Privacy Policy

1. Overview & Scope

This Privacy Policy describes how Phonixo Reader ("we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, and protects information when you use our mobile application ("App"), available on iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store).

By downloading or using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you are a parent or guardian allowing your child to use the App, this policy applies to your child's use as well.

This policy applies to all versions of the Phonixo Reader app and the website at which it is linked.

2. Children's Privacy

Parental Consent

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA/UK) without verifiable parental consent. The App is intended to be used under parental supervision or with parental account authorization.

Account creation (via Google Sign-In through Firebase) requires the user to be 13 years of age or older, or to have a parent or guardian create and manage the account on behalf of the child. By creating an account, parents/guardians consent to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

What We Do NOT Do

• We do not serve behavioral advertising to children.
• We do not share children's personal information with third-party advertisers.
• We do not use cookies or tracking technologies for advertising purposes.
• We do not include social media features targeted at children.
• We do not collect more data than is necessary to operate the App.

Parental Rights

Parents and guardians have the right to review, correct, or delete any personal information collected about their child. To exercise these rights, email us at compliance@phonixo.com with the subject line "Parental Data Request" and include the account email address.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: When a parent/guardian creates an account via Google Sign-In, we receive your name, email address, and a unique Google identifier (UID) from Firebase Authentication.
• Profile Information: A display name associated with the learner's profile.

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Learning Progress: Which words have been practiced, which steps have been completed, and overall progress through word packs. This data is stored to enable the "resume" feature.
• Device Token: A Firebase Cloud Messaging token to send optional push notifications (e.g., daily learning reminders). You may opt out at any time through device settings.
• App Usage Data: Basic, non-personal usage information (such as which word packs are used) for improving the app experience. This data is aggregated and not linked to individual users.

3.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do not collect location data.
• We do not collect voice, audio, or microphone data.
• We do not collect camera or photos.
• We do not collect contact list or address book data.
• We do not collect precise device identifiers for advertising.

3.4 In-App Purchase Information

When you purchase premium word packs, payment is processed entirely by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store). We do not receive or store your payment card details. We only receive a purchase receipt/token to verify and unlock the purchased content.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
• To save and synchronize your child's learning progress across devices.
• To verify in-app purchases and unlock premium word packs.
• To send optional push notifications (daily reminders and new content alerts) — you can disable these at any time.
• To respond to support requests and customer service inquiries.
• To improve the App's content and functionality using aggregated, anonymized data.
• To comply with legal obligations.

We do not use your information for targeted advertising or sell it to third parties.

5. Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We use trusted third-party service providers (listed in Section 6) who assist us in operating the App. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only to provide services to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Phonixo Reader, our users, or the public.

Business Transfers

If Phonixo Reader is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred. We will notify you (via email or in-app notice) before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Third-Party Services

The App integrates the following third-party services:

Firebase (Google)

• Firebase Authentication: Used for Google Sign-In. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Used for push notifications. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy.

Google Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy

Apple App Store / Google Play Store

In-app purchases are handled entirely by Apple and Google. Their respective privacy policies govern payment processing.

Our Backend Server

Word content and progress data are stored on our secure backend server. Your data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and at rest.

7. Data Retention

We retain your account information and learning progress for as long as your account remains active or as needed to provide the service.

If you delete your account, we will delete your personal information and learning progress within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes (e.g., tax records related to in-app purchases, which are retained for up to 7 years as required by law).

Aggregated, anonymized usage data that cannot be used to identify any individual may be retained indefinitely to improve the App.

8. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• HTTPS/TLS encryption for all data in transit between the App and our servers.
• Encrypted storage of sensitive data at rest.
• Firebase Authentication token verification — we never blindly trust client-side user IDs.
• Regular security reviews of our backend infrastructure.

No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Rights & Choices

Access & Correction

You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you or your child, and request corrections to any inaccuracies.

Data Deletion Request

You may delete your account and all associated personal data at any time. Deletion is immediate and permanent.

In-App Deletion (Recommended): Open Phonixo Reader → Settings → scroll to the bottom → tap Delete Account → confirm. Your account and all data are deleted immediately upon confirmation. You can also follow the step-by-step guide at phonixo.com/delete-account.

Deletion by Request: If you are unable to delete your account in-app, email us at support@phonixo.com with the subject line "Data Deletion Request" and include the email address associated with your account. We will process your request within 30 days and confirm once deletion is complete.

Upon deletion, we will permanently remove your account, learner profile, learning progress, and device token from our systems. Anonymized, aggregated data and legally required records (e.g. purchase receipts) may be retained as described in Section 7.

Push Notifications

You may opt out of push notifications at any time through your device's notification settings (iOS Settings → Phonixo Reader → Notifications; Android Settings → Apps → Phonixo Reader → Notifications).

GDPR Rights (EEA/UK Residents)

If you are in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data.
• Rectify inaccurate data.
• Erasure ("right to be forgotten").
• Restrict or object to processing.
• Data portability.
• Lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

10. In-App Purchases

Phonixo Reader offers optional premium word packs through in-app purchases. All transactions are processed by Apple (App Store) or Google (Play Store) and are subject to their terms and privacy policies.

Parental Controls: We strongly encourage parents and guardians to use device parental control settings (Screen Time on iOS, Family Link on Android) to require authorization before any in-app purchases are made.

All in-app purchases are non-subscription one-time purchases per word pack. Purchases are associated with the Apple ID or Google Account used to make the purchase and can be restored on any device signed in to the same account.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
• Notify you via push notification or email (if we have your address) of significant changes.
• For changes that materially affect how we handle children's data, we will seek renewed parental consent where required by law.

Your continued use of the App after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.