Privacy Policy for PBTSL

 Last Updated: January 27, 2026

PBTSL ("us", "we", or "our") operates the PBTSL - Public Bus Tracker Sri Lanka mobile application (the "Service"). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.

1. Information Collection and Use

We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you.

Types of Data Collected

Precise Location Data

The core feature of PBTSL is real-time bus tracking. If you choose to use the "Broadcast" feature, the Service collects precise GPS location data from your device. This data is used to show your bus's position to other commuters on the map.

• User Choice: Location broadcasting is strictly user-initiated. You must explicitly agree to share your location by clicking "I Agree" before tracking begins.
• Background Usage: Location is collected via a Foreground Service (with a persistent notification) to ensure tracking continues if you lock your screen or use other apps during your journey.

Device Identifiers

We collect unique device identifiers (such as the Android ID) to uniquely identify bus records in our database and prevent duplicate or fraudulent broadcasts. This ID is used for internal app functionality and is not shared with other users.

2. Third-Party Services

We use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service and to show advertisements to help support the Service.

• Google Play Services: Used for app distribution and core functionality.
• Firebase Realtime Database: Used to store and synchronize bus location data in real-time.
• Google AdMob: We use Google AdMob to serve advertisements. AdMob may use your device's Advertising ID to serve personalized ads and for analytics.

3. Data Sharing

When you use the "Broadcast" feature, your live location, route number, and provided bus details are shared with all other users of the PBTSL app so they can track the bus on the map. We do not share your device identifiers or personal identity with other users.

4. Data Retention and Deletion

• Active Data: Location data is updated every 3 seconds while broadcasting.
• Automatic Expiry: Broadcasts automatically go offline and stop sharing data after your selected duration (e.g., 15 minutes) or when you manually stop the broadcast.
• User-Controlled Deletion: We provide a History feature within the app. You can view your past broadcasts and delete them at any time. Deleting a record from your history will permanently remove that data from our Firebase cloud database instantly.
• Manual Request: For any other data deletion requests, you may contact us at shavinda.dev@gmail.com

5. Security

The security of your data is important to us. We use industry-standard encryption (HTTPS/TLS) to protect your data during transit from your device to our servers.

6. Children's Privacy

Our Service is intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so that we can remove it.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to request data deletion, please contact us:

• By email: shavinda.dev@gmail.com