Privacy Policy for Wordie

Thank you for choosing Wordie. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our visual vocabulary learning app ("App"), in compliance with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines. If you have questions or concerns about our policy, or wish to exercise your data-protection rights, please contact us at wordie@makduman.com.

Wordie is designed to be privacy-first: the photos you take, the words you learn, and the cards you build stay on your device. We do not run our own backend servers that store your content.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Camera Access

Purpose: To let you photograph an object, identify it, and turn it into a vocabulary card.

Data Collected:

• Photos you take with your device camera through the in-app camera.

Storage & processing:

• The subject cutout (used for the reveal animation) is generated entirely on your device using Apple's Vision framework.
• For object identification, a downscaled (≤768px) thumbnail of the captured photo is sent to Google Gemini Flash Lite over HTTPS. Google processes the image to identify the most prominent object and returns the English noun, pronunciation, definition, and an example sentence. We never send photos to any server operated by Wordie — only to Google's Gemini API for that single recognition call.
• Google does not use API requests sent through Wordie to train its models (per Google's Gemini API Terms of Service). Photos are not stored by us; Google's retention policy applies to the API call.
• The recognised word and the card you save are stored only in the App's private sandbox on your device. We do not upload them anywhere.
• You can disable cloud recognition entirely in Profile → Settings — Wordie will then use only the on-device Apple Vision classifier (lower accuracy, fully offline).

1.2 Translation

Purpose: To translate the recognised word and its definition into your chosen target/native language.

Data Collected: None received by us. Translation runs entirely on your device using Apple's Translation framework with downloadable on-device language packs.

1.3 Pronunciation

Purpose: To read the target word aloud.

Data Collected: None received by us. Speech is generated locally with AVSpeechSynthesizer and Apple's bundled voices.

1.4 Subscription & Purchase Data

Purpose: To process and verify in-app purchases (Wordie+ subscription).

Data Collected via StoreKit (Apple):

• Apple App Store transaction information (receipt, product identifier, purchase/expiration dates).

This data is processed by Apple. We do not receive your name, email address, payment-card details, or Apple ID from this process.

1.5 Usage & Device Data

Purpose: To monitor App stability and improve features.

Data Collected Automatically:

• Crash reports and performance diagnostics, if you have enabled "Share with App Developers" in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.
• Aggregated App Store metrics (downloads, retention, country) provided by Apple's App Analytics.

We do not embed third-party analytics SDKs in Wordie.

2. How We Use Your Information

• On-device object recognition: Camera frames are run through Apple's Vision framework on your device to classify and segment the subject. No image data leaves your device for this step.
• On-device translation: Apple's Translation framework converts the recognised English noun and its definition into your chosen languages, all locally.
• Subscription operation: StoreKit receipts are used to confirm whether your subscription is active across reinstalls and devices using the same Apple ID.
• App stability: Anonymous crash and performance data, when shared by you via iOS, helps us fix bugs.

3. Data Sharing & Disclosure

• Apple: Handles your in-app purchases and, if you opt in, sends anonymous diagnostic data to us through its standard frameworks.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law (e.g., a valid subpoena) or to protect our rights or the safety of users.
• No Selling of Personal Data: We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
• No Advertising SDKs: Wordie does not include third-party advertising or tracking SDKs.

4. Data Retention

• Your cards, photos, and review history: Stored on your device until you delete them in the App or uninstall Wordie. Uninstalling the App removes this data from the device.
• Subscription records: Retained by Apple per their policies.
• Crash diagnostics: Retained in aggregated form for product improvement.

5. Security Measures

• On-device processing by default: The most sensitive data (your photos, words, and reviews) never leaves your device.
• Sandboxed storage: Wordie's data is stored inside the iOS application sandbox, protected by the operating system.
• Least-privilege permissions: We only request the iOS permissions strictly needed for the features you use.

6. Children's Privacy

Wordie is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the App, please contact us at wordie@makduman.com and we will take steps to remove it.

7. International Data Transfers

Apple may process subscription data on servers located outside your country of residence. By using Wordie, you consent to the transfer and processing of this limited subscription data in those locations, under applicable data-protection laws (including, where relevant, the GDPR for users in the European Economic Area and the UK GDPR for users in the United Kingdom).

8. Your Rights & Choices

• Access & Portability: Request a copy of any data we hold about you. Note that Wordie stores most of your content directly on your device, where you already have access to it.
• Correction or Deletion: Delete your cards at any time inside the App. Uninstalling Wordie removes all on-device data.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Revoke camera permission at any time via iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → Wordie.
• Opt out of Diagnostics: Turn off "Share with App Developers" in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements.

To exercise these rights, email us at wordie@makduman.com with "Privacy Request" in the subject line. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the Last updated date at the top and, for material changes, surface a notice inside the App. Your continued use of Wordie after changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out:

Wordie
Email: wordie@makduman.com
Web: wordie.makduman.com