Privacy Policy

At Lingova, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our AI-powered English learning platform ("Service").

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Lingova, whether you access the Service through our website, mobile applications, or other platforms. By using the Service, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

Key Points:

• We collect voice recordings and personal data to provide personalized learning
• Your data is processed using AI and machine learning technologies
• We comply with GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable privacy regulations
• You have control over your data and can request deletion at any time
• We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our Service:

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Full name
• Email address
• Password (encrypted)
• Profile information (native language, English proficiency level, learning goals)
• Account preferences and settings

2.2 Voice and Audio Data

As a voice-based learning platform, we collect:

• Voice recordings from your practice sessions and conversations
• Audio analysis data (pronunciation patterns, accent characteristics, speech rhythm)
• Transcriptions of your voice recordings
• Feedback and corrections provided by our AI systems

Note: Voice recordings are essential for providing personalized feedback. You can delete your recordings at any time through your account settings.

2.3 Usage Data and Analytics

We automatically collect information about how you interact with the Service:

• Learning progress and performance metrics
• Lessons completed and time spent on the platform
• Features and content accessed
• Session duration and frequency of use
• Error logs and diagnostic data
• Interaction patterns and engagement metrics

2.4 Device Information

• Device type, model, and operating system
• Browser type and version
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Device identifiers (advertising ID, device ID)
• Screen resolution and device settings

2.5 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain your login session
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze usage patterns and improve the Service
• Provide personalized content and recommendations
• Measure advertising effectiveness (if applicable)

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features.

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service Delivery and Personalization

• Provide AI-powered language learning and voice feedback
• Personalize lessons based on your skill level and learning goals
• Track your progress and provide performance analytics
• Generate customized learning recommendations
• Adapt the difficulty and content of lessons to your needs

Platform Improvement and Development

• Train and improve our AI models and algorithms
• Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Develop new features and educational content
• Conduct research and analytics to improve service quality
• Test and optimize platform performance

Communication and Support

• Send account-related notifications and updates
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Send educational content and learning tips
• Notify you of new features or service changes
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)

Security and Compliance

• Protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Enforce our Terms of Service and policies
• Comply with legal obligations and regulations
• Resolve disputes and troubleshoot issues

Payment Processing

• Process subscription payments and manage billing
• Prevent fraudulent transactions
• Generate invoices and receipts

Lingova uses advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to process your voice data and provide personalized feedback. Here's how we handle your voice recordings:

Voice Data Processing

• Real-time Analysis: Your voice recordings are analyzed in real-time by our AI systems to provide immediate feedback on pronunciation, grammar, and fluency
• Speech Recognition: We use speech-to-text technology to transcribe your recordings and assess language accuracy
• Pattern Recognition: AI analyzes your speech patterns to identify areas for improvement and personalize your learning path
• Progress Tracking: We compare recordings over time to measure your improvement

AI Model Training

To improve the accuracy and effectiveness of our AI systems, we may use anonymized and aggregated voice data to train our machine learning models. This process involves:

• Removing personally identifiable information from voice recordings
• Aggregating data from multiple users to identify common learning patterns
• Using anonymized data to improve pronunciation feedback algorithms
• Enhancing accent recognition and speech analysis capabilities

Your Control Over Voice Data

• You can review your voice recordings in your account settings
• You can delete individual recordings or all recordings at any time
• You can opt out of having your anonymized data used for AI training (this may limit personalization features)
• Deleted recordings are permanently removed from our active systems within 30 days

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers and Partners

We work with trusted third-party service providers to operate our platform:

• Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for data storage and processing
• AI Services: OpenAI, Google AI, or similar providers for speech recognition and natural language processing
• Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal for handling subscription payments
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics, Mixpanel for usage analytics
• Email Services: SendGrid, Mailgun for sending notifications
• Customer Support: Zendesk, Intercom for support ticket management

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the specific services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes
• Requests from government authorities or law enforcement
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Investigation of fraud, security issues, or illegal activities

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new owner. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our Service before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you explicitly consent to such sharing, such as when connecting your account to social media platforms or third-party integrations.

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

Retention Periods

• Account Information: Retained for as long as your account is active, plus 90 days after account deletion
• Voice Recordings: Retained until you delete them or for up to 2 years of account inactivity
• Learning Data: Retained for as long as your account is active to track progress
• Payment Information: Retained as required by law for tax and accounting purposes (typically 7 years)
• Analytics Data: Anonymized analytics data may be retained indefinitely for research purposes
• Support Tickets: Retained for 3 years for quality assurance and training purposes

Secure Storage

Your data is stored on secure servers provided by leading cloud infrastructure providers. We implement:

• Encryption at rest and in transit (AES-256 and TLS 1.3)
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Automated backups and disaster recovery procedures

Lingova operates globally and may transfer your information to countries outside of your residence, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws than your country.

When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission (for EU data)
• Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
• Data Processing Agreements with third-party processors
• Compliance with GDPR requirements for international transfers

By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries where we or our service providers operate.

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. We honor these rights regardless of where you are located.

GDPR Rights (European Union Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the following rights under GDPR:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority

CCPA Rights (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under CCPA:

• Right to Know: Request information about the personal data we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of your personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise your privacy rights without discrimination

General Rights (All Users)

All users can:

• Access and update your account information at any time
• Delete your voice recordings through account settings
• Export your learning data
• Close your account and request data deletion
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Control cookie preferences

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@lingova.ai. We will respond to your request within 30 days. You may need to verify your identity before we can fulfill your request.

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256)
• Access Controls: Role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication for staff
• Network Security: Firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and DDoS protection
• Secure APIs: API authentication and rate limiting to prevent abuse
• Regular Updates: Timely security patches and software updates

Organizational Safeguards

• Employee training on data protection and security best practices
• Confidentiality agreements with all staff and contractors
• Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Incident response plan for data breaches

Your Responsibility

While we implement strong security measures, you also play a role in protecting your account:

• Use a strong, unique password for your account
• Enable two-factor authentication if available
• Do not share your account credentials with others
• Log out when using shared devices
• Report any suspicious activity immediately

Important: No security system is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your account has been compromised, please contact us immediately at security@lingova.ai.

Lingova is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age without parental consent, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

If you are under 13: Please do not use the Service or provide any personal information without your parent or guardian's permission.

For parents/guardians: If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@lingova.ai, and we will promptly delete such information from our records.

Teen Users (13-17): If you are between 13 and 17 years old, we encourage you to review this Privacy Policy with your parent or guardian before using the Service.

We may send you marketing communications about our Service, new features, promotions, and educational content if you have opted in to receive such communications.

Types of Communications

• Newsletter with learning tips and language resources
• Product updates and new feature announcements
• Special offers and promotional discounts
• Educational content and blog posts
• Re-engagement campaigns for inactive users

How to Opt Out

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Adjusting email preferences in your account settings
• Contacting us at support@lingova.ai

Note: Even if you opt out of marketing emails, you will still receive essential account-related communications such as password resets, payment confirmations, and service updates.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will notify you by:

• Sending an email to the address associated with your account
• Displaying a prominent notice on our Service
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of the Service after changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

For significant changes that materially affect your rights, we may require you to provide explicit consent before the changes take effect.

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: