Privacy should feel understandable.

1. Scope and service

This policy applies to the independent Lingo Bear Web product and its Web API. It does not combine your account, membership, orders, or private dictionary activity with a separate Lingo Bear product.

2. Information we collect

We receive account identifiers from Google or Apple when you choose that sign-in method, such as the provider identifier, email address when shared, and display name when available. We use the provider identifier—not the email address—as the account boundary. Different Google or Apple accounts remain separate and are not automatically linked or merged. We store your browser sessions, dictionary questions, pictures you choose for picture questions, generated answers, history, favorites, linked word cards, subscription status, security events, and support communications. Uploaded pictures are converted to a bounded WebP image and metadata such as EXIF and GPS information is removed before storage.

Stripe processes payment details. Lingo Bear receives transaction identifiers, plan, amount, currency, subscription state, and webhook events, but does not receive or store your full card number or wallet credentials.

3. How we use information

We use information to authenticate you, answer dictionary questions, preserve your private learning trail, provide saved content across devices, administer subscriptions, prevent abuse, investigate errors, secure the service, provide support, and meet legal obligations. We do not sell personal information or use private dictionary content for targeted advertising.

4. Dictionary and AI processing

Text and picture questions may be sent to an AI service provider to generate a response. Reviewed questions shown in the daily suggestion module use stored, reviewed content instead of an AI generation call. We limit the content and technical context sent to what is needed for the request and apply child-conscious safety controls. Voice input uses speech recognition supplied by the browser or device to turn speech into editable text; Lingo Bear does not receive or retain the microphone audio. Your browser provider may process that audio under its own terms. Do not include secrets, precise addresses, medical records, or other information you would not want processed as part of a dictionary question.

5. Service providers and disclosure

We disclose information only to providers that help operate the service—currently including cloud hosting and database services, Google and Apple for sign-in, Stripe for billing, and an AI provider for dictionary generation—or when required to protect users, enforce our terms, complete a business transaction, or comply with law. Providers receive only the information needed for their role.

6. Retention and deletion

We retain account and saved dictionary data while your account is active. Security, billing, tax, dispute, backup, and audit records may be retained for the period reasonably required by law and operational needs. You can remove individual history and favorites in the product. To request account deletion or a copy of your information, contact us at the address below.

7. Security and international use

We use encrypted connections, provider-based authentication, restricted service credentials, access controls, backups, and operational monitoring. No system is perfectly secure. The production Web, API, worker, and primary database are operated in the United States; providers may process limited information in other locations under their own safeguards.

8. Children and families

Lingo Bear is designed to give clear, child-conscious answers, but an adult account holder should create and manage the account and subscription. If you believe a child provided personal information without appropriate permission, contact us so we can investigate and delete it.

9. Your choices and US privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may request access, correction, deletion, portability, or restriction of certain processing and may appeal a denied request. We will verify requests and respond as required by applicable law. We do not discriminate against you for exercising a privacy right.

10. Changes and contact

We may update this policy as the service changes. We will update the effective date and provide additional notice when a material change requires it. Questions and privacy requests can be sent to support@lingo-bear.com.