Privacy Policy

This is a reference translation. If the English and Japanese versions differ, the Japanese version prevails.

1. Introduction

SignCascade UD ("we", "us", or "our") respects the privacy of users of our services (the "Service") and is committed to protecting personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect and how we use it.

1.1 Applicable Services

This policy applies to the following services:

• Our website (signcascade-ud.jp)
• Manabi Palette (free printable materials, learning games, and classroom tools)
• Shunsoku Master: Sign-Language Interpreter Exam (preparation app for Japan's National Sign-Language Interpreter Certification Exam)
• Shunsoku Master: IT Passport (IT Passport exam preparation app)
• Koe Palette (AAC assistive app)
• Other applications and web services provided by us

2. Information We Collect

This app may collect the following information in order to provide and improve the Service.

2.1 Information You Provide

• Email address when you contact us
• Survey responses
• Feedback and feature requests

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

On iPhone and iPad, the IDFA is used only if you choose "Allow" on the prompt the app shows (App Tracking Transparency). If you do not allow it, the IDFA is not used.

2.3 Use of Firebase Analytics

This app uses Firebase Analytics, provided by Google, to analyze how the app is used and to improve the Service.

Firebase Analytics automatically collects the following:

• Screen navigation history within the app
• Start, completion, and results of study stages
• Quiz answers and accuracy rates
• Learning records such as medals earned and consecutive study days
• Operation history such as setting changes and feedback submissions
• Start, completion, restoration, cancellation, and errors of in-app purchases (no personally identifying information is included)

This information does not identify you as an individual. For details, see the Firebase Privacy Policy and the Google Privacy Policy.

2.4 Use of Firebase Crashlytics

To improve quality and fix bugs, this app uses Firebase Crashlytics, provided by Google. When the app terminates unexpectedly (a crash), the following is sent automatically:

• The app's internal state at the time of the crash (stack trace)
• Device model, OS version, and app version
• Date and time of the crash

This information does not identify you as an individual and is used only to improve the stability of the app.

2.5 In-App Feedback

This app includes a "Report a typo" feature for reporting errors in questions or explanations, and an optional survey. When you send either, the following is transmitted to our endpoint (Google Apps Script) and stored in a Google Sheet we manage:

• Where the error is (question format, field, question ID), the type of error (chosen from a list), and details (free text you enter; optional)
• Your survey answers (multiple-choice items, free text, and a recommendation score)
• Date and time of submission
• The app name and the app version
• An anonymous device ID

The anonymous device ID is a random value generated on your device the first time you send something. It is used only so that a report and a survey answer sent from the same device can be read together. It is unrelated to your name, email address, or advertising ID, and you cannot be identified from it.

This feature does not ask for your email address. It does not send your name, contact details, or location. Both the report and the survey are optional, and every feature of the app remains available if you never send one. What you send is used only to correct the question data and improve the app. We are unable to reply.

2.5.1 Contact Form

"Contact us" in the settings screen is also a form inside the app. It goes to the same endpoint and is stored in the same sheet. The following is sent:

• The kind of inquiry (chosen from a list)
• Your message (free text you enter)
• Your email address (optional; only if you enter one)
• A reference number, the date and time, the app name, the app version, and an anonymous device ID

Entering an email address is optional; you can send without one. If you do enter one, it is used only to reply to that inquiry and is not provided to third parties. If you do not enter one, we are unable to reply.

2.6 Information Stored Locally

The following is stored only on your device and is not sent to our server:

• Study progress and score data
• App settings (theme, notifications, and so on)
• Consecutive study days
• In-app purchase status (purchased flag and purchase date)

2.7 Handling of In-App Purchase Information

Some features of this app can be purchased as a paid, auto-renewing subscription. Payment is processed through the Google Play Store (Google Play billing) in the Android version, and through the App Store (Apple in-app purchase) in the iPhone and iPad version. In-app purchase information is handled as follows:

• We do not obtain or store payment information such as credit card numbers or bank account details. These are managed by the Google Play Store or the App Store under their own responsibility.
• After a purchase completes, we use the purchase information (such as the purchase token or receipt) and purchase date issued by Google Play or the App Store to confirm and restore your purchase status.
• Purchase status (whether you have purchased, and when) is stored only on your device.
• When you change devices, purchases are restored from your Google Play Store history through your Google account in the Android version, and from your App Store history through your Apple Account in the iPhone and iPad version.

For details, see the Google Privacy Policy and Apple Privacy Policy.

2.8 Use of Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore

This app uses Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore, provided by Google, to identify users anonymously. No sign-in or account registration is required.

2.8.1 Anonymous Authentication

The first time the app starts, Firebase Authentication generates an anonymous user ID automatically. This ID is used only for internal processing within the app and contains no information that identifies you. No sign-in or account registration is needed.

2.8.2 Data Stored in Cloud Firestore

The following is stored in Firebase Cloud Firestore (Google servers) over an encrypted connection:

• Authentication method (anonymous)
• Account creation date and time
• Last active date and time

It is kept against your anonymous authentication ID (UID) and cannot be accessed by other users. It does not include your name, email address, or similar details.

2.8.3 Deleting Your Data

If you would like the data held in Firebase deleted, please follow the procedure in §12. Uninstalling the app deletes the study progress, settings, and purchase status stored on your device.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect only for the following purposes:

1. Providing and maintaining the app's features
2. Fixing problems and improving the Service
3. Responding to inquiries
4. Delivering advertisements
5. Compiling and analyzing usage statistics
6. Notifying you of new features and updates
7. Processing in-app purchases and managing purchase status
8. Managing accounts and carrying purchase status over when you change devices

4. Disclosure to Third Parties

We do not provide your personal information to third parties except in the following cases:

• When you have given consent
• When disclosure is required by law
• When it is necessary to protect a person's life, body, or property

4.1 Third-Party Services We Use

5. Where Data Is Stored

• On your device: study progress, settings, purchase status (available offline)
• Firebase (Google servers): anonymous authentication information (see §2.8; protected by encrypted communication)
• Google Apps Script / Google Sheets (managed by us): typo reports and survey answers
• Inquiries: sent to the same endpoint and stored in the same sheet as above

6. Retention Period

• Inquiries: three years after the matter is resolved

7. Your Rights

You have the following rights:

• Access: you may request disclosure of the personal information collected
• Correction: you may request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: you may request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out: you may reset or disable your Advertising ID in your device settings (Android: the "Ads" item in your device settings / iPhone and iPad: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking)

8. Advertising

8.1 In-App Advertising

This app displays advertisements through Google AdMob. Your Advertising ID may be used so that ads matching your interests can be delivered.

No advertisements are shown while you are studying or answering questions.

If you subscribe to the premium plan, no advertisements are shown in the app.

If you do not want personalized ads, you can reset or disable your Advertising ID in your device settings (Android: the "Ads" item in your device settings / iPhone and iPad: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking).

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, the app shows a consent form, provided through Google's consent management tool (User Messaging Platform), about the use of your information for advertising. You can change your choice at any time in the app from “設定” (Settings) → “広告の同意設定” (Ad consent settings).

8.2 Website Advertising

Our website may use third-party advertising services (Google AdSense). Advertising providers may use cookies to show ads matching your interests.

You can disable personalized advertising on Google's Ads Settings page.

8-2. Cookies and Local Storage

Our website uses cookies and browser local storage (localStorage) for the following purposes:

• Keeping your theme setting: saves your choice of light or dark mode
• Keeping tool settings: saves settings for tools such as the timer and scoreboard
• Analytics: uses cookies from Google Analytics 4 to analyze site usage anonymously

Information kept in localStorage stays in your browser and is not sent to our server. You can delete it at any time from your browser settings.

9. Children's Privacy

This app is intended for users aged 13 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

Minors should obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before making a purchase.

10. Security

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, and leakage. However, no communication over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee the safety of information with absolute certainty.

10.1 Encryption in Transit

All communication between this app or this website and our servers uses SSL/TLS (HTTPS) encryption, which prevents the information sent and received from being intercepted by third parties.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy as necessary. If there is a significant change, we will notify you within the app. If you continue to use the app after a change, you are deemed to have agreed to the revised policy.

12. Requesting Deletion of Your Data

You may request deletion of your data related to our services as follows:

1. Send an email to contact@signcascade-ud.com with "Data Deletion Request" clearly stated.
2. Within a reasonable period, we will delete the following:
   • The anonymous account information (anonymous ID) held in Firebase Authentication
   • The information stored in Cloud Firestore (authentication method, account creation date, last active date)
   • Anything you sent as a typo report, a survey answer, or an inquiry, including your email address if you entered one and the anonymous device ID
   • Usage data recorded in Firebase Analytics
   • Information tied to your Advertising ID in Google AdMob (we will submit the deletion request to Google on your behalf)

The app itself stores user data (study progress, dictionary bookmarks, and so on) only on your device, and all of it is deleted when you uninstall the app. You can review and manage your in-app purchase history in the Google Play Store (Android version) or the App Store (iPhone and iPad version).

13. Contact

For questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, please contact us: