VocalPlus Privacy Policy
This policy explains what information the VocalPlus app ("VocalPlus", "the app", "we") handles when you use it. VocalPlus is provided by Homula. You can contact us at info@homula.com.
The short version
- VocalPlus has no accounts and no servers of its own that store your content.
- The documents, photos, messages and web pages you read are processed on your phone. We do not upload them to our servers.
- We do not show ads, and we do not sell your data.
- Some services involved in running the app (your phone's voice engine, the app stores, and our subscription provider) handle limited information, as explained below.
What the app does with your content
Web pages. When you open a page in the built-in browser, the app connects to that website the same way any browser does, and the website can see your device's IP address and the usual browser information. When you tap "Read this page aloud", the app reads the text on the page on your device. The text is not sent to us.
Documents and ebooks (Pro). When you open a PDF, EPUB, Word document, email file or text file, the app reads it on your device. The file is not uploaded to us.
Photos and the camera (Pro). If you take a photo or choose a picture so the app can read the text in it, the picture is processed on your device using text recognition (OCR). We ask for camera permission only when you choose to take a photo, and photo access only when you choose a picture. We do not upload your pictures to our servers.
Messages and shared text (Pro). Text you paste into the app, or share to the app from another app, is read on your device and is not sent to us.
Saved items. To let you continue listening later, the app saves the text of recent items, their titles and your listening position in storage on your phone. This stays on your phone and is removed when you uninstall the app or clear the app's data. The app keeps a limited number of recent items and removes the oldest ones automatically.
Settings. The app stores your chosen voice on your phone.
Voices and text-to-speech
VocalPlus uses the text-to-speech voices built into your phone (for example, the voices from Apple or Google). Most voices run entirely on your device. Some voices, such as certain high-quality "network" voices on Android, may send the text being read to the voice provider's servers over the internet to generate speech. That processing is handled by the provider under its own privacy policy, and you can pick an on-device voice in the voice list.
Downloads the app makes
To read PDFs, ebooks, Word files and photos, the app downloads open-source reading components (and text-recognition language data) from public content delivery networks when you first use those features. These requests are made like any web request, so the network provider can see your device's IP address. None of your documents or photos are included in these requests.
Subscriptions and purchases
VocalPlus Pro is an auto-renewing subscription sold through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Apple or Google processes your payment and handles your payment details; we never see your card number. To manage subscriptions and unlock Pro features, we use a subscription service provider (RevenueCat), which receives a random app user ID, your purchase and subscription status, and basic device and app information needed to verify purchases. See RevenueCat's privacy policy. You can cancel your subscription at any time in your App Store or Google Play subscription settings.
Information we do not collect
- We do not ask you to create an account.
- We do not collect your name, email address, phone number or contacts.
- We do not use advertising or tracking SDKs, and we do not track you across other apps or websites.
- We do not collect your location.
Permissions the app may request
- Camera: only when you choose "Take a photo", to read the text in a picture.
- Photos / files: only when you choose a picture or a file to open.
- Internet: to load web pages, download reading components and verify purchases.
Sharing of information
We do not sell or rent your information. As described above, limited information is handled by the providers that make the app work: your device's voice engine provider, Apple or Google (payments and app distribution), RevenueCat (subscription status), and the networks that deliver downloads and web pages. We may disclose information if required by law.
Children
VocalPlus is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Security and retention
Your content stays on your device. We keep no copy of it. Because we do not store your content on our servers, there is nothing for us to delete on your behalf. To remove the app's saved data from your phone, delete the app or clear its data in your phone's settings.
Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct or delete personal information. Because we do not hold personal information about you beyond what our subscription provider processes, you can contact us at the address above and we will help you with any request, including requests relating to purchase records.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will change the effective date above, and for significant changes we will tell you in the app or on the store listing.
Contact
Homula
Email: info@homula.com