Lingoa

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Lingoa ("we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our mobile application and web service.

1. Information We Collect

Audio Data

• Voice Recordings: We collect audio recordings of your voice when you use the app to practice speaking. This audio is used for speech recognition and transcription.
• Microphone Access: The app requires microphone permission to record your voice during conversation practice sessions.

Speech Recognition Data

• Transcribed Text: Your voice recordings are transcribed into text using speech recognition technology (OpenAI Whisper).
• Conversation Content: The transcribed text of your conversations is processed to generate AI responses and provide language learning feedback.

Usage Data

• Language Preferences: Your selected target language and conversation topics are stored locally on your device.
• Practice Statistics: Information about your daily practice sessions, including speaking time and streak data, is stored locally on your device.
• App Settings: Your audio speed preferences and other app settings are stored locally on your device.

Technical Data

• Device Information: We may collect device type, operating system version, and app version for technical support purposes.
• Session Data: Temporary session identifiers are generated to manage your conversation sessions. These are stored in memory and not persisted.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Language Learning: Your voice recordings and transcribed text are used to provide real-time conversation practice and language learning feedback.
• AI Responses: Your conversation transcripts are sent to our AI service (OpenAI GPT) to generate natural, contextual responses during practice sessions.
• Speech-to-Text: Your audio recordings are processed using OpenAI Whisper for accurate transcription.
• Text-to-Speech: AI-generated responses are converted to speech using text-to-speech technology (OpenAI TTS or ElevenLabs) to provide audio feedback.
• App Functionality: Your preferences and settings are used to personalize your experience and maintain your practice streak.
• Improvement: We may use aggregated, anonymized data to improve our services and AI conversation quality.

3. Data Storage and Retention

Local Storage (Your Device)

• Language preferences, practice statistics, and app settings are stored locally on your device using browser/device storage.
• This data remains on your device and is not transmitted to our servers except as necessary for app functionality.
• You can delete this data by clearing your app data or uninstalling the app.

Server Storage

• Session Data: Conversation sessions are stored temporarily in server memory during active use. This data is not persisted and is deleted when sessions end.
• Audio Files: Audio recordings are processed in real-time and are not stored on our servers after processing.
• Transcription Data: Transcribed text is processed immediately and is not stored on our servers after the conversation session ends.

4. Third-Party Services

Lingoa uses the following third-party services to provide functionality:

OpenAI Services

• Whisper API: Used for speech-to-text transcription of your voice recordings.
• GPT-4o: Used to generate AI conversation responses based on your transcribed speech.
• Text-to-Speech API: Used to convert AI responses into natural-sounding speech.
• Your audio and text data is sent to OpenAI for processing. Please review OpenAI's Privacy Policy for information about how they handle your data.

ElevenLabs (Optional)

• If configured, we may use ElevenLabs for text-to-speech generation.
• Please review ElevenLabs' Privacy Policy for information about their data practices.

Render (Hosting)

• Our backend services are hosted on Render. Please review Render's Privacy Policy for information about their data practices.

5. Data Security

• All data transmission between your device and our servers uses HTTPS encryption.
• Audio recordings and transcripts are processed securely and are not stored permanently.
• We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data.
• However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Sharing

We share your data only as necessary to provide our services:

• With OpenAI for speech recognition, AI conversation generation, and text-to-speech services.
• With optional third-party services (like ElevenLabs) if you have configured them.
• As required by law or to protect our rights and safety.

7. Your Rights and Choices

• Microphone Access: You can grant or revoke microphone permission through your device settings at any time.
• Speech Recognition: You can grant or revoke speech recognition permission through your device settings.
• Local Data: You can delete locally stored data by clearing app data or uninstalling the app.
• Session Data: Session data is automatically deleted when sessions end and is not retained.
• No Account Required: The app does not require account creation, so no account-related personal data is collected.

8. Children's Privacy

Lingoa is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

11. Contact Us