Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Aido's privacy, security, and functionality.

Permissions & Privacy

Q: Why does Aido need Accessibility Service permission?

A: Aido is an "overlay" AI assistant that works inside other apps (WhatsApp, Gmail, etc.). Android requires the Accessibility Service permission to read text from other apps and insert AI responses. We use it ONLY when you trigger a command (like @aido), not continuously. See our Accessibility Disclosure for technical details.

Q: Can Aido see my passwords or banking information?

A: No. First, Android prevents screen reading in banking apps (FLAG_SECURE). Second, you can explicitly Blocklist apps in Settings for a verified guarantee. We have a Zero Tolerance Policy against capturing sensitive credentials.

Q: Does Aido work with password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password?

A: Yes! Add your password manager to the app blacklist in Aido Settings → Disabled Apps. This ensures Aido never activates when you're using your password manager.

Q: Can the developers see my prompts or conversations?

A: No. Your prompts go directly from your phone to the AI provider (Google Gemini, OpenAI, etc.). We don't operate a "middleman" server that logs your text. See Data Safety for the complete data flow.

Functionality & Features

Q: Can Aido work completely offline?

A: Partially. You can use offline AI models (Gemini Nano, SmolLM) for basic tasks. However, advanced features like GPT-4 require internet. Offline models run entirely on your device with zero data transmission.

Q: How do I revoke Accessibility permission?

A: Go to: Android Settings → Accessibility → Aido → Toggle OFF. You can also disable the custom keyboard via Settings → Languages & Input → Virtual Keyboard → Manage Keyboards.

Q: What happens to my data if I uninstall Aido?

A: All local data (clipboard history, saved prompts, API keys) is immediately deleted from your device. Since we don't store your data on our servers, there's nothing to delete remotely. Your data is gone permanently.

Q: Does Aido drain battery?

A: Aido uses a lightweight foreground service that activates only when text input is detected. We prioritize battery efficiency over aggressive scanning. The REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS permission is optional and only prevents Android from killing the service mid-use.

Security & Compliance

Q: Is my API key safe?

A: Yes. All API keys are stored in Android's Encrypted Shared Preferences using AES-256 encryption. They never leave your device and are not accessible to other apps.

Q: Is Aido GDPR compliant?

A: Yes. We process minimal personal data (only what you explicitly type as prompts), and it's sent directly to AI providers with their own GDPR compliance. You have the right to access, delete, and port your data at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

Q: Has Aido been audited by a third party?

A: Not yet. However, "Independently Auditable" means anyone with technical knowledge can verify our claims using Android debugging tools and network analysis. We welcome independent security researchers to review the app.

Q: What if Aido gets hacked or has a data breach?

A: Since we don't store user data on servers, a traditional "data breach" is unlikely. If a vulnerability is discovered in the app itself, we will issue an immediate update and notify users via the Google Play release notes. See our Incident Response Plan.

Support & Contact

Q: How do I report a bug or privacy concern?

A: Email us at aiqknow@gmail.com. For urgent security issues, please include "SECURITY" in the subject line. We respond within 48 hours.

Q: Can I request my data be deleted?

A: Since all data is stored locally on your device, simply uninstalling the app deletes everything. There's no cloud data to delete. For questions about AI provider data retention, contact them directly (Google, OpenAI).

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