Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 4, 2025
Platforms: iOS and Android

Lingguist is a language‑learning app. This Privacy Policy explains what we (the Lingguist app operator based in Cyprus) collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

1) Who we are & scope

Controller: Lingguist (Cyprus)
Contact: ewancc1@outlook.com
This policy covers the Lingguist mobile apps (iOS/Android) and any in‑app features. It does not cover third‑party websites or services you may access through links.

2) What we collect (and what we don’t)

Account & authentication

Email address (only if you sign up with email/password or via Sign in with Apple/Google and choose to share your email).
Authentication data: handled by Firebase Authentication. If you use email/password, the password is processed by Firebase—we don’t store your password.
Anonymous sign‑in: we may use a device identifier to create and maintain an anonymous account.

Notifications

Push notification token (e.g., FCM/APNs device token) to deliver push notifications you’ve permitted.

Diagnostics

Crash and performance diagnostics via Firebase Crashlytics (e.g., crash traces, device/OS info at the time of a crash). We don’t use analytics SDKs and we don’t track your in‑app activity for marketing.

Camera, Photos & OCR

When you grant Camera and Photos permissions, you can select/take images so Lingguist can extract text (OCR) and help you create new words.
By default, images you use for OCR are processed for the purpose of extracting text and are not retained by us beyond that purpose.

Local‑only data

Saved words are stored locally on your device (using app/device storage). They are not uploaded to our servers unless a feature explicitly tells you otherwise.

We do not collect

Precise or background location, contacts, health/medical, financial/bank data, biometrics, sensitive categories (e.g., race, religion), or data from children.
We do not use advertising SDKs or analytics tools.

3) Sources of data

Directly from you (e.g., email, images you provide for OCR).
From your device/OS when you grant permissions (camera, photos, notifications).
From our service providers (Firebase) in the form of authentication records and crash diagnostics.

4) How we use your data

Provide and maintain the service (account creation, sign‑in, and your anonymous or email‑based account).
Push notifications you’ve permitted (e.g., reminders, updates).
Diagnostics and troubleshooting (Crashlytics).
Compliance with applicable laws and to respond to lawful requests.

No automated decision‑making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

5) Mobile permissions and why we ask

Camera – capture images for OCR and word creation.
Photos/Media (Gallery) – select existing images for OCR and word creation.
Notifications – send push notifications you’ve opted into.

You can grant/deny these in your device settings at any time. Some features won’t work without the relevant permission.

6) Third‑party service providers (processors)

We share information only with service providers who process it on our behalf and per our instructions:

Firebase Authentication & Storage (Google) – account authentication; limited account records.
Firebase Crashlytics (Google) – crash and performance diagnostics.
Apple App Store / Google Play Billing – in‑app purchases and subscriptions.
Apple / Google – optional “Sign in with Apple/Google” single sign‑on.

We do not disclose personal data to third parties for their own marketing.

7) Sharing and “sale”

We do not sell your personal information and we do not share it for cross‑context behavioral advertising (as those terms are defined under California law).
We disclose data only to our service providers listed above or when required by law.

8) International location of data

Our servers are located in the EU.

9) Data retention

We keep account‑related information while your account is active and delete it when you delete your account.
Saved words remain on your device until you delete them or uninstall the app.

10) Your choices & rights

In‑app and device controls

You have full control over permissions (Camera, Photos, Notifications) in your device settings.
You can turn push notifications on/off in app or OS settings.

Access, correction, deletion

Use the in‑app flow: Settings → Delete account (under Logout). Deleting your account removes your account data.
You can also contact ewancc1@outlook.com for access, correction, or deletion requests.

Marketing communications

If we send marketing emails, each email includes an Unsubscribe link.

Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control (GPC)

We honor GPC signals. As we do not sell/share your personal information, GPC does not change our data use, but we respect it on any web properties we operate.

11) EU/UK GDPR information

Because we are established in Cyprus, EU data protection law applies to our processing of personal data of individuals in the EEA/UK.

Lawful bases we rely on

Contract – to create and maintain your account (including anonymous accounts) and deliver app features you request.
Consent – for push notifications and access to Camera/Photos.
Legitimate interests – to keep the app reliable and safe (e.g., Crashlytics diagnostics), and to prevent misuse.
Legal obligation – when we must retain or disclose information to comply with the law.

Your GDPR rights

You can request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, and portability of your personal data, and withdraw consent at any time (this does not affect processing that has already occurred). Exercise these rights via the in‑app deletion flow or by emailing ewancc1@outlook.com.

12) Children

Lingguist is not directed to children and we implement age‑gating. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age required by local law. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

13) Payments

All payments and subscriptions are handled by the Apple App Store or Google Play. We do not receive your full payment card details.

14) Changes to this policy

If we make material changes, we will notify you in‑app.

15) Contact

Email: ewancc1@outlook.com
Data protection contact: Ewan Charalambides