When you use our iOS or Android app, you will be asked to permit the app to access certain components or operations of your device. Here we cover what those permissions are.

Summary: Our intent when using any private information is to serve you with a better app and Kini device experience. We do not use any of that data for tracking, monitoring or targeting you. We also do not share or sell your information with any third parties.

iOS

 

Bluetooth:

Reason for Usage: Kinis with the latest firmware or those that have been automatically updated to that firmware, can now use Bluetooth for setup, which makes the process much faster, more reliable and less of an annoyance.

Necessary? You really only need Bluetooth enabled for the Kini app for setup or changes to the Kini's Wi-Fi network, so you could turn Bluetooth off and back on, as needed. We do have a plan to introduce bluetooth features soon, which will only be available if Bluetooth is on.

Why is an app's Bluetooth access a privacy concern? Some apps use Bluetooth to scan the nearby devices and report that back to the developer or other third-parties, as a way to track your behavior, activity or for other nefarious reasons, unrelated to their actual functionality. We do not do so.

Camera:

Reason for Usage: You can optionally use the camera on your iPhone or iPad to scan the QR code we provide, in order to quickly enter the activation code from our packaging, avoiding typing.

Necessary? No, it is merely a convenience.

Why is an app's Camera access a privacy concern? Some apps may use the camera surreptitiously to record your surroundings. We do not do so.

Local Network:

Reason for Usage: Kini uses this permission to look for Kini devices that are in setup mode. This allows you to setup Kini in a more direct way rather than to manually go to the Wi-Fi settings and go through the steps there.

Necessary? No, it is a nice convenience.

Why is an app's Local Network of concern to you? Some apps scan the Local Network for local devices and report that back to the developer or other third-parties, as a way to track your behavior, activity or for other nefarious reasons, unrelated to their actual functionality. We do not do so.

Notifications:

Reason for Usage: The Kini app sends you notifications from your Kini devices based on the alerts you've configured (timers, reminders, etc.). iOS requires explicit permission to display notifications.

Necessary? Yes, if you want to receive alerts from your Kini devices. Without this permission, you won't see any notifications from your Kinis.

Why is an app's Notifications access a privacy concern? Some apps abuse notification permissions to send excessive promotional messages, ads, or unwanted alerts. We only send notifications that originate from your Kini devices based on alerts you have personally configured.

Critical Alerts:

Reason for Usage: You can choose to have some Kinis send you Critical Alerts, and some not to. Critical Alerts will play sound at higher volumes, they are not silenced by different focus modes or sleep settings. They also will stay on the notification screen more prominently and until dismissed.

Necessary? No, it is a useful feature.

Why is an app's Critical Alerts of concern? Some apps might choose to use Critical Alerts in order to get your attention, and you may deem that to be unnecessary and disruptive. We only send Critical Alerts for Kini notifications that you have marked as being "critical".

 

Android

 

Bluetooth:

Reason for Usage: Kinis with the latest firmware or those that have been automatically updated to that firmware, can now use Bluetooth for setup, which makes the process much faster, more reliable and less of an annoyance.

Necessary? You really only need Bluetooth enabled for the Kini app for setup or changes to the Kini's Wi-Fi network, so you could turn Bluetooth off and back on, as needed. We do have a plan to introduce bluetooth features soon, which will only be available if Bluetooth is on.

Why is an app's Bluetooth access a privacy concern to you? Some apps use Bluetooth to scan the nearby devices and report that back to the developer or other third-parties, as a way to track your behavior, activity or for other nefarious reasons, unrelated to their actual functionality. We do not do so.

Camera:

Reason for Usage: You can optionally use the camera on your Android device to scan the QR code we provide, in order to quickly enter the activation code from our packaging, avoiding typing.

Necessary? No, it is merely a convenience.

Why is an app's Camera access a privacy concern? Some apps may use the camera surreptitiously to record your surroundings. We do not do so.

Location:

Reason for Usage: Android requires location permission for Wi-Fi network scanning and configuration. The Kini app uses this solely to scan for and connect to your Kini device's Wi-Fi network during setup. We are not given your actual geo location, only access to your Wi-Fi network.

Necessary? No, or only temporarily for Wi-Fi-based Kini setup (you can now use Bluetooth instead for a better experience). This permission is an Android system requirement - even though we don't actually use your location, Android mandates this permission because Wi-Fi scanning can theoretically reveal location information.

Why is an app's Location access a privacy concern? While this location access is not an actual geo-location and only access to Wi-Fi network, some apps could use this capability to glean location data and track you and report that data to developers or third-parties for advertising, analytics, or other purposes. We do not do so.

Notifications:

Reason for Usage: The Kini app sends you notifications from your Kini devices based on the alerts you've configured (timers, reminders, etc.). Android 13 and above require explicit permission to display notifications.

Necessary? Yes, if you want to receive alerts from your Kini devices. Without this permission, you won't see any app notifications from your Kinis.

Why is an app's Notifications access a privacy concern to you? Some apps abuse notification permissions to send excessive promotional messages, ads, or unwanted alerts. We do not do so.