Privacy Policy

ListenToMe is built to read the text you choose without advertising or cross-app tracking.

Controller and contact

Michael Friesen is responsible for the processing described here. Privacy questions and requests can be sent to misch221@googlemail.com.

Data processed by the app

Photos, scans, and recognized text

When you start text recognition, the selected image is sent securely to our cloud backend and a document-recognition service. The resulting text and word positions are returned to the app. Images are processed for this request and are not intentionally retained by our backend after processing. If iCloud synchronization is enabled, your scans, recognized text, document titles, page order, selections, and bookmarks are stored in your private Apple CloudKit database.

Text-to-speech

The text you select, the chosen voice, and a language hint are sent securely to a speech-generation provider. The generated audio is returned to the app and cached on your device so replaying it does not require another generation. Our backend stores generation status, selected voice, character count, a short preview, and usage information to prevent duplicate charging and maintain your reading-page balance.

Account and device identifier

The app derives a pseudonymous identifier from your iCloud user record. The original iCloud record identifier is hashed on the device before it is sent to our backend. If iCloud is unavailable, a random installation identifier is used. We use this identifier to provide starter pages, synchronize balances, validate purchases, and prevent duplicate redemptions.

Purchases

Purchases are processed by Apple. We receive and verify transaction identifiers, product, quantity, purchase date, environment, and an app-account token. We do not receive your payment-card details.

Optional dictation features

If you use an available dictation or audio-import feature, audio and transcript content may be sent to a speech-recognition provider and the resulting transcript and technical usage information may be stored in the backend.

Technical data

Our infrastructure may process IP addresses, timestamps, request metadata, and error logs for security, fraud prevention, reliability, and troubleshooting. We do not use this data for advertising.

Purposes and legal bases

We process data to provide requested app functions and purchases, synchronize your private library, protect the service against abuse, and meet accounting or legal obligations. Depending on your location, the legal bases are performance of the service, legitimate interests in security and reliability, consent for optional device permissions, and compliance with legal obligations.

Service providers and transfers

We use Apple services for iCloud and purchases, Google Cloud/Firebase for backend infrastructure and document recognition, and specialized speech providers for transcription or audio generation. These providers process data only to deliver their respective service under their own contractual and security safeguards. Processing may occur outside your country; where required, appropriate transfer safeguards apply.

Retention and security

Local scans and cached audio remain until you remove them or uninstall the app. Private CloudKit content remains under your iCloud account until deleted. Backend balances, purchase-redemption records, and necessary audit data are retained for as long as needed to provide purchased value, prevent fraud, or satisfy legal obligations. Operational logs are retained for limited periods. Data is encrypted in transit, and access is restricted to systems and people who need it.

Tracking, advertising, and sale

ListenToMe contains no third-party advertising, does not track you across apps or websites, and does not sell personal data.

Your privacy choices and rights

You can deny camera, photo, or microphone permissions in iOS Settings. You can delete documents and pages inside the app. Depending on applicable law, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or object to processing by emailing misch221@googlemail.com. Include enough information to identify the pseudonymous account and purchase in question; we may ask for verification. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data-protection authority.

Children

The app is a general-purpose reading utility and is not directed specifically at children. We do not knowingly collect data from children beyond what is necessary to provide a user-requested function.

Changes

We may update this policy when the app or legal requirements change. The effective date above will be updated, and material changes will be communicated where required.