StudyArcade Mobile App & Website
Privacy Policy
This policy explains how the StudyArcade mobile app (iOS and Android) and the studyarcade.app website collect, use, and protect your data.
Introduction
StudyArcade is an AI-powered language learning app that transforms vocabulary into interactive games such as Memory Match, Bubble Pop, Galaxy Shooter, Speed Typing, and more. The app tracks your learning progress with mastery levels, streaks, XP, and achievements. This Privacy Policy applies to both the StudyArcade mobile app (iOS and Android) and the StudyArcade website at studyarcade.app. By using either, you agree to the practices described below.
Information We Collect
Data Stored Locally on Your Device
Most of your data is stored on your device and does not leave it unless described below. Locally stored data includes:
- Vocabulary words, study sets, and word folders you create
- Word progress and mastery levels (learning, familiar, mastered)
- Game history, scores, XP, and achievements
- Streaks, daily challenge progress, and activity logs
- App settings and preferences
- A pseudo-anonymous user ID (not linked to your real identity)
Data Sent to Our Backend Server
The app communicates with our backend server hosted on Vercel to power certain features. Data transmitted includes:
- AI game generation requests: Your vocabulary words and prompts are sent to our server, which uses AI (Anthropic Claude) to generate interactive learning games.
- Push notification tokens: Your device token is sent to our server so we can deliver push notifications such as study reminders and streak alerts.
- Client logs: The app may send diagnostic logs to help us identify and fix bugs and crashes.
We do not require you to create an account. The app generates a pseudo-anonymous user ID (e.g. user_[timestamp]_[random]) that is not tied to your name, email, or any personally identifiable information.
Third-Party Services
We use several Firebase services:
- Firebase Analytics: Collects usage data such as screens viewed, games played, game types selected, word accuracy, session duration, and feature usage. This data is associated with your pseudo-anonymous user ID and device information (platform, app version).
- Firebase Crashlytics: Automatically collects crash reports and error logs including device model, OS version, and stack traces to help us fix bugs.
- Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Used to deliver push notifications to your device. Your FCM token is stored on our server to send you study reminders, streak alerts, and other notifications.
Firebase data is processed by Google according to their Privacy Policy.
When you generate a learning game, your vocabulary words and any customization prompts are sent from our backend server to Anthropic's Claude AI to create interactive game code. We do not send personally identifiable information to Anthropic. Data sent is limited to the vocabulary content needed to build the game. Anthropic processes this data according to their Privacy Policy.
The app displays banner, interstitial, and rewarded ads through Google AdMob. AdMob may collect:
- Device identifiers: Advertising ID (IDFA on iOS, AAID on Android)
- Device information: Model, OS version, language
- Approximate location: City/region level (not precise GPS)
- Ad interaction data: Impressions, clicks, time spent viewing
- Network data: IP address for targeting and fraud prevention
Your controls: On iOS, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → turn off "Personalized Ads." On Android, go to Settings → Google → Ads → opt out of personalized ads. Ads will still be shown but will be less targeted. See Google's Privacy Policy and AdMob policies.
If you subscribe to StudyArcade Pro, your subscription is managed through RevenueCat. RevenueCat may collect your anonymous app user ID, purchase history, subscription status, device platform, and country. RevenueCat does not receive your name, email, or payment details (those are handled by Apple or Google). See RevenueCat's Privacy Policy.
If you use the photo-to-vocabulary feature, images you capture are sent to Google Cloud Vision API for text extraction (OCR). The extracted text is used to create vocabulary words. We do not store the images on our servers. Google processes image data according to their Cloud Privacy Notice.
The studyarcade.app website uses Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to understand site traffic. These services may collect:
- Pages visited, time on page, click patterns, referral sources
- Browser type, device type, screen resolution, operating system
- IP address (often anonymized), general geographic location
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, using private/incognito mode, or disabling cookies in your browser.
When you download StudyArcade, the app store may collect information as part of the download process (Apple ID, purchase history, device info). This is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy or Google's Privacy Policy.
Device Permissions
The app may request the following device permissions. Each is optional and you can deny or revoke access at any time in your device settings:
- Camera: Used for the photo-to-vocabulary feature (scanning textbooks or notes to extract words via OCR).
- Photo Library: Used to select existing photos for text extraction.
- Microphone: Reserved for future pronunciation practice features. Not currently active.
- Notifications: Used for study reminders, streak alerts, and learning prompts.
How We Use Your Information
- Learning Experience: Your locally stored word progress, mastery levels, and game history power the spaced repetition system, daily challenges, and personalized learning path.
- AI Game Generation: Your vocabulary is sent to our backend and processed by Anthropic Claude to create interactive games tailored to your words.
- Analytics & Improvement: Firebase Analytics data helps us understand which games and features are most useful, fix bugs, and improve the app.
- Crash Reporting: Crashlytics data helps us identify and fix crashes and errors quickly.
- Push Notifications: We use your FCM token to send study reminders and streak notifications to keep you on track.
- Advertisements: AdMob uses collected data to serve relevant ads and measure ad performance. Revenue from ads supports continued development of the free version.
- Subscriptions: RevenueCat verifies your Pro subscription status to unlock premium features and remove ads.
- Website Analytics: Google Analytics helps us understand how visitors find and use our website so we can improve content and user experience.
Data Sharing and Third-Party Processing
We do not sell your personal data. Data is shared only in these circumstances:
- Service Providers: We use third-party services (Firebase, Anthropic, Google AdMob, RevenueCat, Google Cloud Vision) that process data to provide core app features. Each provider is bound by their own privacy policies and applicable laws.
- AI Processing: Vocabulary content is sent through our backend server to Anthropic Claude for game generation. Only the vocabulary words and customization prompts are transmitted — no personal information.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user data may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this privacy policy.
Data Security
- All network communication between the app and our servers uses HTTPS/TLS encryption.
- Study data is stored locally on your device using the platform's standard secure storage.
- Our backend server is hosted on Vercel with industry-standard security practices.
- We do not store passwords or payment information (no accounts are required; payments are handled by Apple, Google, and RevenueCat).
- No security system is 100% secure. If you suspect unauthorized access, please contact us immediately.
Data Retention and Deletion
- Local data (vocabulary, progress, settings) remains on your device until you delete it or uninstall the app.
- You can delete individual study sets, words, or game history within the app at any time.
- Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data from your device.
- Firebase Analytics data is retained according to Google's standard retention policies (typically 14 months for event data).
- Push notification tokens are removed from our server when they become invalid or the app is uninstalled.
- Crash reports in Crashlytics are retained for 90 days.
- To request deletion of any data associated with your anonymous user ID, contact us at the email below.
Your Rights and Controls
Data Access and Deletion
- View all your study data (words, progress, stats) directly in the app
- Delete individual study sets, words, or game history at any time
- Uninstall the app to remove all locally stored data
- Contact us to request deletion of server-side data associated with your anonymous user ID
Ad Personalization
- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → turn off "Personalized Ads"
- Android: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
- Subscribe to StudyArcade Pro to remove all ads entirely
Push Notifications
- Disable notifications in your device's system settings for StudyArcade
- Adjust notification preferences within the app
- Disabling notifications does not affect other app features
Analytics Opt-Out
- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements → disable "Share iPhone Analytics"
- Website: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on or use private browsing
Camera and Photo Permissions
- Camera and photo library access is only requested when you use the photo-to-vocabulary feature
- You can revoke these permissions at any time in your device settings
- The app works fully without granting camera or photo access
International Data Transfers
Our backend server and third-party service providers may process data in countries outside your country of residence, including the United States. When data is transferred internationally:
- All transfers are protected by HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Third-party providers (Google, Anthropic, RevenueCat) use standard contractual clauses and other legal mechanisms for cross-border transfers
- Your locally stored study data is not transferred internationally
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or other regions with data protection laws, you may have additional rights regarding your data. This includes the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and the right to object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise these rights.
Children's Privacy
StudyArcade is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or the applicable minimum age in your jurisdiction).
- The app does not require account creation or personally identifiable information
- Ads served by AdMob follow Google's policies for age-appropriate content
- If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 is using the app, please contact us
- We will promptly delete any data we discover was collected from a child under 13
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Material changes will be communicated through the app or website
- Continued use of StudyArcade after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect and how it is used
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Opt out of the sale of personal information — we do not sell your personal information
- Not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights
To exercise these rights, contact us at the email below. We will respond within 45 days as required by law.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your data, or wish to exercise any of your rights, contact us at hello@studyarcade.app.
This Privacy Policy applies to the StudyArcade mobile app (iOS and Android) and the StudyArcade website at studyarcade.app.