Effective date: March 1, 2026
Privacy Policy
At Stray Labs, we believe your privacy is a fundamental right. Hound is built around a single principle: your files are yours — we never see them, store them, or transmit them anywhere.
1Introduction
Hound is a local-area-network (LAN) file server and client application for Android. It allows you to share, browse, and transfer files between devices on the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network — completely offline, without any cloud or internet dependency.
This Privacy Policy describes what data (if any) Hound accesses on your device, how it is used, and what controls you have over it. By using Hound, you agree to this policy.
2Data Collection
Hound collects the bare minimum required to function. We do not collect or transmit any personal data to external servers. Specifically:
Local device IP address
Used to display the server URL so other devices can connect. Never sent externally.
File metadata (names, sizes, types)
Used to display directory listings in the app and web portal. Processed on-device only.
Server settings (port, folder, password)
Saved in SharedPreferences on your device. Never synced or backed up to the cloud.
We never collect or transmit: the content of your files, your GPS location, your contacts, your browsing history, device identifiers (IMEI, Advertising ID), or any information to external analytics or advertising platforms.
3Local Storage
Hound stores the following data locally on your device using Android's SharedPreferences (a private, app-sandboxed key-value store):
Selected folder path
The directory you chose to share, so the server can resume after a restart.
Server port
Your preferred port number (default: 8080), persisted across app restarts.
Server credentials
If you set a password, it is stored locally on your device. Not synced or backed up to the cloud.
Connected server history
IP addresses and ports of servers you previously connected to, to pre-fill the client connection screen.
Hound does not use cookies, tracking pixels, or any web analytics storage. The web portal served by the app does not set any cookies in your browser.
4Network Security
Hound operates on a “Local-Only Access” principle. When the server is running:
Local network restriction
The HTTP server is bound to your device's LAN IP address. It is not exposed to the public internet and cannot be accessed remotely.
Optional password authentication
You can enable Basic HTTP Authentication in Server Settings. Any browser or client must supply the correct password to view or transfer files.
Unencrypted HTTP
Transfers use plain HTTP (not HTTPS). Since traffic is confined to your LAN, the exposure risk is low — but be aware that other devices on the same network could potentially intercept traffic with specialised tools.
Path traversal protection
The server validates all file paths using canonical path checks to prevent directory traversal attacks. Requests that escape the shared folder are rejected.
5Your Rights
Because all data is stored locally on your device, you have complete control at all times:
Delete all app data
Go to Android Settings → Apps → Hound → Storage → Clear Data.
Stop all network visibility instantly
Toggle the server switch off in the Hound app. The server shuts down immediately.
Revoke folder access
Select a different folder or revoke storage permission via Android Settings.
Uninstall completely
Uninstalling Hound removes all local preferences and app data from your device.
6Children's Privacy
Hound does not knowingly collect any personal information from anyone, including children under 13. Because the app collects no personal data at all, it poses no specific risk to minors. If you have concerns, please contact us.
7Changes to this Policy
If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we may include a notice in a new app release.
We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of Hound after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of those changes.
8Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or about how Hound handles your data, please reach out — we're happy to help.
Contact Support