† Notice to the reader
Privacy, in plain terms.
GentleSquid is a developer and privacy utility for Android that lets you set your device's reported GPS location to any point you choose, using Android's official mock-location API.
This notice exists because the app handles location data, and you deserve a plain account of what it does with it. The short version: the data stays on your device. The long version is below.
On data the app handles
GentleSquid handles a small number of data points, all of them on your device:
- Real locationRead from the device only to center the map on your current position when you open the picker. It is not transmitted, logged, or persisted by GentleSquid.
- Mock locationThe latitude and longitude you choose. Stored locally so the app can resume your last session and so you can save favorites.
- Saved places and tripsFavorites, routes and saved scenarios you create, kept in a local Room database on the device. GPX files are read or written only where you pick them in the system file picker.
- PreferencesOnboarding state, foreground-service consent acknowledgement, and UI settings, kept in a local DataStore file.
None of this data is uploaded to any server controlled by GentleSquid or its developer. There is no GentleSquid backend.
On data the app does not collect
For the avoidance of doubt, GentleSquid does not:
- require an account, sign-in, or any personally identifying field;
- display advertising or use any advertising identifiers;
- contain third-party analytics, telemetry, or tracking SDKs;
- read your contacts, calendar, files, microphone, or camera;
- read or write data to other apps;
- sell, rent, or share data with brokers, advertisers, or any third party for commercial purposes.
On Mapbox
The map view is rendered with the Mapbox Maps SDK. Like any maps library, it requests map tiles, fonts, and style data from Mapbox's servers as you pan and zoom. Those requests necessarily include your device's IP address and the approximate geographic bounds you are viewing.
Place search sends the text you type, and snapping a route to roads sends that route's waypoints, so Mapbox can return results. Since version 1.3.2 the app switches off the Mapbox SDK's usage telemetry on every launch.
GentleSquid does not send Mapbox your real location, your favorites, or any account identifier. Mapbox's handling of the tile-request data it receives is governed by their own privacy policy:
On the mock-location feature
GentleSquid sets your device's reported GPS coordinates exclusively through Android's official LocationManager test-provider API. Using it requires you to:
- enable Developer Options on your device (Settings → About phone → tap Build number seven times);
- open Developer Options → Select mock location app, and choose GentleSquid.
Without those system-level steps the app cannot mock your location even with all permissions granted. While a mock location is active, GentleSquid runs an Android foreground service and shows a persistent notification, so it is always visible that the feature is on. You can stop mocking from inside the app or directly from the notification.
On data security
Because GentleSquid does not transmit your data, the question of "encryption in transit" applies only to its dependencies. Mapbox tile requests are made over HTTPS. Local data (the Room database and DataStore preferences) is stored in the app's private storage area, which Android isolates from other apps under standard sandboxing.
On data deletion
All GentleSquid data lives on your device. Uninstalling the app permanently removes:
- the local Room database of saved favorites;
- the DataStore preferences file (onboarding state, settings, consent flags);
- any map tiles cached by the Mapbox SDK.
There is no server-side data associated with you to request deletion of. If that ever changes, for example, if a future version adds opt-in crash reporting, this notice will be updated to describe how to request deletion of any data held off-device.
On children
GentleSquid is intended for adult developers and privacy-conscious users, and is rated accordingly on Google Play. It is not directed to children under 13, and it does not knowingly collect any personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided information to the app, write to the address below and it will be addressed.
On changes to this notice
If the app's data handling changes in any way that affects what is described above, for example, the addition of crash reporting, an opt-in cloud-sync feature, or any new third-party SDK, this page will be updated and the version number and effective date in the particulars block will move forward. Material changes will be noted in the Play Store release notes for the corresponding app version.
On correspondence
Questions about this notice, requests, or concerns can be sent in writing to the maintainer. A reply is expected.
Correspondence
privacy enquiries