Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: February 20, 2026
This policy complies with COPPA, COPRA, and Apple App Store Guidelines.
1. Introduction
ReadBuddy (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of your children. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Comprehensive Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA), and other applicable privacy laws.
We provide AI-powered reading assistance services for children and families. We understand the special responsibility we have when processing children's data and have implemented enhanced protections accordingly.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Account Information
- Email address and full name (required for account creation)
- Phone number (optional)
- Authentication credentials (securely managed by AWS Cognito)
- Subscription and billing information (processed by Apple In-App Purchase or Stripe)
2.2 Children's Information
Enhanced Protection: Children's data is collected only with parental consent and used exclusively for educational purposes.
- Child's name and age/grade level
- Reading level and educational preferences
- Reading progress and activity data
- Book analysis results and AI-generated questions
2.3 Technical Information
- Device information and browser type
- IP address (for security purposes)
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (with your consent)
- Performance metrics to improve service quality
3. How We Use Your Information
- Service Provision: To provide personalized reading assistance and educational content
- Progress Tracking: To monitor reading progress and generate insights for parents
- AI Processing: To analyze book cover images and generate age-appropriate reading questions (see Section 4)
- Communication: To send account updates, educational insights, and support
- Safety: To ensure child safety and prevent misuse of our services
- Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect rights
4. AI Processing
AI Data Disclosure
ReadBuddy uses artificial intelligence to generate reading comprehension questions. This section describes exactly what data is shared with our AI provider and how it is used.
4.1 AI Provider
We use Google LLC as our AI processing provider to analyze book covers and generate educational reading questions for children.
4.2 Data Shared with AI
The only user data sent to Google LLC is:
- Book cover images scanned or uploaded by the user
- Book titles or author names
- Quiz answers, scores generated by children
4.3 Data NOT Shared with AI
The following data is never sent to our AI provider:
- Children's biometric information
- User purchase information
- Advertising identifiers (e.g., IDFA)
- User email, user ID, or device identifiers
- Children's names or personal information
4.4 Purpose and Security
- Book cover images are used solely to generate age-appropriate reading comprehension questions
- AI-processed data is not used for advertising, marketing, or profiling
- All data transmitted to the AI provider is encrypted in transit using TLS
- We obtain user permission before sending any data to the AI provider
5. Sharing and Third Parties
We share your information only in the following limited circumstances, and all third parties are required to provide equal or greater protection of your data:
- Google LLC: Receives book cover images only for AI question generation (see Section 4)
- AWS (Amazon Web Services): Hosts our infrastructure and authentication services
- Stripe, Inc.: Processes web subscription payments (does not receive children's data)
- Apple Inc.: Processes in-app subscription payments via App Store (does not receive children's data)
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information or your children's data to any third party. We do not share data for advertising or marketing purposes.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes described in this policy:
- Account data: Retained while your account is active and for up to 30 days after deletion request
- Children's data: Retained while the child profile exists; deleted promptly upon parent request
- Book cover images: Processed by the AI provider in real-time and not stored permanently by the AI provider
- Usage analytics: Retained in anonymized form for service improvement
7. Children's Privacy
ReadBuddy is designed for children and complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We do not collect personal information from children without verifiable parental consent. Parents have full control over their children's data and can:
- Review all data collected about their children
- Request deletion of their children's data at any time
- Modify or correct their children's information
- Opt-out of non-essential data collection
- Revoke consent for AI processing of book cover images
8. Your Choices
You have control over your data and how it is used:
- AI Consent: You may grant or revoke consent for AI processing of book cover images at any time
- Account Deletion: You may delete your account and all associated data through your Privacy Dashboard
- Data Export: You may request a copy of your data in a portable format
- Cookie Preferences: You may manage cookie preferences through the consent banner
- Communication Preferences: You may opt-out of non-essential communications
9. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information and your children's data:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS) and at rest
- Secure authentication through AWS Cognito
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Access controls and employee training on data protection
- Compliance with COPPA and applicable data protection regulations
10. Your Rights
Under applicable privacy laws, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Right to Access: Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you
- Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your account and all associated data
- Right to Portability: Request your data in a portable format
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of non-essential data processing
To exercise these rights, visit your Privacy Dashboard or contact us at info@read-buddy.ai.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
12. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by email or through a notice on our website. Your continued use of ReadBuddy after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
