SnapWordPrivacy Policy
SnapWord ("SnapWord", "we", "us") is an app that identifies objects in photos and turns them into vocabulary lessons. It is developed by Binh Tran. This policy explains what information the app handles, why, who processes it on our behalf, and the choices you have.
- We don't ask for your name, and an email address is only needed if you choose to create an account.
- Photos you scan are sent to our server to identify the object and are not kept there. Your history stays on your device.
- We use Google Firebase for sign-in, storage, analytics and crash reports, Google's Gemini AI to create lessons, and Meta Audience Network to show ads on the free plan.
- We don't sell your personal information. You can ask us to delete your data at any time.
1. Information we handle
Photos you scan
When you tap the shutter, the app shrinks the photo and sends it to our server (Google Cloud Functions), which passes it to Google's Gemini API to identify the main object and check that it is suitable for children. The photo is used only to answer that request and is not stored on our servers. A copy is kept on your device so it can appear in your history, lessons and sticker albums.
If you tap Add to Flashcards, that photo and the word are saved to your account in Google Cloud Storage and Cloud Firestore so they can be kept with your flashcards.
Learning data on your device
Your scan history, lessons, flashcard review schedule, streaks, quests, stickers, game scores, settings and weekly report are stored locally on your device. They are not sent to us, and they are deleted when you delete the app.
Account information
- Anonymous account. When you first open the app, Firebase Authentication creates an anonymous account with a random user ID. We use it to apply daily limits and keep your purchase status.
- Email account (optional). If you sign up or sign in, we store your email address and Firebase stores a secure hash of your password.
Usage and purchase records on our server
For each user ID we keep the date of your last scan, how many scans and stories you have used, any bonus scans, and whether you have Premium. If you buy Premium, we store the store's transaction reference and expiry date so we can verify your purchase with Apple. Payment details are handled entirely by Apple; we never see your card or billing information.
Words sent to create lessons and stories
To create a lesson or story, the app sends the word(s), the languages you chose, your age group and difficulty level to our server, which asks Gemini to write the content. Finished lessons and stories are cached and reused for everyone who asks for the same words. The cache contains no user ID or other personal information.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics for Firebase to understand how the app is used and to improve it. It records events such as completing onboarding, a successful or failed scan (including the word and category scanned), reaching the daily limit, opening the paywall, purchases, flashcard reviews, quests, stickers, stories and shares, plus the languages you chose and whether you have Premium. Firebase also collects an app instance ID, device and app version information, and approximate location derived from your IP address.
Crash reports
Firebase Crashlytics collects crash and error reports (stack traces, device model, OS version, app version and a Crashlytics installation ID) so we can fix problems.
Advertising (free plan only)
On the free plan the app shows banner and interstitial ads from Meta Audience Network, and you can watch a short ad for a bonus scan. Meta may collect device information, ad interaction data and your IP address to deliver, limit and measure ads, under Meta's privacy policy. The app does not request permission to track you across other companies' apps and websites, so the advertising identifier (IDFA) is not shared. Premium users see no ads.
Images of related words
When you open a related word, the app searches Pexels for a photo of that word. Pexels receives the search word and your IP address.
Device permissions
- Camera — to take photos of objects you want to learn.
- Photo library — to save images or pick an image, only when you ask.
- Notifications — for an optional daily reminder, scheduled on your device.
Pronunciation is spoken by your device's built-in text-to-speech.
2. How we use information
- To provide the app: identify objects, create lessons and stories, and keep your flashcards.
- To apply free-plan limits and verify Premium purchases.
- To keep content safe for children.
- To understand usage, fix crashes and improve the app.
- To show ads on the free plan.
We don't sell your personal information and we don't use it to build advertising profiles.
3. Service providers
| Provider | What it does for SnapWord | Data it receives |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Cloud Storage, Cloud Functions) | Accounts, usage limits, purchase status, flashcard sync, running our server code | User ID, email (if you sign up), usage and purchase records, flashcard photos and words |
| Google Gemini API | Identifying objects, safety checks, writing lessons and stories | Scanned photos, words, language, age group and difficulty |
| Google Analytics for Firebase, Firebase Crashlytics | Usage analytics and crash reports | App events, app instance ID, device and app info, approximate location |
| Meta Audience Network | Ads on the free plan | Device information, ad interactions, IP address |
| Apple (App Store) | Processing purchases and subscriptions | Purchase and transaction details |
| Pexels | Photos for related words | Search word, IP address |
Google's services may process data in the United States and other countries where Google operates. See Google's privacy policy and Firebase privacy information.
4. How long we keep it
- Scanned photos sent for identification: not stored after the request is answered.
- Account, usage and purchase records, and flashcard photos: kept while your account exists, and deleted when you delete your account in the app or ask us to.
- Data on your device: kept until you delete it in the app or delete the app.
- Analytics and crash data: kept according to Google Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics retention settings, after which Google deletes them.
5. Children
SnapWord is designed to be used by children together with a parent or guardian, as well as by adults. We do not ask children for their name, email, location or photos of themselves, and every scanned object and lesson is checked for child-appropriate content. Account sign-up and purchases are meant for parents. If you are a parent and believe your child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
6. Your choices and rights
- Delete your account and data: in the app, open Settings and tap Delete Account & Data. This immediately deletes your account, your server records and flashcard photos, and the history, progress and photos stored on your device. You can also email us and we will do it for you within 30 days. Deleting your account does not cancel an App Store subscription; manage that in your App Store account settings.
- Ads: upgrade to Premium to remove ads. You can also limit ad tracking in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
- Permissions: you can turn camera, photo and notification access on or off at any time in iOS Settings.
- Access and correction: depending on where you live (for example the EU, UK or California), you may have the right to access, correct, export or delete your personal information, or to object to its use. Contact us and we will respond within 30 days.
7. Security
Data sent between the app and our servers is encrypted in transit (HTTPS). Server records are stored in Google Cloud with access limited to the developer. No method of storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your information.
8. Changes to this policy
If we change how we handle your information, we will update this page and the effective date above.
9. Contact
Questions or requests: [email protected]