ReelBlocker is an Android app that blocks Instagram Reels (and optionally Instagram Explore and YouTube Shorts) on your own device. This policy explains what the app does with information — which is easy, because the short version is:
ReelBlocker collects no data, and it cannot send data anywhere: the app does not request the Internet permission, so it is technically incapable of transmitting anything off your device.
What the app does NOT do
- No data collection, no analytics, no tracking, no advertising.
- No account, sign-in, email address, or personal information is requested.
- No network access. The app does not hold the Android
INTERNET permission, so it cannot "phone home", contact our servers (there are none), or share anything with third parties — by design, and verifiably so.
Accessibility Service (prominent disclosure)
ReelBlocker uses Android's Accessibility Service API to do its one job: detecting when a Reels, Explore, or Shorts screen is open so it can block it.
- The service reads the screen structure (view identifiers and labels) of the Instagram and YouTube apps only, in order to recognise Reels, Explore, and Shorts screens.
- This information is processed in memory, on your device, in the moment — it is not stored, recorded, or transmitted. No screen content, messages, photos, videos, usernames, or anything you type is collected.
- The service is used solely to provide the blocking feature you enabled. It is never used for any other purpose.
- You can turn the service off at any time in Android Settings → Accessibility → ReelBlocker.
What is stored on your device (and only there)
The app keeps a small amount of data in its private app storage on your device:
- Your settings — which blockers are on, Strict Mode, blocking schedule, Post Mode state.
- Blocking statistics — a count of blocked screens and an estimate of time saved. These are just numbers; they contain no content from other apps.
- Trial and purchase state — when the app was first installed (to run the 3-day free trial) and whether the lifetime unlock has been purchased.
- A diagnostics log — a short, capped list of block events, each just a timestamp and a generic reason such as "Reels tab opened". It never contains screen content. It stays on your device unless you choose to share it (Debug section → "Share diagnostics log") — for example, when emailing support.
Uninstalling the app deletes all of this. Android's own device backup (a feature of your phone, controlled by your Google account settings) may include the app's settings like any other app's.
Purchases
The optional lifetime unlock is processed entirely by Google Play Billing. Your payment details go to Google, not to us — the app only learns whether the purchase succeeded. Google's handling of that transaction is covered by the Google Play Terms of Service and Google's Privacy Policy.
Children
ReelBlocker is not directed at children under 13. It collects no data from anyone, of any age.
Changes to this policy
If the app's behaviour ever changes in a way that affects privacy (for example, if a future version requested network access), this policy will be updated first and the change will be called out in the app's update notes.