Privacy policy

Effective November 15, 2026

StoreGate is an Android app that keeps the Google Play Store closed on a schedule and lets a parent lock or unlock it remotely. It is published by Socrates One ("we"). This policy explains what the app stores, why, and how to delete it.

The short version. No ads, no analytics, no tracking, and we never sell or share your data. If you use StoreGate on a single device, nothing leaves that device. If you link a parent phone, the minimum needed to show and change the tablet's lock state is stored in Google Firebase. You can delete it at any time.

1. Data that stays on the device

These are kept in the app's private storage and are never uploaded or included in Android backups:

The parent PIN, stored only as a salted hash
The lock schedule, any active lock or unlock, and app settings
A short local history of lock and unlock events, and how many times the Play Store was closed today

2. Data stored online when you link devices

Linking is optional. When you use it, StoreGate uses Google Firebase (Authentication and Cloud Firestore) to sync the following:

Data	From	Why
Your Google account email address and a Firebase user id	Parent phone (Sign in with Google)	To create your family and show which account a tablet belongs to
A random, anonymous Firebase user id	Kid devices that join with a code	To let the tablet read your commands. No name, email or other details about the child are collected.
Device name (the one you type), device model, app version and role (parent or kid)	Each linked device	To list your devices on the parent phone
Lock state: whether the Play Store should be locked, why, the next scheduled change, whether the blocker is switched on, how many times the Play Store was closed today, and the last check-in time	Kid devices	To show the tablet's state on the parent phone
Lock and unlock commands, with the time sent	Parent phone	So the tablet can follow them
Join codes (6 characters, valid 15 minutes)	Parent phone	To link a tablet without adding your Google account to it

StoreGate does not collect location, contacts, photos, browsing history, the apps a child uses, or what is on the screen.

3. The accessibility service

The Play Store blocker is an Android accessibility service. It is set to receive events only from the Play Store app (com.android.vending). It checks which app is in front, and when the Play Store opens during a lock time it returns to the home screen. It does not read text, input or anything else on the screen, and nothing it sees is stored or sent anywhere. It is not used for any other purpose.

4. Optional Shizuku integration

If you install Shizuku, StoreGate can also hide the Play Store icon by disabling the app on the device. This happens entirely on the device and sends no data.

5. Service providers and where data is stored

Linked data is processed by Google LLC as our service provider through Firebase, and stored in Google Cloud data centers in the United States. Google may process technical information such as IP addresses to provide the service. See the Firebase privacy and security information and the Google Privacy Policy. All data is encrypted in transit. Access is limited by security rules so only devices in your family can read your family's data.

6. How long data is kept

Device records and commands are kept while the device is linked. Removing a device from the parent phone deletes its record.
Unused join codes expire after 15 minutes and are deleted automatically, usually within a day.
Deleting your family deletes all of the above plus your account, right away.
Data on the device is deleted when you uninstall the app.

7. Deleting your data

On the parent phone open StoreGate and tap Delete family and account. This removes your family, all linked devices, all commands and your StoreGate account. You can also ask us by email. See Delete your account for every option.

8. Children

StoreGate is meant to be set up and controlled by a parent or guardian. Kid devices join with a code and an anonymous id. We do not ask for or collect a child's name, email, age or any other personal information, and nothing is used for advertising.

9. Your rights

You can ask us to access, correct or delete your data at any time by emailing support@socrates-one.us. We answer within 30 days.

10. Changes

If this policy changes, we will update this page and the date at the top. Significant changes will also be shown in the app.

11. Contact

Socrates One · support@socrates-one.us · storegate.socrates-one.us