Explorer

42matters Explorer is a web-based platform for app market intelligence, offering data and analytics for app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store. The platform is designed for quick and easy onboarding with minimal technical setup.

Typical Implementation Process

1. Account Setup and Access

• Sign Up or Purchase: Users begin by registering for a free trial or purchasing a subscription.
• Account Creation: After registration, users receive credentials to access the Explorer dashboard.

2. Initial Onboarding

• Guided Demo (Optional): New users can request a live demonstration or onboarding session to learn about the platform’s features.
• Documentation and Tutorials: Step-by-step guides and tutorials are available to help users get started.

3. Platform Configuration

• Filter and Search Setup: Users can immediately start searching for apps, SDKs, publishers, and more using built-in filters and templates.
• Saved Searches and Alerts: Users can save their search queries and set up alerts for updates on relevant app data.

4. Data Export and Integration

• Export to CSV: Results can be exported for further analysis or integration into other business tools.
• API Integration: For more advanced needs, users can integrate Explorer data into their own systems using the available API.

5. Ongoing Support

• Customer Support: Dedicated support is available to help with any technical or usage questions.
• Continuous Updates: The platform is regularly enhanced with new features and data.

42matters Explorer is designed to be flexible and adaptable for various business needs. Here are the main ways it can be customized:

• Advanced Filtering and Segmentation: Users can filter and segment data by developer, app category, country, monetization type, SDK integrations, and more. This allows businesses to focus on the most relevant data for their specific use cases.
• Custom Reports: The platform enables users to create custom reports directly through the interface or by using the available APIs. Reports can include historical data, market trends, and other business-specific metrics.
• Export Options: Data can be exported in CSV format for further analysis or integration into other business intelligence tools, supporting unique workflows and reporting requirements.
• API Access: For deeper integration, businesses can use the 42matters API to pull data directly into their own systems or dashboards, enabling automation and advanced data manipulation.
• Custom Alerts: Users can set up personalized email alerts for specific app queries, SDK changes, or market movements, ensuring they receive timely updates on what matters most to their business.
• Continuous Improvements: The platform is regularly updated with new features, filters, and data sources, often in response to user feedback and evolving industry needs.

Subscription Fees:

• 42matters Explorer operates on a subscription basis, with pricing tiers depending on features and usage volume. Fees are typically billed monthly or annually.
• Lower-tier plans may have usage limits, while higher-tier or enterprise plans offer broader access and more advanced features.

Setup Fees:

• There are generally no setup fees for standard accounts. Users can access the platform immediately after subscribing.

Maintenance Charges:

• Ongoing maintenance, updates, and new feature releases are included in the subscription fee. There are no separate maintenance charges.

Support Charges:

• Basic customer support is included with all plans, along with access to documentation and tutorials.
• Advanced or technical support, such as dedicated onboarding or integration help, may be available as an add-on service for an extra fee.

Refunds:

• Subscription fees are non-refundable, even if the platform is not used during the paid period.

Taxes and Price Changes:

• Users are responsible for all applicable taxes and fees, except for VAT if invoiced directly by 42matters.
• The company may adjust subscription prices with at least 30 days’ notice. Users have the option to cancel if they do not accept the new rates.

• Onboarding and Live Demos: New users can participate in live demonstrations and onboarding sessions. These interactive sessions help users understand the platform’s features, navigation, and best practices for getting the most value from Explorer.
• Documentation and Tutorials: The platform offers comprehensive written guides and step-by-step tutorials. These resources cover everything from basic navigation to advanced filtering, reporting, and integration.
• Customer Support: Responsive customer support is included with all plans. Users can contact the support team for help with technical issues, questions about features, or advice on workflow optimization. The support team is known for being knowledgeable and quick to assist.
• Ongoing Assistance: Support is available throughout the onboarding and integration process, ensuring users can implement the platform effectively and resolve any issues promptly.

• App and SDK Verification: Explorer provides detailed information about app resources, file structures, and integrated SDKs. It also verifies app signing certificates using industry-standard hashes (SHA-1, SHA-256, MD5), helping confirm the identity of app publishers.
• Malware Detection and Risk Assessment: The platform supports both dynamic and static analysis of app files (APKs) to detect malware, unpack encrypted apps, and identify risky SDKs or unusual permissions.
• Privacy and Compliance Tools: Explorer helps users review app privacy policies, analyze permissions, and generate privacy risk reports. This assists companies in meeting regulatory requirements such as GDPR, CCPA, and COPPA.
• Data Monitoring and Alerts: The system regularly audits SDK integrations and web domains. Users can set up alerts for suspicious activity or changes, helping organizations monitor for security risks and maintain data integrity.
• Publisher Verification: Certificate and APK file verification processes ensure that apps come from legitimate developers, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.

• Regular Feature and Data Updates: Explorer is updated frequently with new features, filters, and expanded data sources. Updates are driven by user feedback and changing industry needs.
• Real-Time Data Tracking: The platform monitors developer updates and changelogs for every app, providing users with near real-time information about app and SDK changes.
• Automatic Update Rollout: As a cloud-based solution, all updates are managed and deployed by the 42matters team. Users always have access to the latest version and data without needing to install anything manually.
• Continuous Improvement: The platform is continuously enhanced, so users benefit from ongoing improvements and new capabilities as soon as they are released.

Data Ownership:

• Personal Data: Users retain ownership of their personal information provided during registration and use of the platform. 42matters processes this data in compliance with Swiss data protection laws, as well as international regulations like the GDPR and CCPA. Users can request access, correction, restriction, or deletion of their personal data at any time.
• Exported Data: Data exported from the Explorer platform (such as reports or app lists) belongs to the user for internal business use. Users are responsible for ensuring their use of this data complies with any third-party rights.
• App Intelligence Data: Proprietary analytics and insights generated by 42matters are licensed for internal use only. Users may not publish or distribute these insights to third parties without explicit permission from 42matters.

Data Portability:

• Export Options: Users can export data from the Explorer dashboard in standard formats like CSV for use in other tools or systems. This makes it easy to migrate or further analyze data as needed.
• Personal Data Requests: Users can request a copy of their personal data in a machine-readable format and may request transfer to another party where technically feasible.
• Account Closure: When an account is closed, personal data is deleted within 30 days, with backups retained for a limited period. Users may export their data before closing their account.

Subscription Flexibility:

• Upgrading: Organizations can upgrade their plan at any time. Upgrades usually take effect immediately, providing instant access to additional features or higher usage limits.
• Downgrading: Downgrades typically take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, ensuring users receive the full value of their current subscription.
• Self-Service Management: Users can manage their subscription, add or remove team members, and adjust features directly through their account dashboard.

Billing and Fees:

• Pro-Rata Adjustments: When upgrading, any unused portion of the previous plan may be credited toward the new plan, depending on billing policies. Downgrades are applied at the next renewal period.
• No Refunds: Subscription fees are non-refundable, even if the service is not used during the paid period.
• Advance Notice of Price Changes: Any price increases are communicated at least 30 days in advance, giving users time to adjust or cancel their subscription if needed.

Scalability Features:

• API and Data Volume: Higher-tier plans offer greater data access and API usage. Organizations can scale up for more intensive needs or scale down as requirements change.
• Team Management: The platform supports flexible user management, making it easy to add or remove team members as your organization grows or contracts.

Renewal Policy:

• Automatic Renewal: Subscriptions are typically set for a minimum of one month and automatically renew each month unless cancelled by the user or by 42matters before the renewal date.
• Renewal Charges: Subscription fees for each renewal period are charged in advance to the registered payment method, regardless of whether the service is actively used.
• How to Cancel Before Renewal: Users must cancel their subscription through their account dashboard before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next period. If not cancelled in time, the next period’s fee will be charged.
• Price Increases: If there is a price increase, 42matters provides at least 30 days’ notice. The new rate applies at the start of the next billing period after the notice, unless the user cancels before the increase takes effect.

Cancellation Policy:

• User-Initiated Cancellation: Users can cancel their subscription at any time through the account dashboard. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period, and no refunds are provided for unused time.
• Provider-Initiated Termination: 42matters reserves the right to terminate a subscription for reasons such as non-payment, breach of terms, or using the service for competing purposes.
• Termination for Cause: Either party may terminate the contract for cause. Users may do so if the service is unavailable or if there are unresolved material defects. 42matters may do so for non-payment or violation of terms.
• Refunds for Cause: If the user terminates for cause, they are entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of the current term. No further claims are allowed beyond this refund.
• Changes to Terms: If there are changes to the terms of service, users are notified in advance. They may cancel their subscription if they do not accept the new terms.

Supported Compliance Frameworks:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): 42matters processes personal data in line with GDPR, giving users rights to access, correct, restrict, or delete their data.
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): California residents have rights to request data disclosures, deletion, and to opt out of data sales.
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): The platform offers compliance insights for apps targeting children, supporting COPPA requirements.
• GDPR-K & UK Children’s Code: The platform tracks compliance with child-specific data protection standards, including those for the EU and the UK.
• Privacy Policy and Sensitive Permissions: Explorer tracks whether apps have privacy policies, use sensitive permissions, or require location tracking, supporting compliance monitoring for various privacy regulations.
• Swiss Data Protection Law: As a Swiss company, 42matters adheres to Swiss data protection regulations.

Compliance Features:

• Data Export and Portability: Users can export their data and request machine-readable copies, supporting data portability requirements.
• Data Retention and Deletion: Personal data is deleted within 30 days of account closure, with backups retained for a limited period.
• Security and Risk Assessment: The platform offers risk assessment, malware detection, and publisher verification features to support compliance and data integrity.
• App Compliance Insights: Explorer provides tools to check if tracked apps comply with privacy and data protection standards, including privacy policy presence, sensitive permissions, and age group targeting.