Privacy Policy

App: AnkiBlock (com.anki.ankiblock) · Last updated: June 26, 2026

This privacy policy describes how AnkiBlock (“we”, “our”, or “the app”) handles information when you use the AnkiBlock Android application. AnkiBlock is developed and maintained by Vincent Schulz as a non-commercial, open-source hobby project distributed free of charge. The app is published on Google Play by Simon & Vincent UG (haftungsbeschränkt) solely for store and compliance requirements.

Summary

• AnkiBlock does not require an account or sign-in.
• AnkiBlock does not operate backend servers that collect your personal data.
• AnkiBlock does not include third-party analytics, advertising, in-app purchases, or crash-reporting SDKs.
• The app may download the Inter UI font from Google Fonts on first use; no personal data is sent with that request.
• Data needed for app blocking and study tracking is processed and stored locally on your device.
• Optional donation links (if shown) open external sites or payment apps; AnkiBlock does not process payments.

Data controller

Vincent Schulz (individual developer)
Contact: ankiblock@trimera.dev or GitHub Issues

Simon & Vincent UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is the Google Play publisher only and does not process your app data. For legal provider details, see our Imprint.

What data the app processes

Data stored locally by AnkiBlock

AnkiBlock stores the following information in a local database on your device:

• Blocked apps: package names and display names of apps you choose to block.
• Study gate settings: cards required to unlock, daily goal, unlock duration, and whether blocking is enabled.
• Daily statistics: cards reviewed, unlocks earned, and blocked launch attempts per calendar day.
• Installed apps cache: package names, display names, optional app icons, system-app flag, and aggregated usage time from the last successful scan (used to show the app picker and usage hints).
• Preferences: onboarding completion and AnkiDroid deck scope settings (via Android SharedPreferences).

This data stays on your device and is not transmitted to us.

Data read from AnkiDroid (not copied to our servers)

With your permission, AnkiBlock reads information from AnkiDroid through AnkiDroid’s public ContentProvider API, including:

• Deck names and identifiers
• Due and new card counts
• Card scheduling metadata needed to track completed reviews during a study session

AnkiBlock uses this data only to display your study queue, open the AnkiDroid reviewer, and determine when you have earned an app unlock. Your flashcards, notes, and review history remain in AnkiDroid. Any sync with AnkiWeb is handled by AnkiDroid, not by AnkiBlock.

Device permissions

AnkiBlock requests the following Android permissions:

• Internet: to download the Inter UI font from Google Fonts (via the open-source Google Fonts package). No personal data is included in these requests. After the font is cached on your device, the app works offline.
• Usage access: to detect when a blocked app is opened and to show approximate app usage time in the picker.
• Display over other apps: to show the study completion overlay after you finish a study session.
• Query installed apps: to list apps you can block.
• AnkiDroid database access (com.ichi2.anki.permission.READ_WRITE_DATABASE): to read deck and card data from AnkiDroid with your consent.
• Foreground service: to monitor the foreground app while enforcing the study gate (shown as a silent, ongoing notification).

You can revoke permissions at any time in Android system settings. Some app features will not work without the relevant permission.

What we do not collect

• Name, email address, or other account credentials (no account system)
• Precise location
• Contacts, photos, microphone, or camera data
• Payment or financial information through the app itself
• Advertising identifiers for tracking

Voluntary tips and donations

AnkiBlock may link to optional ways to support the Anki project or to tip the developer personally on Ko-fi or PayPal. Tips to the developer are private gifts to an individual, not payments to Simon & Vincent UG. The UG is the app publisher for store and legal compliance only; it does not operate a donation or payment service for AnkiBlock.

If you use such a link, you leave AnkiBlock and any payment or personal data you provide is handled solely by that third-party service under its own terms and privacy policy. AnkiBlock does not receive or store your payment details.

Data sharing

We do not sell your personal data. AnkiBlock does not transmit your data to third parties for processing.

Data may be shared only in these limited cases:

• AnkiDroid: when you study, AnkiBlock interacts with the AnkiDroid app installed on your device via its documented API.
• Legal requirements: if required by applicable law, regulation, or valid legal process.

Data retention and deletion

Local AnkiBlock data is kept until you change or clear it in the app, or until you uninstall AnkiBlock. Uninstalling the app removes AnkiBlock’s local database and app-specific preferences from your device.

Data in AnkiDroid is governed by AnkiDroid’s own privacy practices and remains under your control in that app.

Children

AnkiBlock is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

International users

Because AnkiBlock processes data locally on your device and does not operate collection servers, your information is not transferred to us across borders.

Your rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of personal data. Because AnkiBlock stores data locally, you can exercise most of these rights directly by using in-app settings or uninstalling the app.

To contact us about privacy, email ankiblock@trimera.dev or use GitHub Issues.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will reflect the latest version. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Third-party services

AnkiBlock integrates with AnkiDroid (com.ichi2.anki), an independent app. Please review AnkiDroid’s privacy policy for how that app handles your study data.

The app uses the Inter typeface via Google Fonts. When you first open AnkiBlock (or after the font cache is cleared), your device may request font files from Google’s servers. That request does not include your study data, blocked-app choices, or other personal information. See Google Fonts FAQ for details on how Google handles font requests.