# Privacy Policy for KoVoca

**Last Updated:** January 26, 2025

## Introduction

KoVoca ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Korean vocabulary learning application (the "App"). By using KoVoca, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

## 1. Information We Collect

### 1.1 Personal Information

When you use KoVoca, we may collect the following personal information:

- **Apple ID Information**: When you sign in with Apple, we receive your Apple ID, email address (or private relay email), and display name
- **User Profile Data**: Display name, email address, native language preference, learning level, and daily learning goals
- **Account Information**: User ID, account creation date, and subscription status

### 1.2 Learning Data

We collect and store information related to your learning activities:

- **Study Progress**: Cards studied, lessons completed, grammar lessons viewed, and learning path progress
- **Performance Metrics**: Quiz results, task completion rates, correct/incorrect answers, and learning streaks
- **User-Generated Content**: Flashcards you create, custom vocabulary lists, and personal notes
- **Study Statistics**: Daily study time, completion dates, and learning milestones

### 1.3 AI-Generated Content

- **Grammar Lessons**: AI-generated grammar explanations and examples based on your learning level
- **Learning Paths**: Personalized learning materials created using AI based on your preferences
- **Practice Tasks**: Automatically generated quizzes and exercises

### 1.4 Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you use the App:

- **Device Information**: Device type, operating system version, and app version
- **Usage Analytics**: Features used, session duration, and app performance data
- **Advertising Data**: Ad impressions, clicks, and advertising identifiers (collected by our advertising partners)

### 1.5 Subscription and Payment Information

- **Purchase History**: Subscription plans, purchase dates, and renewal status
- **Payment Processing**: Payment information is processed by Apple's App Store and is not directly accessible to us

## 2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

### 2.1 Core App Functionality

- Provide Korean language learning features and content
- Save and sync your learning progress across devices
- Generate personalized learning materials using AI
- Track your study streaks and achievements
- Enable flashcard creation and management

### 2.2 Content Generation

- Generate grammar lessons tailored to your learning level using Google Gemini AI
- Create personalized learning paths based on your native language and proficiency
- Auto-generate practice tasks and quizzes from learning materials

### 2.3 App Improvement

- Analyze usage patterns to improve app features
- Monitor app performance and fix technical issues
- Develop new features based on user needs

### 2.4 Advertising

- Display personalized advertisements through Google AdMob
- Measure advertising effectiveness and engagement

### 2.5 Subscription Management

- Process and manage subscription purchases
- Provide access to premium features for subscribers
- Send subscription renewal notifications

## 3. Third-Party Services

KoVoca integrates with the following third-party services that may collect and process your data:

### 3.1 Apple Sign In

- **Purpose**: User authentication and account creation
- **Data Shared**: Apple ID, email address, display name
- **Privacy Policy**: [Apple Privacy Policy](<https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/>)

### 3.2 Firebase (Google)

We use Firebase services for backend infrastructure:

- **Firebase Authentication**: User authentication and account management
- **Cloud Firestore**: Storing user profiles, learning data, flashcards, and grammar lessons
- **Cloud Storage**: Storing user-uploaded images and audio files
- **Privacy Policy**: [Firebase Privacy Policy](<https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy>)

### 3.3 Google Gemini AI

- **Purpose**: Generate grammar lessons, learning paths, and educational content
- **Data Shared**: Your learning level, native language, and content generation requests
- **Note**: We send minimal data necessary for content generation; no personal identifiers are shared
- **Privacy Policy**: [Google AI Privacy Policy](<https://policies.google.com/privacy>)

### 3.4 Google AdMob

- **Purpose**: Display advertisements to support free app features
- **Data Collected**: Device identifiers, ad interaction data, and usage information
- **Ad Types**: Banner ads, interstitial ads, native ads, and app open ads
- **Privacy Policy**: [AdMob Privacy Policy](<https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543>)
- **Personalized Ads**: Users can opt out of personalized advertising through device settings

## 4. Data Storage and Security

### 4.1 Data Storage

- Your data is stored securely in Google Cloud services (Firebase)
- Data is synchronized across your devices when you're signed in
- Local data is stored on your device using encrypted storage (SwiftData)

### 4.2 Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data:

- Encryption of data in transit using HTTPS/TLS
- Secure authentication using Apple Sign In
- Regular security updates and monitoring
- Access controls to limit data access to authorized personnel only

### 4.3 Data Retention

- **Active Accounts**: We retain your data as long as your account is active
- **Deleted Accounts**: Upon account deletion, we remove your personal data within 30 days
- **Legal Obligations**: Some data may be retained longer if required by law

## 5. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

### 5.1 Access and Portability

- View all your stored data within the App
- Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format

### 5.2 Correction and Deletion

- Edit your profile information at any time
- Delete individual flashcards, grammar lessons, or learning content
- Delete your entire account and all associated data through the App settings

### 5.3 Data Control

- **Opt-out of Personalized Ads**: Disable personalized advertising through your device settings (Settings > Privacy > Advertising)
- **Limit Data Collection**: Use the App offline to limit cloud synchronization
- **Subscription Cancellation**: Cancel your subscription through the App Store

### 5.4 Questions and Requests

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at the email provided in the Contact section.

## 6. Children's Privacy

KoVoca is designed for users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete it immediately. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us.

## 7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States where Google's servers are located. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using KoVoca, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

## 8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

- **Right to Know**: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
- **Right to Delete**: Request deletion of your personal information
- **Right to Opt-Out**: Opt out of the sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
- **Right to Non-Discrimination**: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in the Contact section.

## 9. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

- **Legal Basis**: We process your data based on your consent, contract performance, and legitimate interests
- **Right to Access**: Access your personal data
- **Right to Rectification**: Correct inaccurate data
- **Right to Erasure**: Request deletion of your data
- **Right to Restrict Processing**: Limit how we use your data
- **Right to Data Portability**: Receive your data in a portable format
- **Right to Object**: Object to certain data processing activities
- **Right to Withdraw Consent**: Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in the Contact section.

## 10. Advertising and Tracking

### 10.1 How We Use Advertising

KoVoca displays advertisements through Google AdMob to support free app features. Advertising partners may use cookies and similar technologies to:

- Show relevant ads based on your interests
- Measure ad performance and engagement
- Prevent fraud and abuse

### 10.2 Your Advertising Choices

- **iOS Settings**: Go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking to limit ad tracking
- **AdMob Settings**: Adjust ad personalization in device settings
- **Premium Subscription**: Subscribe to remove ads entirely

## 11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by:

- Posting the new Privacy Policy in the App
- Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Sending an in-app notification for material changes

Your continued use of KoVoca after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

## 12. Contact Us

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

**Email**: [Your Contact Email - To Be Added]

**App Support**: Use the "Contact Support" feature within the App settings

## 13. Data We Do NOT Collect

For transparency, we want to clarify what we do NOT collect:

- We do NOT collect precise location data
- We do NOT access your contacts or phone book
- We do NOT access your photo library without permission
- We do NOT record audio without your explicit consent
- We do NOT share your personal learning data with third parties for their marketing purposes
- We do NOT sell your personal information to anyone

## 14. Consent

By using KoVoca, you consent to:

- The collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy
- The use of AI (Google Gemini) to generate personalized learning content
- The display of advertisements through Google AdMob
- The storage of your data in Google Cloud services (Firebase)
- The processing of subscription payments through Apple App Store

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please discontinue use of the App and delete your account.

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**KoVoca - Learn Korean Vocabulary with AI**

This Privacy Policy is effective as of January 26, 2025.

Hyungwoo Park 
[email protected]