The New Driver (נהג חדש) application is developed and maintained by avih6 as a free, ad-supported utility application. This SERVICE is provided at no cost and is intended for use "AS IS".
This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled, stored, and protected during the use of the New Driver mobile application and its associated web pages. The application is built on a privacy-first approach: personal driving calculations, test dates, and driving logs remain strictly on the local device by default, and no personal driving data is shared or sold.
By downloading or using the Service, the user agrees to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Important Legal & Government Disclaimer
Independent Utility Aid: New Driver is an independent tool developed solely by avih6.
• No Government Affiliation: This application is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated on behalf of the Israel Ministry of Transport and Road Safety (משרד התחבורה והבטיחות בדרכים), Israel Police, or any governmental or municipal entity.
• Informational Purpose Only: The calculated accompaniment periods (מלווה יום / מלווה לילה), passenger limitations, timers, and driving hour logs are provided as an educational and personal organizational aid only. They do NOT constitute legal advice or an official government driving permit.
• User Responsibility: The driver and supervising companion are solely responsible for verifying and complying with all official driving laws, license restrictions, and road safety regulations.
3. Data Handling, Storage & Synchronization
3.1 Local Offline Storage (Default)
By default, all personal data entered into the application is stored strictly in a private, encrypted local database (Room SQLite) and SharedPreferences on the physical device:
Dates: Birth date, driving test pass date, and calculated accompaniment milestones.
Local Preferences: UI themes, target goals, and local reminder preferences.
Personal driving logs and milestone dates are never transmitted to external servers without explicit user sign-in.
3.2 Optional Cloud Backup & Synchronization
Users may optionally choose to sign in using a Google account to back up and synchronize driving records across Android devices:
Synchronized Data: If enabled, driving logs (dates, durations, road types), target hours, and milestone progress are securely synchronized using Google Cloud Firestore and Firebase Authentication.
Google Account Authentication: When signing in, the application accesses strictly:
Email Address: Displayed in the App Settings to indicate the currently connected account.
Google User ID (UID): A unique, pseudonymous identifier used strictly to link the cloud backup documents to the user's account.
No Third-Party Sharing: Driving logs and personal account data stored in Firestore are strictly private to the user's account and are never sold, rented, or shared with third-party advertisers.
3.3 Foreground Service Permission & Live Drive Tracking
The Live Drive feature allows real-time duration tracking during a drive:
The application utilizes an Android Foreground Service (FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE) strictly to keep the driving timer active in the background and display an ongoing status notification while driving.
No GPS Location Tracking: Live Drive measures elapsed trip duration only, without accessing, recording, or storing GPS location data or driving routes.
4. Third-Party Services & Technical Data Collection
4.1 Technical Identifiers & Analytics
To ensure app stability, monitor performance, and improve user experience, the app incorporates reputable industry-standard SDKs provided by Google LLC:
Google Analytics for Firebase: Collects aggregated, non-personally identifiable usage statistics (such as screen views and feature engagement). Firebase automatically derives coarse, city-level geographic data from IP addresses on Google servers without accessing device GPS. This aggregated data is completely separate from any Google Sign-In user account.
Firebase Crashlytics & Performance Monitoring: Automatically collects crash logs, stack traces, and device hardware/OS specifications to troubleshoot and fix technical issues.
Firebase App Check & Play Integrity: Verifies the authenticity and integrity of the application binary against tampering and piracy.
Firebase Remote Config: Dynamically fetches non-personal configuration values (such as feature flags and official reference links).
4.2 Advertisements & Android Privacy Sandbox
Google AdMob: Used to display non-intrusive advertisements. AdMob may process advertising identifiers (Google Advertising ID / AAID), device identifiers, and IP addresses to serve and measure ads. Google automatically anonymizes log data by removing portions of IP addresses after 9 months and cookie data after 18 months.
Privacy Sandbox for Android: The application supports modern privacy-preserving advertising APIs in Android 13+ (such as AdServices Topics and Attribution APIs) designed to eliminate cross-app tracking.
GDPR & Consent Management (EEA/UK): For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and Switzerland, the Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK presents a regulatory consent dialog to manage advertising preferences. Choices can be modified at any time in the app settings.
4.3 Third-Party Privacy Policy References
For more information on how Google processes and protects technical and advertising data, review Google's official documentation:
Any download or distribution through third-party websites, APK mirror portals, or unofficial app stores is unauthorized and unmaintained. avih6 assumes no responsibility for modified, corrupted, or potentially harmful APK files obtained outside the official Google Play Store.
6. User Rights, Data Control & Deletion
Users maintain complete sovereignty over their data:
Local Data Deletion (Reset): Users can permanently delete all locally stored driving records, test dates, and preferences at any time using the "איפוס נתונים" (Reset Data) button located in the App Settings.
In-App Cloud Profile Deletion: If Google Sign-In was enabled, users can permanently erase the entire cloud profile, driving logs, and authentication records by tapping "מחיקת חשבון" (Delete Account) in the App Settings. This action immediately and irreversibly purges the data from Google Cloud Firestore.
Manual Deletion Request & Identity Verification: Users may also submit a manual deletion request by emailing av6development@gmail.com. To prevent unauthorized deletions and protect user privacy, the deletion request must be sent directly from the specific Google account email address associated with the records to be deleted. If no confirmation is received, please send a reminder email with "Data Deletion Reminder" in the subject line, or submit a request via the "Contact Developer" feedback option in the App Settings.
Anonymous Diagnostics & Telemetry: Deletion requests apply exclusively to personal driving logs, test dates, and account profiles stored in Google Cloud Firestore. Aggregated, pseudonymous analytics and crash telemetry collected by Firebase are not linked to user identities and are automatically retained and expired according to Google's standard data lifecycle policies.
7. Data Security
Security of user information is prioritized, and commercially reasonable technical and organizational safeguards are employed. However, no method of electronic storage or internet transmission is 100% immune to vulnerabilities, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
8. Children’s Privacy
The Service is designed for drivers and learner drivers (typically ages 16 and older). There is no intentional collection or solicitation of personal information from children under the age of 13. If it is discovered that a child under 13 has provided personal data without parental consent, please send a notification immediately to the contact email so that the information can be promptly removed.
9. Compliance with Israeli Law & International Scope
Israeli Privacy Protection Law (חוק הגנת הפרטיות): Processing of personal data complies with the provisions of Israeli law. Users residing in Israel possess the right to review and request correction or deletion of their personal information.
European GDPR & UK GDPR Compliance: While the Service is intended primarily for audiences in Israel, the Application actively supports GDPR and UK GDPR privacy standards for users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, and Switzerland. This includes integration of the Google User Messaging Platform (UMP) SDK for regulatory advertising consent, transparent cloud data handling in Google Cloud Firestore, and full user rights to access, export, and permanently delete personal driving records.
10. Policy Changes & Transfer of Ownership
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically by posting the revised version on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. In the event of a merger, acquisition, or transfer of the application or its service, stored data will remain subject to the provisions of this Privacy Policy.
11. Contact Information
For any questions, suggestions, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact: