FereReader
Last updated: July 8, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how FereReader (“we,” “us,” or “the App”) collects, uses, stores, and protects information when you use our Android eBook reader application.
FereReader is a local-first eBook reader. When you use this Android release normally, the following information is primarily stored on your device:
We do not read, analyze, or upload the body text of your eBooks for advertising, user profiling, AI model training, or other purposes unrelated to providing reading features.
[Important] About your eBook content: Books you import and your reading notes are stored on your device by default and are not proactively uploaded to our servers to provide core reading features. We do not transmit such materials to our servers for the purpose of collecting your personal manuscript content.
In addition to the local data above, we may receive information from you only when you actively use “Feedback”:
This content is usually sent through your system email client; whether and what you send is entirely your choice. We do not require account registration because of this, and we do not automatically upload your eBook content.
To measure app usage, evaluate product improvements, and investigate crashes, this Android release integrates Google Firebase. When you use the App and your device has a network connection, the SDK may automatically collect and send the following information to Google’s servers for processing (this does not include the body text of your eBooks, your library list, reading notes, or highlights):
| Service | Types of information that may be collected | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase Analytics | May include app usage information, device information, OS version, language settings, approximate geographic region, app installation identifiers, and other information related to app analytics | To understand feature usage, assess version stability and user experience, and improve the product; not used to serve ads to you or build profiles related to your reading content |
| Firebase Crashlytics | May include crash diagnostic information, device information, app version, OS version, and other information related to stability troubleshooting | To identify and fix defects and improve app stability |
This data is processed through services provided by Firebase (Google); specific processing practices are governed by Firebase’s and Google’s applicable privacy policies and service documentation. We do not intentionally upload your name, email address, phone number, or eBook content through Firebase. Analytics and Crashlytics require network connectivity; if you are offline, related data may be cached locally and transmitted when connectivity is restored.
Note: For the current Google Play release, the App does not connect to Supabase cloud sync, WebDAV, OpenAI / Gemini, or similar AI services, and does not use Microsoft Edge TTS or system read-aloud features to transmit text to be read externally.
Therefore, when you use this release normally, your eBook content and reading records are not sent to us or those third parties through those features. If future versions add such capabilities, we will update this policy and provide notice in the App or on the store listing.
The Android release uses the following Google Firebase services:
This data is processed by Firebase (Google) under its terms of service and privacy policies. You may review:
According to Google, Firebase services do not use Analytics or Crashlytics data to show personalized ads to users of this App. We have not configured custom Firebase events that upload your eBook content.
You may limit the use of advertising identifiers through privacy settings provided by your Android system; the exact path may vary by device manufacturer and Android version.
Except for information automatically collected by the Firebase SDK for statistics and crash diagnostics, we do not upload your eBook body text, library list, reading notes, highlights, or other reading content to Firebase.
To provide relevant features, the App declares or may use the following permissions (as merged into the final manifest on your device):
| Permission | Purpose |
|---|---|
android.permission.INTERNET |
Used to transmit Firebase Analytics and Crashlytics statistics and crash diagnostic data, send feedback when you choose to do so, and communicate with Firebase and other essential network services required by the App. This release does not proactively upload your eBook content for core reading features. |
android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE |
Used to determine network connectivity so Analytics / Crashlytics data can be reported when a network is available, and to avoid unnecessary network requests when offline. |
android.permission.WAKE_LOCK |
Used when you enable “Keep screen on while reading” to prevent the screen from turning off during reading. |
android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE(Android 12 and below only, maxSdkVersion="32") |
On older system versions, supports legacy storage access mechanisms; on Android 13 and above, file import is primarily done through the system file picker (SAF) and does not rely on this permission. |
[Permissions not used in this release]: The current Android version does
not request: “All files access” (MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE), photo library
read access (READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, etc.), notifications (POST_NOTIFICATIONS), or
foreground services (FOREGROUND_SERVICE, etc.). Book import is done through the system file
picker or Share / Open with; saving images to the gallery uses the system MediaStore write mechanism.
Note: You can view and manage permissions under your system App info → Permissions. Denying some permissions may make related features unavailable.
When you hand an eBook file to this App through system Share, Open with, or another app, the interaction is coordinated by the Android system and the source app. The App accesses content only to the extent needed for the import or reading action you choose.
When you use in-app Import, you typically select files through the system file picker; the App does not scan your entire device storage without your action.
If you save an image from the reader to your system gallery, the write operation uses mechanisms provided by Android and does not require reading other photos in your gallery.
We use relevant information only for the following purposes:
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information for unrelated marketing. Data may be processed or disclosed only in the following circumstances:
We take your information security seriously. Data related to core reading features is primarily processed on your device. Data transmitted through Firebase is protected by Google’s infrastructure encryption. Please keep your device secure to prevent unauthorized access to your library and notes.
This App is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps as required by law after verification.
Where applicable law allows, you may have the right to know about, access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of information relating to you. You may delete local library and note data in the App, or uninstall the App to stop using it.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updated versions will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. If changes are material, we will provide notice as required by applicable law. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Email: support@ferebook.org
You may also use the in-app “Feedback” feature if it is available in your version.
We encourage you to read this Privacy Policy before using the App. By continuing to use the App, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy; if you do not agree, please stop using the App.