Privacy Policy
Oboeru ("the app", "we", "us") is a Japanese vocabulary-learning app published by Under Banyan. This policy explains what information we handle, why we handle it, and the choices available to you.
Information we collect
- Account information. When you use Google Sign-In, we receive your email address and an account identifier. We do not receive your Google password.
- Learning information. We store the vocabulary, study progress, preferences, and other learning content you choose to add to Oboeru.
- Content you submit. Text submitted to a learning feature is processed as needed to provide the requested result. Please do not put personal or confidential information in vocabulary fields.
- Purchase information. Google Play processes payments. We receive transaction identifiers and status information needed to recognise a purchase, but not your card or bank details.
- Optional usage and diagnostic information. Depending on your privacy setting, this may include app interactions, app and device characteristics, general region, and crash or error information. We do not use this information for advertising and do not collect the device advertising identifier.
- Security information. Network, device, and app information, which may include an IP address, can be processed to operate sign-in, protect accounts, and prevent abuse.
- iOS launch list. If you ask to be told when the iOS app is released, we store the email address you give us on that form, and briefly a record derived from your network address to keep automated sign-ups down. No other personal details are collected there, and you do not need an account to use it.
How we use it
- To provide and maintain your account and learning features.
- To save and synchronise your learning information across your devices.
- To deliver content and audio you request.
- To recognise purchases and provide the items you bought.
- To protect the service, prevent abuse, and diagnose problems.
- If enabled, to understand general usage and improve reliability.
We do not sell your personal data, we do not use it for advertising, and we do not collect the device advertising identifier.
Service providers and disclosures
We use service providers for account sign-in, cloud storage and synchronisation, content and speech generation, app distribution and payments, security, and optional analytics and crash diagnostics. They receive only the information reasonably needed to perform those services.
We may also disclose information:
- when required by law or a valid legal process;
- when reasonably necessary to protect users, our rights, or the security of the service; or
- as part of a business transfer, subject to appropriate notice and safeguards.
International processing
We and our service providers may process information in countries other than the one where you live. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for international processing.
Analytics choices & consent
You can turn optional usage analytics and crash reporting off or on at any time under Settings → Privacy. Where prior consent is required, this collection remains off until you allow it. Turning it off stops future collection by the app.
The iOS launch list
The email address you leave on the “coming to the App Store” form is used for one purpose: to send you a single message when the iOS app is released. We do not add you to a newsletter, we do not send anything else to that address, and we do not share or sell it.
We keep the address until we have sent that launch message, and delete the list within about three months afterwards. If the iOS app is not released, we delete the list within about eighteen months of you joining it. You can ask us to remove your address at any time, for any reason, by emailing oboeru@underbanyan.com — just say which address to remove, and we will delete it. Oboeru is run by one person, so please allow a few days for a reply.
To keep automated traffic off the form, we also count recent sign-ups against a short-lived record derived from your network address. It holds no address of any kind in readable form and is never linked to the email you give us, but we would rather describe it than call it anonymous. It is deleted automatically about two days after it is written.
Data retention & deletion
We generally keep account and learning information while your account is active. You can request deletion from Settings → Delete account or by using our account-deletion page. Limited records may be retained when reasonably necessary for legal, accounting, fraud-prevention, dispute-resolution, or security purposes, and are removed or de-identified when no longer needed.
Your choices and requests
In addition to the controls available in the app, you may contact us to ask about, access, or correct your personal information, or to raise a privacy concern. Rights vary by location, and we will respond as required by applicable law.
Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information, including encrypted connections. No storage or transmission method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Children
The app is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the effective date at the top of this page.
Contact
Questions or data-deletion requests: oboeru@underbanyan.com.