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Finally Learn a Language

Privacy Policy

Effective date: February 22, 2025 Last updated: June 5, 2025 Developer: MaterialsQC Contact: info@materialsqc.ca

1 Overview

This Privacy Policy describes how Finally Learn a Language ("the App"), developed by MaterialsQC, handles information when you use the Android application. We are committed to protecting your privacy.

Short version: The App does not collect, store, or share any personal information on our servers. Your word lists, learning progress, practice statistics, and settings never leave your device. The only third-party data activity comes from the advertising, speech recognition, and text-to-speech services described below.

The App provides a vocabulary learning platform based on the Leitner spaced repetition method. It supports 13 interface languages and allows users to practice vocabulary through multiple-choice sessions, pronunciation exercises, and text-to-speech assisted reading across 12 target languages.

2 Information We Do Not Collect

MaterialsQC does not collect any of the following:

  • Names, email addresses, or any account information — no login is required
  • Your word lists, vocabulary databases, or Leitner box progress
  • Your practice statistics, session scores, or learning history
  • Your chosen interface language, practice language, or app settings
  • Device identifiers, IP addresses, or location data
  • Usage analytics or crash reports sent to our servers
  • Any data through the feedback feature — tapping "Send Feedback" opens your own email application; we only receive what you choose to write and send

3 Data Stored Locally on Your Device

The following data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted to MaterialsQC or any third party:

DataStorage LocationPurpose
Word lists and vocabulary databases Local SQLite database Core app functionality
Leitner box progress (boxes 1–5 per word) Local SQLite database Spaced repetition algorithm
Practice session history (words practiced, scores, dates) Local SQLite database Daily and weekly statistics shown in the app
App settings (interface language, practice language, answer type, TTS language, practice length) SharedPreferences (local) User preferences
Reminder settings (enabled/disabled, scheduled times) SharedPreferences (local) Daily practice notification scheduling
Onboarding selections (native language, estimated vocabulary size) SharedPreferences (local) Building the default English learning database on first launch
Active practice session state SharedPreferences (local) Resuming an interrupted session
Named database files and backup files Device storage location chosen by you via the system file picker Manual backup & restore; multiple vocabulary databases

You can delete all locally stored data at any time by using Database Management → Delete Database within the App, or by clearing app data via Android Settings → Apps → Finally Learn a Language → Clear Data, or by uninstalling the App.

4 Third-Party Services

The App integrates third-party services that may collect or process data independently under their own privacy policies. MaterialsQC does not receive or have access to data processed by these services.

4.1 Google AdMob (Advertising)

The App displays banner and interstitial advertisements provided by Google AdMob. To serve relevant ads, Google may collect:

  • Advertising ID (a resettable device identifier)
  • Device information (model, OS version)
  • General location (country/region, derived from IP address)
  • Ad interaction data (views, clicks)
This data is collected and processed by Google, not by MaterialsQC. You can opt out of personalized ads at any time in your Android device settings: Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization.

Google's Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
Google AdMob policies: support.google.com/admob

4.2 Android Speech Recognition (Pronunciation Practice)

The Pronunciation Practice feature uses Android's built-in speech recognition engine, which is typically provided by Google. When you use this feature:

  • Audio captured by your microphone is sent to Google's speech recognition servers for processing
  • The recognized text is returned to the App to calculate your pronunciation score
  • MaterialsQC does not receive, store, or process your audio recordings
Speech recognition is only activated when you tap the "Start Speaking" button — the microphone is never accessed passively or in the background.

Google's Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy

4.3 Android Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud Feature)

The App uses Android's Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine to read vocabulary words and example sentences aloud during both regular practice sessions and pronunciation practice. This engine is typically provided by Google (Google Text-to-Speech) and operates as follows:

  • Text (words and example sentences from your local database) is passed to the on-device TTS engine for synthesis
  • For high-quality voices, the TTS engine may stream audio synthesis requests to Google's servers, depending on the voice type installed on your device
  • MaterialsQC does not receive or store any audio or text processed by the TTS engine

The App may also prompt you to install additional language voice packs from Google Play to improve pronunciation quality. Downloading voice packs is subject to Google Play's terms and privacy policy.

TTS is triggered only when displaying a word or when you tap the listen button. It is never active in the background.

Google's Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy

4.4 Google Play (In-App Update Checks)

The App uses Google Play's in-app update API to check whether a newer version of the App is available. When this check occurs:

  • The App communicates with Google Play services on your device
  • No personal data from your vocabulary content or learning progress is involved
  • This interaction is subject to Google Play's standard terms and privacy policy

Google Play Privacy Policy: policies.google.com/privacy

5 App Permissions Explained

PermissionWhy It's Needed
INTERNET Required to load advertisements from Google AdMob, check for app updates via Google Play, and support TTS or speech recognition engines that may communicate with Google servers
RECORD_AUDIO Required for the Pronunciation Practice feature; only active when you tap "Start Speaking" — never used passively
READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE / WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE Requested on Android 9 and below only; on Android 10+ the App uses the Storage Access Framework (SAF) system file picker, which requires no broad storage permission
POST_NOTIFICATIONS Required on Android 13+ to display daily practice reminder notifications; you are prompted to grant this permission on first launch
SCHEDULE_EXACT_ALARM Required to schedule practice reminders at the precise times you configure; you may set multiple daily reminder times in Settings
RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED Required to automatically reschedule your reminders after your device restarts, so you never miss a practice alert

6 First-Launch Onboarding & Default Database

On first launch, the App offers to build a personalized English vocabulary database for you. During this process you may be asked to:

  • Select your native language (used to choose translation language in practice)
  • Estimate your current English vocabulary size using a slider (used to set your starting rank in the word list)
These selections are stored exclusively on your device in SharedPreferences. They are used solely to configure the local database and are never transmitted to MaterialsQC or any third party.

You can update your starting rank and language preferences at any time in Settings. You can rebuild or delete the database at any time via Database Management.

7 Children's Privacy

The App is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. Because the App itself collects no personal data on our servers, there is no special risk for younger users beyond the third-party advertising data described in Section 4.1.

If you are a parent or guardian and have concerns about your child's use of the App, please contact us at info@materialsqc.ca.

8 Data Retention & Deletion

Since MaterialsQC does not collect any data from you, there is nothing for us to retain or delete on our end. All data created by the App exists solely on your own device.

To remove all App data from your device you can:

  • Use Database Management → Delete Database to erase all word and progress data
  • Clear app data via Android Settings → Apps → Finally Learn a Language → Clear Data
  • Uninstall the App, which removes all locally stored data

Backup files you have saved to your own device storage or chosen location via the system file picker are under your full control and can be deleted using your device's file manager.

For data collected by Google AdMob or Google Speech Recognition, please refer to Google's data deletion options at myaccount.google.com.

9 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the App's features or applicable regulations. If we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10 Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us: