Legal
Privacy Policy
Shizen is an iOS app for learning Japanese, provided by Swappfunc LLC (“we”, “us”). Swappfunc LLC is the data controller for personal information collected through the Shizen app and the website at shizenapp.com. This policy describes the information we collect, how it is used, and the choices you have.
Questions or requests: [email protected].
Information we collect
Depending on how you use Shizen, we may collect:
- Account information. You can sign in with Apple or Google. We receive your name and email address from that provider. Firebase Authentication, provided by Google, manages your account.
- Learning data. Saved vocabulary, folders, and learning progress are stored in Google Firebase (Cloud Firestore) and tied to your account.
- Microphone and speech. Practice and speaking exercises use the microphone. Audio is processed on your device by Apple’s speech recognition to check what you said. Shizen does not record, store, or upload your voice.
- AI features. Some features send lesson text (not your voice or contact information) to our servers, which use Google’s Gemini API to generate explanations and glosses.
- Purchases. Subscriptions and in-app purchases are handled by Apple. We do not receive your payment card details. Apple may share limited purchase or subscription status with the app (for example, whether a subscription is active).
- Waitlist email. If you join the waitlist on shizenapp.com, we collect the email address you submit. It is stored with Cloudflare and used only to send launch and product updates. You can unsubscribe or request deletion at any time.
- Technical information. We do not use third-party analytics or advertising SDKs, and we do not track you across apps or sites. Our service providers may process standard technical data such as IP address and device and operating-system information as needed to run the service.
How we use information
We use the information above to:
- Provide the app, including Practice, speaking exercises, saved vocabulary, folders, and learning progress
- Recognize your spoken lines on your device during Practice
- Generate explanations and glosses for lesson text
- Create and manage your account
- Restore your learning data across devices
- Process subscriptions and unlock paid features through Apple
- Email waitlist subscribers about launch and product updates
- Respond to support requests
- Comply with law and protect the service
Third-party processors
We use these providers to operate Shizen:
- Google for Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore, and the Gemini API
- Apple for Sign in with Apple, App Store purchases, and on-device speech recognition
- Cloudflare to host shizenapp.com and store waitlist email addresses
These providers process data on our behalf, or in Apple’s case as the App Store and iOS provider, under their own terms and privacy policies.
We do not sell your data
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share personal data for advertising.
Retention and deletion
We keep your account and learning data while your account is active. We keep waitlist emails until you unsubscribe, ask us to delete them, or we close the waitlist.
You can request deletion of your account data or waitlist email at [email protected]. You can also delete your account in the app if that option is available. We delete account data within 30 days of a request.
You can turn off microphone access for Shizen in iOS Settings. Turning the microphone off will prevent Practice and speaking exercises from capturing speech.
You can manage or cancel App Store subscriptions in your Apple ID settings. Canceling a subscription does not automatically delete your Shizen learning data; use the deletion request above for that.
Children
Shizen is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided information, contact [email protected] and we will delete it.
International processing
Your information may be processed in the United States and other countries where our providers (including Google, Apple, and Cloudflare) operate.
Changes
We may update this policy. When we do, we will post the updated version on this page with a new effective date. For material changes, we will also notify you in the app or by email. Continued use of Shizen after an update means you accept the revised policy.
Contact
Swappfunc LLC
[email protected]
shizenapp.com