Privacy Policy

Snap Pinyin (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the Snap Pinyin web application at www.snappinyin.com and the Snap Pinyin iOS app. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.

We are based in Australia and comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

2.1 Information Collected Without an Account

You can use Snap Pinyin for a limited number of translations without creating an account. When you use the Service without signing in, we collect:

• Your IP address (used solely for rate limiting to prevent abuse)
• The number of translations performed (stored locally in your browser)

We do not associate unauthenticated translations with any personal identity.

2.2 Account Information

When you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive and store:

• Your name
• Your email address
• Your profile picture (Google only)

We do not receive or store your Google or Apple password. Apple may provide a private relay email address if you choose to hide your email.

2.3 Translation Data

When you use Snap Pinyin, we process:

• The Chinese text you translate (either pasted or extracted from images via OCR)
• The pinyin and English translations generated for that text
• The date and time of each translation

For Pro users, translation history is stored in your account. For free users, translations are not saved to your account.

For image translations, we do not permanently store the original images you upload. Images are processed in memory and discarded after the text has been extracted.

2.4 Subscription and Payment Data

If you subscribe to Snap Pinyin Pro or purchase translation packs, payment processing is handled by Stripe (web) or Apple (iOS app). We do not see or store your credit card number or bank details. We store only:

• Your Stripe customer ID or RevenueCat app user ID (reference codes linking your account to your payment record)
• Your subscription status (free or Pro)
• Your translation credit balance

2.5 Usage Data

We collect basic usage information including:

• Number of translations performed
• Translation credit usage
• General app usage patterns

2.6 Marketing Communications

If you opt in to receive marketing emails, we store your email address for this purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.

We use your information to:

• Provide and operate the Snap Pinyin translation service
• Manage your account and subscription
• Track your translation credits
• Store your translation history (Pro users)
• Enforce rate limits and prevent abuse
• Send you marketing communications about Snap Pinyin and related products (only if you have opted in)
• Improve the app and fix technical issues

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

We use the following third-party services to operate Snap Pinyin:

Each of these services has its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review them:

• Google Privacy Policy
• Apple Privacy Policy
• Stripe Privacy Policy
• RevenueCat Privacy Policy
• Vercel Privacy Policy
• Neon Privacy Policy

Your data is stored on servers managed by Vercel (app hosting) and Neon (database hosting), and secured with:

• HTTPS encryption for all data in transit
• Encrypted database storage
• Environment-variable-protected API keys
• Rate limiting to prevent abuse (per-user for authenticated users, per-IP for unauthenticated users)

While we take reasonable steps to protect your data, no method of electronic storage is 100% secure.

• Account data: Retained for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your data will be removed within 30 days.
• Translation history: Retained for as long as your account is active.
• Payment records: Retained as required by Australian tax law (typically 5 years).
• Unauthenticated usage data: IP-based rate limit data is not permanently stored and is cleared automatically.

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct any inaccurate information
• Delete your account and associated data
• Opt out of marketing communications at any time
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at nate@snappinyin.com.

Snap Pinyin uses essential cookies for authentication (keeping you signed in). We also use browser local storage to track unauthenticated translation usage. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.

Snap Pinyin is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice in the app. Your continued use of Snap Pinyin after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.