Privacy Policy

StudyBuddy ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using StudyBuddy, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Policy.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information when you use StudyBuddy:

• Account information: When you sign in (for example with Google via our authentication provider), we receive basic profile information such as your name, email address, and profile image.
• Usage and study data: We store information about the words and cards you study, your answers, study schedules, progress, and in-app settings.
• Audio recordings: When you practice by speaking answers, your audio is captured in the browser and uploaded to our servers (or directly to our AI providers) for transcription and grading.
• Device and log data: Like most apps, we may collect technical information such as browser type, operating system, IP address, device identifiers, and log information about how you use the app.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We may use cookies or similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the app is used.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain StudyBuddy and its features.
• Grade your spoken and written answers using AI models and update your spaced repetition schedule.
• Improve study recommendations, content, and the overall learning experience.
• Monitor performance, usage, and security of the service, including detecting abuse or unauthorized access.
• Communicate with you about updates, changes to this Policy, or important service messages.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

AI and Third-Party Services

To provide StudyBuddy, we rely on several third-party providers. Your data may be processed by these services subject to their own privacy policies:

• Authentication: We use a third-party auth provider (such as Clerk) to handle sign-in and identity management. They receive and store your account information needed for authentication.
• Database and hosting: We use managed cloud providers (such as Neon for the database and Vercel for hosting) to store your study data and operate the app.
• AI models: We use AI services (such as models accessed via the Vercel AI SDK and OpenAI APIs) to transcribe your audio and grade responses. Your audio recordings and transcripts may be sent to these providers solely for the purpose of providing the StudyBuddy features.
• Analytics: We may use analytics tools (such as Vercel Analytics) to understand aggregated usage patterns and improve performance.

We do not sell your personal information. Third-party providers are only allowed to use your data as necessary to provide their services to us.

Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. We may also retain certain information for a longer period if required by law, to resolve disputes, or to enforce our agreements.

Children's Privacy

StudyBuddy is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). If you believe that we have collected personal information from a child without appropriate consent, please contact us so that we can take steps to delete the information.

Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit and restricted access to production systems. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Choices and Rights

• You can access and update some of your account information in the app or through our authentication provider.
• You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us using the information below. Some data may be retained where required by law or for legitimate business purposes.
• You may control cookies through your browser settings.

International Data Transfers

Our service and third-party providers may process and store data in countries other than your own. By using StudyBuddy, you consent to the transfer of your information to these locations, which may have different data protection laws than your country.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will indicate the date of the latest revision at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we may provide additional notice within the app or by other means.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us using the contact information provided in the app store listing or within the StudyBuddy app.