Privacy Policy for Smarty Ears Apps on the App Store

Updated October 20, 2023

Overview

Welcome to the Privacy Policy for Smarty Ears Apps and Services. This document aims to transparently outline how Smarty Ears, LLC (“Smarty Ears,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) manages, collects, and utilizes personal information through our various iOS applications, website (http://smartyearsapps.com), and other related services (collectively referred to as “Services”). Your privacy is of utmost importance to us, and this policy is designed to help you understand what data we collect, how we use it, and what controls you have over your information.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using any of our Services, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Services.

Exclusions

Please note that this Privacy Policy does not apply to our separate product “Smarty Ears Learning Online“, which is hosted on a different domain ( https://smartyearslearning.com/and has its own dedicated privacy policy. For information regarding how “Smarty Ears Learning Online” handles personal information, please refer to its specific privacy policy.

Who We Are

Welcome to Smarty Ears, your trusted partner in special education technology solutions. Founded in 2009, Smarty Ears has been at the forefront of innovation, committed to enriching the lives of individuals with learning and communication challenges. Our portfolio spans over 40 mobile applications and an online platform, each designed to meet a variety of speech, language, literacy, and communication needs.

Led by our founder and CEO, Barbara Fernandes, we are a mission-driven organization with a strong commitment to privacy and data security. Our applications and online platforms are used by professionals, educators, and families across 127 countries, and we take our responsibility to protect your personal information seriously.

This Privacy Policy serves as our commitment to safeguard the personal information of all our users, while providing cutting-edge educational and therapeutic solutions. By using our services, you are trusting us with your information, and this Policy outlines how we handle that trust.

Scope of Policy

Applicability

This Privacy Policy specifically applies to all mobile applications published by Smarty Ears, LLC, available on the Apple iTunes Store, as well as our primary website and any other services that are directly linked to Smarty Ears, LLC. For a comprehensive list of applications covered by this Privacy Policy, please visit our Apps Page.

Information We Collect
  • From Apps

We are committed to respecting the privacy of all our users and complying with applicable privacy laws. Some of our mobile applications offer the option to collect and store personal information like names and photos to set up and personalize a child’s profile. This feature is optional and not required to use the app.

In addition, some of our screener and assessment apps may prompt users, typically adults, to enter a child’s date of birth. This information allows the app to calculate and compare the child’s performance to a database, offering tailored content based on the child’s age.

It’s important to note that:

  • All collected data, including names, photos, and dates of birth, are stored solely on the device.
  • No data is transmitted to Smarty Ears or any third parties.
  • Data is not uploaded to iCloud or any other cloud storage service.

 

Additionally, our apps offer the ability to contact our support team directly through the app. When you use this feature, the following information may automatically be included in the email to assist us in providing targeted support:

  • Device type (e.g., iPad)
  • Device model
  • Operating system name and version (e.g., iOS 14.4)
  • Device name (e.g., Patricia’s iPad)
  • Application version (e.g., 1.0)
 
 
  • From Website

When you interact with our website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us. This can include:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Subscriptions to newsletters or updates
  • Comments on our blog
  • Any correspondence with our support team

We may also collect non-personal information for analytics and service improvement, such as:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Operating system
  • Navigation patterns on our website

This information is used strictly for enhancing user experience and optimizing our services.

Children’s Privacy

Data Collection and Use

Smarty Ears places a high priority on protecting the privacy of children. Our apps are designed to be used under the supervision of adults, including professionals and parents. While some apps offer the option to collect names and photos to personalize a child’s profile, these features are entirely optional. Any data collected is stored solely on the device and is not transmitted to Smarty Ears or any third parties.

Parental Controls

We encourage parents and guardians to be actively involved in their children’s online activities. Our apps do not offer in-app purchases, advertisements, or any features that would allow a child to disclose personal information.

How We Use Information

Purpose and Usage

The personal information collected, either from our apps or website, is used exclusively for the functionality of our services. For example, in our assessment apps, a child’s date of birth is used to provide age-appropriate content and to generate reports that can aid professionals in their work.

All collected data is intended to improve the user experience and to provide professionals, educators, and parents with valuable insights. None of the information collected is used for advertising purposes or shared with third-party companies.

When you contact our support team directly through our apps, the automatically included information (device type, model, operating system, etc.) helps us in diagnosing issues and providing effective support. This data is solely used for the purpose of improving your support experience and is not used for advertising or shared with third parties.

 

External Links and Social Media

Many Smarty Ears applications include the functionality to access the Internet or social media platforms through various buttons within our apps. These features are protected by adult-only access mechanisms, in compliance with Apple’s guidelines, to ensure that they are not misused by children.

Disclaimer

Smarty Ears does not have control over the content, links, or privacy practices employed by websites or platforms linked to or from our apps. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for the protection and privacy of any information you provide while visiting such sites. We strongly encourage users to exercise caution and to read the privacy policy of any external sites they visit.

How We Store Information


Any personal information collected by our mobile applications, such as names, photos, and dates of birth, is stored locally on your device. This data is not transmitted to Smarty Ears servers or to any third-party services. Furthermore, this data is not uploaded to iCloud or any other cloud storage services. Our aim is to provide a secure environment where your data remains under your control.

Security Measures

iOS Applications

The safety and integrity of your personal information are of the utmost importance to Smarty Ears. Our iOS applications are developed in accordance with Apple’s stringent security guidelines to ensure data protection. Here are some of the key security features we implement:

  • Local Storage: All personal data collected by our applications, including names, photos, and dates of birth, is stored locally on your device. This eliminates the risks associated with data transmission and cloud storage.

  • Data Isolation: Each application operates within its own secure environment, ensuring that data is not accessible by other applications on your device.

  • Adult-Only Access to External Links: Any functionality that allows access to the internet or social media platforms is protected by adult-only access mechanisms, as per Apple’s guidelines.

  • No Cloud Sync: To maximize data control, our applications do not upload any personal information to iCloud or any other cloud storage service.

  • Optional Data Collection: Personalization features that collect names and photos are entirely optional, providing users with the freedom to decide how much information to input.

  • App Store Compliance: All our applications undergo rigorous security checks during the App Store review process to ensure they meet Apple’s high standards for data protection and privacy.

By adhering to these measures, we strive to provide a secure and reliable environment for all users.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

At Smarty Ears, we take your privacy seriously. We do not share, sell, or disclose your personal information to third parties. All data collected by our mobile applications is stored locally on your device and is not transmitted to external servers or parties. This includes names, photos, and dates of birth. Our commitment to your privacy extends to our website interactions, where personal information is used solely for improving our services and enhancing user experience.

Legal Obligations

While it is our policy to protect your personal information, there may be circumstances where we are legally obligated to disclose such information. These instances include but are not limited to:

  • Compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Responding to lawful subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes.
  • Protecting the rights, property, or personal safety of Smarty Ears, our users, or the public.

In such cases, we will take all reasonable steps to notify you of these requirements unless prohibited by law.

International Users and Compliance

Our services are accessible to users around the world. By using our services, you acknowledge that your information may be processed and stored in countries other than your own, including the United States, which may have different data protection laws.

GDPR, CCPA, COPPA

We strive to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If you have any concerns about your data rights under these regulations, please contact us at [your contact information].

Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the United States and the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any claim or dispute related to the use of our services will be subject to the jurisdiction of the federal or state courts located within Dallas, Texas, United States.

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or change this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and where appropriate, notified to you via the relevant service. Please check this policy periodically to stay informed about how we handle your information.

Updates and Notifications

While we will make reasonable efforts to notify users of significant changes to this Privacy Policy, it remains your responsibility to review this policy regularly. Notifications of significant changes may be delivered through our apps, website, or via email, where possible.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, you are welcome to contact us using one of the following methods:

Legal Disclaimers

The information contained in this Privacy Policy is for general information purposes and should not be considered legal advice. While we strive to keep the information up to date and accurate, we make no warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in this policy.