication tokens are stored securely using Android's Keystore system where supported. We do not store any traffic content or on-device content on our servers.

10. Third-Party SDKs and Website Cookies

Formidably Mobile does not include advertising SDKs, analytics SDKs that transmit personal data to third parties, or social media SDKs. Any standard Android platform libraries we use are subject to Google's standard terms.

The public Formidably Mobile website may use Google Analytics through Google Tag Manager after analytics consent. It may also use Meta Pixel and Pinterest Tag for advertising measurement and retargeting after marketing consent. These website tags do not run inside the Android app. See our Cookie Policy for the full cookie table.

11. Changes to This Policy

We will notify you of material changes via an in-app notification and email (where we hold your email address) at least 14 days before they take effect.

12. Contact

Formidably Ltd

Contact: contact form

Website: formidably.mobile

Registered in England and Wales. Governing law: England and Wales.