Laowai Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 30, 2026

This policy explains how Laowai processes data when you use its offline Chinese dictionary, texts, lists, study tools, widgets, reminders, account features, and cloud sync.

At a glance

• The dictionary, character data, and core search run locally and work offline.
• We do not sell personal data, use IDFA, or use your data for advertising tracking.
• Your study content and, if you contact us, your support request are used only to provide app features.
• Firebase Analytics may collect product interactions and coarse location to improve the app. It is never used for advertising tracking.
• Cloud sync is optional and is used to move your learning data between your devices.

Data linked to you

If you use cloud or support features, Laowai may process:

• an anonymous user identifier used to secure cloud, public-list, and support features;
• user content such as word lists, texts, favorites, study progress, review settings, and imported learning material.
• the messages, photos, and files you choose to send to support. To help resolve a first support request, we may attach a diagnostic text file with app version, device and OS information, locale, notification status, and recent in-app event labels.
• a device or push-notification identifier when you enable reply notifications for a support conversation.

Analytics data not linked to you

We may use Firebase Analytics to understand reliability and feature usage. It is not used for advertising tracking. It may include:

• product interactions, such as opening a section, starting a study session, or using sync and widgets;
• coarse location, such as country or region, when made available by Firebase Analytics.

Crash diagnostics

Firebase Crashlytics may collect crash reports, device and OS information, and limited technical diagnostics to help us identify and fix failures. We do not attach your name, email address, or support-thread identifier to Crashlytics.

Local storage and on-device processing

The offline dictionary, character database, settings, and learning data may be stored on your device. OCR is performed with Apple system frameworks. Camera or photo access is used only after you choose to scan or import an image.

Cloud services

If you enable cloud features, learning data may be synchronized through Apple iCloud/CloudKit or the Laowai cloud service, depending on the feature and version of the app. Firebase is used for anonymous authentication, support chat, public lists, technical infrastructure, crash diagnostics, and basic product analytics.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are purchased and managed by Apple through the App Store. Laowai checks App Store transaction status to unlock subscriber features. We do not receive or store your card or bank details.

Speech and translation

If you use speaking or translation features, text or audio you select may be processed by Apple system services to perform that action. Do not use these features with information you do not want processed by the relevant service.

Widgets, reminders, and Live Activities

These features use app learning data, such as a selected word, progress, or a link to a study session, to display information on your devices.

Public lists

When you create a public link to a word list, its contents become available to anyone with that link. Do not publish lists containing personal or sensitive information.

Service providers and legal disclosures

We do not sell personal data. Data may be processed by providers that operate selected app features, including Apple and Firebase/Google, or disclosed when required for security, legal compliance, or protection of rights.

Tracking

Laowai does not use IDFA, does not request App Tracking Transparency permission, and does not track you across apps and websites owned by other companies.

Security and retention

We use the standard security mechanisms provided by Apple, Firebase, and HTTPS. No transmission or storage method is completely secure. Data is retained only as needed to provide the selected features or meet legal obligations.

Your choices

You can remove local app data, disable cloud features, sign out, delete the app, or contact support about account data and deletion. Deleting the app does not automatically cancel an App Store subscription; subscriptions are managed in your Apple Account settings.

Children

If a child uses Laowai, a parent or legal guardian should supervise cloud features, public lists, purchases, and imported materials.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when app features or legal requirements change. The current version will remain available on this page.

Contact

Support: laowaien-3ebc4.web.app/support/