Dedicated Japanese Reader App

Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 19, 2026

1. Information We Collect

Account information

• Email address, display name, and Firebase user identifier when you create or use an account.
• Email verification status, verification email timestamps, and account creation/update timestamps.
• Sign-in provider information, such as email/password or Sign in with Apple.
• Password reset and account verification requests needed to operate account access.

Reading and learning data

• Stories, chapters, step text, JLPT level, images, and other reading library data loaded from the Reader app bundle or the Reader Firebase project.
• The current story, chapter, and step used for continue-reading features. In the current app, this progress is stored on your device unless a cloud sync feature is explicitly provided.
• Saved vocabulary cards, saved grammar cards, review counts, and review timestamps. In the current app, saved study cards are stored on your device unless a cloud sync feature is explicitly provided.
• Japanese sentences or text snippets you ask the app to explain, translate, analyze for vocabulary/grammar, or read aloud.
• Generated translations, vocabulary items, grammar explanations, narration audio URLs, requested narration style, and related AI response metadata.
• Language preference, app settings, timezone sent with backend requests, and daily AI usage counters.

Subscription and transaction data

• Reader Premium status, product identifier, transaction identifier, original transaction identifier, verification timestamp, subscription expiry date, and subscription status.
• Payment card details are handled by Apple. We do not receive or store your payment card number.

Technical data

• Device type, app version, request endpoint, response status, timing metadata, crash or diagnostic information, and server logs needed to secure and operate the service.
• IP address may be processed by our hosting provider and backend infrastructure for security, abuse prevention, guest usage limits, and rate limiting.

2. How We Use Information

• To create and secure your account.
• To send account verification emails and important service notices.
• To load Japanese reading stories and resume local reading progress.
• To save and review vocabulary or grammar study cards on your device.
• To generate Japanese reading explanations, translations, vocabulary lists, grammar notes, and narration.
• To cache repeated translations and narration audio so the app can respond faster and control service costs.
• To verify Reader Premium subscriptions and provide Premium features.
• To enforce daily AI usage limits and prevent abuse.
• To troubleshoot bugs, respond to support requests, and improve app reliability.

3. AI Processing

When you request an explanation, translation, vocabulary extraction, grammar analysis, or narration, the relevant Japanese text, selected language, JLPT level, and request context may be sent to our backend and to AI service providers configured for the Reader app.

The Reader app currently uses AI model providers through OpenRouter for translation, vocabulary, and grammar features, and Google Gemini Text-to-Speech through Google Cloud for narration. Generated narration audio may be stored in Google Cloud Storage and cached so the app can play it back efficiently.

We do not sell your reading text, explanations, audio, or account data. Third-party AI and cloud providers may process and retain data according to their own service terms, privacy policies, abuse monitoring, and security requirements.

4. Third-Party Services

5. Legal Bases for Processing

Where applicable law requires a legal basis, we process personal information based on performance of our contract with you, legitimate interests in operating and securing the service, compliance with legal obligations, and your consent where required.

6. Data Retention

• Account profile records, email verification records, subscription status, and daily usage counters are retained while your account is active or as needed to provide the service.
• Saved vocabulary, saved grammar, and continue-reading progress stored locally remain on your device until you delete them, uninstall the app, or clear app data.
• Cached translations and generated narration audio may be retained to improve performance, reduce repeated AI processing, and support service reliability.
• Server logs are retained for a limited period for security, debugging, billing, and abuse prevention.
• When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize personal data associated with your Reader account unless retention is required for legal, security, subscription, transaction record, or abuse prevention purposes.

7. Your Choices and Rights

• You may update certain account information in the app.
• You may delete saved vocabulary and grammar cards where the app provides deletion controls.
• You may clear local reading progress by using app controls where available or by removing app data from your device.
• You can delete your Reader account in the app from Profile > Account > Delete Account. Contact us at kotogoo.com@gmail.com if you need help with data access or account deletion.
• You may manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID subscription settings.
• Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict, object to, or export your personal data.

8. Children's Privacy

Kotogoo - Japanese Reading is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us so we can delete it.

9. Security

We use HTTPS, Firebase security controls, server-side authentication checks, and operational safeguards to protect information. No system is completely secure, but we work to reduce risk and respond to security issues.

10. International Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your country of residence, including countries where our infrastructure and service providers operate. We rely on service provider safeguards and applicable transfer mechanisms where required.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide notice through the app, website, or email where appropriate. The updated date above shows when this policy was last revised.

12. Contact