Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion about the iOS authorizations
and Android permissions requested by the ADLConnect app. So we hope
this page helps to explain the details.
Before we get into the details, we make money selling and operating the ADL
devices. Wew are not into the business of collecting or selling any
of your data! ALl permissions are requested for the best possible
operation of the system and user experience only.
iOS
iOS - Location access
Frist the app request the location access to display your airplane symbol on the
map if no GPS data can be obtained from an ADL or Iridium GO device.
Second the app needs this authorization to read the details about the currently
connected WiFi. This is crucial for the app to make a functional connection
to your ADL device. Apple assumes that reading WiFi details could be used
to narrow down your location and thus those features are linked in this non
intuitive way.
Third the app will ask for the location always authorization. Again non intuitive
ADLConnect does not care much about your location in the background, the data is
actually discarded but this allows ADLConnect to run in the background while
you switch to other apps in flight.
In the background ADLConnect can continue to monitor the ADL device and
issue iOS notification if you receive SMS/text messages or weather downloads have
been completed. Also when operating ADL110B, 120, 130 or Iridium GO devices this
allows ADLConnect to run in the background and provide GDL90 weather data to
ForeFlight and SkyDemon. In the future also notifications for traffic conflicts
are planned. You guessed it, this will also require the always authorization.
Fourth ADLConnect will only continue to run in the background to accomplish those
tasks while it is connected to an ADL or Iridium GO device. Once that connection
is lost the access to the location data is stopped and the app will be sleeping.
Finally if you want to be sure, even tough there is no reason, ADLConnect no longer
reads your location you can stop the ADLConnect app completely by sliding it out of the
screen to the top. Apps which are completely stopped can no longer read your location
data no matter the authorization settings.
iOS - Local network
Please note this authorization will only be listed for certain iOS versions. In other
versions it is granted by default. ADLConnect needs access to your local network
to communicate properly with ADL or Iridium Go devices over the local WiFi network.
iOS - Contacts
ADLConnect asks you for access to your contact details. This data is used only to
translate phone numbers and email addresses to names and vice versa for the satellite
messaging feature of the ADLConnect app. The data will not be stored permanently in
the app or transmitted outside the app in any way. Also deactivating this authorization
will have no side effects. You will simply see raw phone numbers displayed for the
ADLConnect messaging.
iOS - Notifications
If you allow ADLConnect to send you notifications the app will send notifications
when a new satellite message comes in and if a new ADL weather download has been
completed. This is very usefull yo you do not miss those things when you are
currently not using ADLConnect Those notifications will only work properly
if you grant the location always authoriztaion as described above. When not
connected to an ADL or Iridium Go device no notifications will be sent.
iOS - Mobile Data
When not connected to an ADL device, you can download free weather data over the
Internet using the ADLConnect app. Therefore the app requires access to your
mobile data connection. ADLConnect is very efficient regarding bandwidth use
and will only actually download weather data if you tell the app to do so.
Android
On Android devices the way the permissions are handled will depend on your Android
version but I will try to give an overview. On olders device you can not allow or deny
permissions but just install or delete the app. On later Android versions some permissions
can be controled by the user.
Android - Contacts
This is the same as for iOS described above. This access is only used for the satellite
messaging feature. We do not store, transmit or do any other bad things with your
contact data.
Android - Location
Also on Android devices the location access is crucial and has many side effects.
In comparison to iOS the "only while in use" setting is sufficient. But this
permission and enabling location services all together
in the Android settings is crucial so ADLConnect can read all the WiFi details
and communicate properly with ADL devices.
Android - Read WiFi-Details
This permission will only be displayed on certain Android versions but it must be
allowed so ADLConnect can comminicate properly with ADL devices over the local WiFi.
Android - General network access
This permission is also specific to certain Android versions. It must be allowed so
ADLConnect can communicate with ADL devices and also when in Internet mode it can do free
weather downloads on the ground over your regular Internet connection. As with the
iOS version ADLConnect will use up only little amounts of your bandwidth. Also it will only
actually donwload download weather data if you tell the app to do so.
