Contents
Who We Are
SinoSpark ("we", "us", or "our") is a Chinese language learning application available on iOS and Android. We are the data controller for personal data collected through the SinoSpark app and this website.
If you have questions about this policy, you can reach us at contact@sinospark.app.
What Data We Collect
We collect only what is necessary to provide you with the best Chinese learning experience. Here is a full breakdown:
| Data Type | Source | Linked to You? | Used for Tracking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email address | Account registration / Google Sign-In | Yes | No |
| Display name | Profile settings | Yes | No |
| Profile photo URL | Google Sign-In (your Google avatar) | Yes | No |
| Study progress & flashcard data | App usage | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | RevenueCat (subscription manager) | Yes | No |
| Audio recordings | Pronunciation grading / Shadowing Studio | No | No |
| Camera images | Universal Scanner / AR Lens | No | No |
| App usage analytics | Firebase Analytics (anonymous) | No | No |
| Crash reports | Firebase Crashlytics (anonymous) | No | No |
How We Use Your Data
We use the data we collect exclusively to:
- Authenticate your account and keep you logged in securely
- Power the spaced-repetition (SRS) algorithm and sync your study progress across devices via Firestore
- Grade your pronunciation in real-time using Azure Speech Services
- Generate AI-assisted content (definitions, grammar explanations, roleplay scenarios) via OpenRouter
- Manage and restore your premium subscription via RevenueCat
- Detect crashes and improve app stability through Firebase Crashlytics
- Understand anonymous feature usage patterns through Firebase Analytics to improve the app
- Send you optional study reminder notifications (only if you enable them)
Third-Party Services
SinoSpark relies on the following third-party services to function. Each has its own privacy policy:
| Service | Purpose | Data Sent |
|---|---|---|
| Firebase (Google) | Authentication, database (Firestore), analytics, crash reporting | User ID, email, study data, anonymous events |
| OpenRouter | AI language features (Scholar's Desk, definitions, grammar) | Text inputs — no personally identifying information |
| Azure Speech (Microsoft) | Pronunciation grading and speech assessment | Short audio clips — processed in real-time, not retained |
| RevenueCat | Subscription & in-app purchase management | User ID, product IDs, transaction IDs |
| Google Sign-In | OAuth authentication | Email address, display name, profile photo URL |
| Google ML Kit | On-device OCR and handwriting recognition | Processed entirely on-device. No data sent to Google. |
Audio & Microphone
SinoSpark requests microphone access for the following features:
- Shadowing Studio: Record yourself repeating Chinese sentences for tone and pitch feedback
- Pronunciation Rater (Scholar's Verdict): Grade your spoken Chinese against native audio
- Travel Interpreter: Real-time voice translation during conversations
- Live Roleplay: AI conversation partner via voice
Camera & Photos
SinoSpark requests camera and photo library access for:
- Universal Scanner: Point your camera at Chinese text to instantly look it up in the dictionary
- AR Lens: Real-time overlay of translations on physical objects
- Photo Import: Import an image from your photo library for OCR text extraction
Data Storage & Retention
On-device storage: Your flashcard library, spaced-repetition schedules, and app settings are stored locally on your device using Hive (an encrypted local database).
Cloud storage: Your study progress and account data are synced to Firebase Firestore so you can restore them if you switch devices. This data is associated with your Firebase User ID.
Retention: We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, all cloud data is permanently deleted within 30 days. Local data can be removed by uninstalling the app.
Audio: Not stored. Discarded immediately after processing.
Camera images: Not stored. Processed on-device and discarded.
Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)
Depending on where you live, you may have the following rights over your personal data:
- Right of access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Right to rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate data
- Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): Request deletion of your account and all associated data
- Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to object: Object to certain uses of your data, including analytics
- Right to opt out of sale (CCPA): We do not sell personal data, so this right is already fully exercised
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at contact@sinospark.app. We will respond within 30 days.
🇪🇺 EU residents (GDPR): You may lodge a complaint with your local EU data protection supervisory authority.
Children's Privacy
Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data:
- All data in transit is encrypted using TLS/HTTPS
- Firebase Firestore data is protected by Firebase Security Rules, ensuring users can only access their own data
- API keys are never exposed in the client application
- Subscription data is managed by RevenueCat, which is PCI-DSS compliant
While we take security seriously, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We encourage you to use a strong, unique password for your account.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will notify you via an in-app notification.
Your continued use of SinoSpark after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
For any privacy-related questions, data requests, or concerns, please reach out. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 30 days.
Questions about your privacy?
We're committed to transparency. Don't hesitate to ask.
contact@sinospark.app