Your learning stays yours.

Data stored on your device

Lessons, answer history, review scheduling, favourites, settings, collection progress, and other learning state are stored in the app database on your device. If you do not use optional account backup, QAMMKO does not receive this learning data.

Optional permissions

Microphone

Microphone access is requested only when you tap Record myself. The clip is held temporarily for immediate playback, is not intentionally transmitted by Hanzi Roots, and is deleted when you discard it or leave the character screen.

Notifications

If you opt in, Hanzi Roots schedules a daily learning reminder locally on your device. You can turn reminders off in the app or in Android settings. The reminder does not create an advertising profile or require a marketing service.

Backups and optional account sync

Portable backup

When you export a manual backup, Android’s share sheet lets you choose where the file goes; QAMMKO does not automatically receive a copy. Import begins only after you select a file and confirm that local progress will be replaced.

Android system backup

Android may include app data in a device backup when system backup is enabled. Android and your Google account settings control that service, not Hanzi Roots.

Optional private account backup

If account sync is available and you opt in, Google Firebase processes your email address, account identifier, authentication tokens, and the learning-backup file you deliberately save. Passwords are handled by Firebase Authentication and are not visible to QAMMKO. Backups may include learning state, reviews, favourites, settings, and collection achievements; they do not include temporary microphone recordings. Save and Restore are manual actions.

Services and network use

Core lessons are designed to work offline. The app has no mandatory login, advertising SDK, analytics SDK, or crash-reporting SDK. If optional account sync is active, Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore provide sign-in and private backup storage over HTTPS. External source and licence links open outside the app and are governed by the destination website’s privacy policy.

Google Play supplies distribution, payment, downloads, and related operating-system services under Google’s own terms and privacy notices.

Retention and security

Local learning data remains on your device until you clear the app’s storage or uninstall it, subject to any Android system backup you have enabled. Temporary pronunciation recordings are removed when you discard them or leave the screen. A manual export remains wherever you chose to save or share it until you delete it there.

If you use an optional account, its private learning backup remains until you replace it or delete the account and cloud backup from the app. Network transfers for optional account features use HTTPS. No internet service can be guaranteed completely risk-free, so optional sync is never required to use the learning experience.

Your choices and data control

You can learn without an account and without enabling microphone or notification access. You can remove local data through Android settings or by uninstalling the app, subject to Android system backup. You may export your learning progress first.

If you create an optional account, you can sign out without deleting local progress, request a password reset, and delete the account and its cloud backup from inside the app. You may also contact QAMMKO for privacy assistance.

Read the complete Hanzi Roots account-deletion instructions →

Children’s privacy

Hanzi Roots is a general-audience education app and is not directed specifically to children under 13. QAMMKO does not knowingly collect personal information from children. An optional sync account should be created only by a person permitted to provide the email address under applicable law. A parent or guardian with a privacy concern can contact QAMMKO below.

Changes to this policy

This page will be updated before Hanzi Roots materially changes how data is handled—for example, by adding analytics, advertising, remote notifications, new cloud data, or a different service provider. The effective date and policy version will change when the policy changes materially.

Contact QAMMKO

For questions, correction requests, deletion assistance, or another privacy concern about Hanzi Roots, email admin@qammko.ca.