Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
BamenCue is a Japanese speaking-practice app operated by Naoki Nakamura ("we", "us").
BamenCue is a learning app. It is not a government, medical, legal or other official service, and it does not give legal, immigration, medical or other professional advice.
If you have a question about this policy, contact us at vietlembk@live.com.
2. What this policy covers
This policy describes how the BamenCue mobile app handles your information. It does not cover services that other companies operate, even when the app connects to them.
3. Information we handle
The app handles the following, and keeps it on your device:
- Settings and preferences — the choices you make in the app.
- Profile information — what you enter during first-run setup, such as a display name, an avatar and your self-reported Japanese level. You may also state a gender; that is optional, "not stated" is a valid answer, and practice never requires it.
- Practice history — a record of your practice activity, including the transcripts of what you said and how long you practised.
This information stays on your device unless you choose one of the optional actions described in sections 7 and 9.
4. Microphone and audio
Speaking practice needs the microphone. Your device asks for microphone permission the first time you hold the speak button, and the app records only while you hold that button.
When you use speaking practice, audio may be processed to provide speaking-practice features, including pronunciation feedback. This may involve service providers, as described in section 8.
How long voice recordings are kept is described in section 6.
5. Recordings kept on your device
Some recordings may be kept on your own device so you can play them back during practice or review. They stay on your device: the app does not delete them automatically and does not currently offer an in-app action to delete them. Uninstalling the app removes them, as does clearing the app's storage in your device settings where your device offers that.
6. Retention of voice recordings
We do not retain voice recordings after processing, except for recordings kept on your device for playback or review as described in section 5.
7. Optional account
You can use BamenCue without an account. Signing in is entirely optional.
If you choose to sign in, you can do so through a third-party sign-in provider, or with a one-time sign-in link sent to your email address. Your email address is held by your chosen sign-in provider as your sign-in identity.
Signing in creates an account for you. If you sign in, profile information associated with your account may be saved so it is available to you. You can change it later in Settings.
The email address on your account is shown to you in Settings.
8. Service providers
We may use service providers where necessary to provide BamenCue. Where information is shared with them, we share only what is needed for that purpose and require appropriate protection, consistent with this policy.
The app is distributed through the Apple App Store and Google Play.
9. Optional backup and restore of your practice history
When you are signed in, your recent practice history — including the transcript text of what you said — is uploaded and associated with your BamenCue account only when you choose "Back up practice history" in Settings. Backing up does not remove the practice history on your device.
You can also restore backed-up practice history to your device.
10. What we do not do
We do not sell your personal data. We do not share it for advertising or marketing. We do not build advertising profiles. We do not sync your practice history automatically. We do not require your name, gender or level in order to let you practise.
11. Keeping and deleting your information
On your device: your preferences, profile, practice history and kept recordings remain until you remove them. The app does not currently offer an in-app "delete all local data" action. Uninstalling the app removes everything it stored on your device, as does clearing the app's storage in your device settings where your device offers that.
Data associated with your account: if you have signed in, Settings offers "Delete account data". It deletes the data associated with your BamenCue account, including any practice history you backed up, and then signs you out.
What that action does not do:
- it does not delete the data on your device;
- it does not delete your sign-in account with your sign-in provider, and it does not withdraw the app's access to that account. You can manage or revoke that access in your sign-in provider's account settings.
We have not set a fixed retention period. We keep account data until you delete it or until it is no longer needed for the purposes described here.
You can also ask us to delete your account data without using the app. Email vietlembk@live.com and we will delete it. You do not need to reinstall the app to make the request. The same address is for any other question or request about your information. See also Privacy choices.
12. Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information, and use secure connections when information is transmitted.
No app, service or transmission method is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
13. Children
BamenCue is intended for general audiences learning Japanese. It is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect information from a child in a way that would require a parent's consent. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us at vietlembk@live.com and we will delete it.
14. Languages
This policy is written in English, which is the authoritative version. Translations may be provided for other languages the app supports. If a translation and the English version disagree, the English version applies.
15. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the app changes. The version and effective date at the top of this document change with it. Continuing to use the app after an update means the updated policy applies to you.
16. Contact
Naoki Nakamura
vietlembk@live.com