Privacy Policy — Buddy

Last updated: November 7, 2026

Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Spirish (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and safeguards information when you use our mobile application Buddy and related services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data transparently.

Information We Collect

Account Information: Your email address, authentication UID, and authentication provider details when you sign up or log in (via Email/Password, Google Sign-In, or Sign in with Apple).
Profile & Learning Data: Display name, interface language preferences, learning goals, streak records, courses, vocabulary decks, roleplay scenarios, and conversation message history necessary to provide personalized language tutoring.
Microphone Audio: When you use interactive voice conversations, speech-to-text, or pronunciation features, your microphone audio is captured in real time solely during active speaking turns to transcribe speech and generate feedback. We do not retain raw audio recordings after real-time processing.
Camera Images: When you use camera translation, camera frames are processed on-device (via Google ML Kit) solely to recognize text for translation. Camera images are never uploaded or stored on our servers.
Crash & Diagnostic Telemetry: Non-identifying technical logs, device model, operating system version, and crash stack traces collected via Firebase Crashlytics to diagnose bugs and improve app stability.
Support Communications: Messages, feedback, or inquiries you send to our support team.

How We Use Information

To provide, operate, and maintain Buddy’s language-learning and AI conversation features.
To personalize course content, track learning progress, and deliver spaced-repetition exercises.
To authenticate your account and secure access across your devices.
To send critical service, account security, or billing notices.
To detect, prevent, and fix technical errors and security issues.
To comply with applicable legal obligations.

Third-Party Service Providers

We utilize trusted third-party cloud and platform providers strictly to deliver core app functionality:

Firebase Authentication (Google LLC): Secure user authentication and identity management.
Cloud Firestore & Firebase Storage (Google LLC): Scalable, encrypted database and storage for profile and learning progress.
Firebase Crashlytics & Analytics (Google LLC): Diagnostic telemetry and performance monitoring.
AI Tutoring Providers (e.g., OpenAI, Google Gemini): Message prompts and context are transmitted securely solely to generate tutoring responses and feedback. Your personal data and conversations are never sold or used to train public foundation models.
Speech & Translation APIs (Google LLC): Speech-to-text and translation processing during active learning sessions.

Microphone and Camera Permissions

Microphone: Accessed only when you actively initiate speaking practice, dictation, or voice roleplays.
Camera: Accessed only when you actively open camera translation to scan foreign text.

Data Retention & Deletion

We retain your personal data for as long as your Buddy account remains active to preserve your learning progress and subscriptions.

Immediate In-App Deletion: You can permanently delete your account and all associated data at any time directly in the app by navigating to Profile → Delete Account. Deletion is instantaneous and irrevocable.
Email Deletion Request: You may also request deletion by emailing privacy@spirish.com with the subject line “Account Deletion Request”. We verify account ownership and process deletion within 7 business days.

Children’s Privacy

Buddy is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under these ages. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will promptly delete that data.

Subscriptions and Billing

All subscriptions (Pro, Premium) and in-app credit purchases are processed directly and securely by Google Play or the Apple App Store. We do not store or process your credit card numbers or payment billing details. Subscription cancellation and refund requests are subject to the policies and terms of Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (such as under the GDPR or CCPA/CPRA), you have rights to access, correct, export, or delete your personal data, and to restrict or object to certain processing. To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@spirish.com.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When changes are made, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. For significant updates, we will notify you through an in-app notice or via email.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:

Spirish
Email: privacy@spirish.com
Support: support@spirish.com