Privacy Policy — ObdLink

Last updated: April 28, 2026

ObdLink (“the app”) is an Android application that connects to ELM327-compatible OBD-II Bluetooth adapters to display live vehicle telemetry and read diagnostic trouble codes from your vehicle.

This policy describes what information the app accesses, what it sends off-device, and your choices.

TL;DR

The app does not collect your name, email, phone number, location, or any account data.
Vehicle data (RPM, speed, temperatures, VIN, DTCs) stays on your device.
The only data sent off-device is opt-out crash reports that contain technical diagnostics — never your VIN, GPS, or vehicle data.
The app needs Bluetooth permission to talk to your OBD-II adapter. It does not request location permission on Android 12 (API 31) or newer.

Data the app handles on your device

The following stay on your device and are never transmitted:

Bluetooth pairing list (provided by the OS).
The selected adapter's name and MAC address (stored locally so the app can reconnect).
OBD-II responses from your vehicle, including but not limited to: engine RPM, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, intake air temperature, throttle position, engine load, control module voltage, and Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), if you read it via mode 09.

Data sent off-device

Crash reports (Firebase Crashlytics) — opt-out

If you leave crash reporting enabled (Settings → Privacy → Send crash reports), the app sends the following to Google Firebase Crashlytics when the app crashes or encounters a handled exception:

Device model and manufacturer (e.g. “Samsung SM-G998B”).
Android version (API level).
App version and build type.
The friendly name of the connected ELM327 adapter (e.g. “OBDII”). The Bluetooth MAC address is not sent.
The detected OBD-II protocol number, if any.
The last OBD/AT command issued before the crash (e.g. 010C, ATSP0).
A short ring-buffer of breadcrumb events (“connect requested”, “init failed at 0100”, etc.).
The stack trace and an anonymous installation identifier generated by Crashlytics.

The app does not send: your VIN, GPS location, vehicle data values, the adapter's MAC address, or any identifier that could be linked back to you.

You can disable crash reporting at any time in Settings → Privacy. When disabled, no crash data is sent.

Aggregate analytics (Firebase Analytics)

Firebase Analytics is bundled with Crashlytics and may collect aggregate, anonymous app-usage events (app starts, screen views) and an anonymous installation identifier. It does not collect your name, email, or vehicle data. Disabling crash reporting in Settings also disables analytics collection.

Permissions

Permission	Why we need it
`BLUETOOTH_CONNECT` (Android 12+)	Talk to your already-paired ELM327 adapter
`BLUETOOTH_SCAN` with `neverForLocation` (Android 12+)	Discover unpaired ELM327 adapters; we explicitly tell Android we will not derive location from this
`BLUETOOTH`, `BLUETOOTH_ADMIN` (Android 11 and below)	Same as above on legacy Android
`ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION` (Android 11 and below only)	Required by older Android versions to perform Bluetooth discovery; we do not use your location
`FOREGROUND_SERVICE`, `FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CONNECTED_DEVICE`	Keep the OBD-II connection alive when your screen is off
`POST_NOTIFICATIONS`	Show the foreground-service notification while connected

The app does not request internet or location permissions on Android 12+.

Children

The app is a vehicle-diagnostics tool for adults. It is not directed at children and we do not knowingly collect data from them.

Your choices

Disable crash reporting: Settings → Privacy → Send crash reports.
Forget the saved adapter: Forget device in the app, or uninstall.
Revoke Bluetooth permission: Android Settings → Apps → ObdLink → Permissions.

Data retention

Crashlytics retains crash data for up to 90 days per Google's standard policy. We do not maintain a separate database of users.

Changes

If we materially change what data is sent off-device, we will update this page and bump the “Last updated” date above. Continued use after a change constitutes acceptance.

Contact

For questions about this policy: posh-obd-link-support@posharchitecture.solutions

The application is published by Posh Architecture Solutions.