Introduction
Ophira Labs ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how information is collected, used, and protected when you use our Android mobile application VU OCW (the "Application" or "App").
VU OCW is an educational open courseware companion designed to provide seamless, high-speed access to publicly available Virtual University of Pakistan video lectures, course handouts, and student study tools.
By downloading, installing, or using the Application, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Information Collection and Use
2.1 Personal Information
We do not collect, store, or sell any personally identifiable information (PII).
- No user account or registration is required to use the Application.
- We do not ask for your name, email address, physical address, phone number, location, or financial details.
2.2 Device Identifiers & Push Notification Data
The Application integrates Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), a service provided by Google LLC, to deliver optional announcements, academic updates, date sheet alerts, and course notifications.
- When notification permissions are granted (Android 13+), Firebase generates a random, pseudonymized registration token (Instance ID).
- This token is used solely to route notification messages to your device via global notification topics (such as
announcements). - This token is not associated with any personal identity and is not shared with any unauthorized third parties.
- You can revoke notification permissions at any time in your Android device Settings under Apps > VU OCW > Notifications.
2.3 Local Device Storage
The Application utilizes on-device local storage (Android Room Database and SharedPreferences) to store:
| Data Category | Storage Location | Network Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Bookmarked courses | Local Room SQLite Database | 0 Bytes (On-Device Only) |
| Video playback resume positions | Local SharedPreferences | 0 Bytes (On-Device Only) |
| Recent lecture watch history | Local Room SQLite Database | 0 Bytes (On-Device Only) |
| In-App Notification Center history | Local Room SQLite Database | 0 Bytes (On-Device Only) |
| Theme preferences (System, Light, Dark) | Local SharedPreferences | 0 Bytes (On-Device Only) |
This information is stored exclusively on your device. It is never uploaded, synced, or transmitted to any external server or cloud database. You can clear this data at any time from within the App settings or by clearing the app data in Android system settings.
Third-Party Services and APIs
The Application uses third-party libraries and services that may process technical data in compliance with their respective privacy policies:
Used for reliable background push notifications and announcement delivery.
Streams educational video lectures hosted publicly on YouTube by the Virtual University of Pakistan. Video playback is subject to YouTube's Terms of Service and Google's Privacy Policy.
Includes a sandboxed internal browser view to access official public university portals (such as the VU LMS Notice Board at https://vulms.vu.edu.pk). We do not monitor, intercept, or log web traffic generated through these portals.
Children's Privacy (COPPA & Families Policy)
VU OCW is intended for higher education university students, self-learners, and individuals aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. If you believe that a child under 13 has provided information through our services, please contact us immediately at ophiralabs@gmail.com, and we will take prompt corrective action.
Data Security
All communications between the Application and third-party services (such as Firebase and YouTube) are encrypted in transit using industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS / HTTPS) protocols. Because we do not operate remote databases containing personal user records, your study progress remains safely contained on your physical hardware.
Disclaimer of Affiliation
VU OCW is an independent student utility developed and maintained by Ophira Labs. It is not an official application of the Virtual University of Pakistan, nor is it endorsed, authorized, or sponsored by any government agency. All course catalogs, titles, handouts, and video assets are public educational resources provided under open educational paradigms.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy periodically to reflect app updates or regulatory adjustments. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy or the data practices of VU OCW, please contact us directly: