Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 10, 2026

Meows is a native Android app for monitoring your servers over SSH. This policy explains what it stores and how that information is handled. In short: your data stays on your device, and Meows has no backend of its own.

Information Stored

Everything below is kept locally on your device:

• Server connection details: SSH host, port, username, and your password or private key (encrypted).
• Monitoring data: performance metrics (CPU, memory, disk, network, TCP connections) read from the servers you add.
• Your settings: alert thresholds, notification preferences, and app options you configure.

How the Data Is Used

• To open SSH connections to the servers you add.
• To show live status and history charts.
• To raise notifications when a threshold is crossed or a server goes offline. This is handled entirely on your device — there is no push server.
• For optional encrypted backup to Google Drive, only with your explicit consent.
• To show the geographic location of server IP addresses, using an offline database.

Storage & Security

• Passwords and private keys are encrypted with AES-GCM using keys held in the Android Keystore. An optional master password adds a second layer.
• All data is stored locally through Android's secure storage.
• Monitoring data is kept only for a short rolling window on your device, then removed automatically.
• No monitoring data is sent to any external server.
• SSH connections go directly from your device to your servers.

Third-Party Services

Meows works on its own. Only two optional integrations can involve a third party:

• Google Drive API: optional backup and restore, available only after you sign in and grant consent. Your data is encrypted on the device before it is uploaded. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
• Offline IP database: an IPInfo Lite database bundled inside the app provides IP geolocation. Lookups happen on your device; nothing is sent to any geolocation service.

What I Do Not Do

• I do not sell, rent or trade your information.
• I do not share your credentials or monitoring data with anyone.
• I do not collect analytics, usage statistics, or any device identifier.
• I do not show advertisements.

Permissions

Meows requests a single runtime permission — notifications — and only so it can alert you. You can deny it and keep using the app; you simply will not receive notification alerts.

You can also turn on an optional privacy mode that hides Meows from the recent-apps screen and blocks screenshots and screen recording.

Your Choices

• Review your data through the backup/export feature.
• Delete everything by uninstalling the app.
• Turn features such as notifications or backup on or off at any time.
• Choose which servers are monitored.

Data Retention

• Server configurations are kept until you delete them.
• Monitoring history is kept only briefly, then cleaned automatically.
• Everything is permanently removed when you uninstall the app.

Children's Privacy

Meows is not intended for children under 13, and I do not knowingly collect information from children.

Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy from time to time. Any change will be reflected in the "Last updated" date above.