Privacy Policy
This policy explains what data Hmong Connect ("we", "the app") collects, how we collect it, how we use it, and who we share it with.
1. Data we collect
| Data | How it is collected | Why we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Account data: email, phone number, name, profile photo, sign-in provider (email, phone, Google, Apple) or anonymous guest ID | You provide it when you sign up or sign in | To create and secure your account and show your profile |
| Voice recordings (Hmong Voice) | Microphone, only after you agree and allow access, and only when you tap to speak | To transcribe and translate what you say and show you the result |
| Photos (Hmong Lens) | Camera or photo library, only after you agree and allow access, and only for the photo you choose | To read and explain the content of the photo |
| Content you submit: articles, feedback, saved items, history | You submit it in the app | To run the features you use; articles are reviewed by an admin before publishing |
| Usage and diagnostics: app interactions, crash reports, device and app version | Automatically (Firebase Analytics, Crashlytics) | To fix bugs and improve the app |
We do not collect your precise location, contacts or payment information, and we do not sell your data or use it for advertising or tracking.
2. Third-party AI service: Google
To provide Hmong Voice and Hmong Lens, the app sends the following data to Google (Google Cloud: Speech-to-Text, Cloud Translation and Gemini AI):
- Hmong Voice: the voice recording you make and the text transcribed from it.
- Hmong Lens: the photo you take or choose and the text extracted from it.
This data is sent only after you give permission in the in-app consent dialog, and only when you use these features. It is processed by Google solely to return the result to you. We do not use it to train AI models, and we do not make your photos or recordings public. Google processes this data under its Google Cloud terms and data-protection commitments, which give protection equal to this policy. If you decline, these two features are not used and nothing is sent. You can still use the rest of the app.
3. Other service providers
We use Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Cloud Functions, Analytics, Crashlytics, App Check) to run the app, and Apple and Google to provide sign-in. These providers process data on our behalf only to provide their services.
4. Retention
Account and profile data are kept until you delete your account. Voice recordings and photos are used to produce your result and are not kept by us as content; Lens camera photos are deleted from your device after use. Your voice or lens history shown in the app is stored with your account until you delete it or your account.
5. Your choices and rights
- Withdraw microphone or camera access at any time in your device Settings.
- Delete your account and associated data from within the app (Profile → Delete account), or by contacting us.
- Request access, correction or deletion of your data by emailing us.
6. Children
The app is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.
7. Security
Data is transmitted over encrypted connections and stored with Firebase access controls. No method is 100% secure.
8. Changes and contact
We may update this policy and will change the date above. Questions or requests: vangthao1905@gmail.com