PrivateLingo is a product of Daeyla LLC (“Daeyla,” “we,” “us”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use the PrivateLingo mobile app (the “Service”), how we use it, and the choices you have. By using PrivateLingo, you agree to this policy.
PrivateLingo is intended for people 13 years of age or older. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them. If you believe a child under 13 has given us information, contact us and we will delete it. Where required by local law (for example, parts of the EU/UK), users under 16 may need parental consent.
Information we collect
Account information: your email address, username, display name, and (optional) profile photo and bio. Passwords are handled by our authentication provider (Google Firebase) and are never stored by us in readable form.
Content you create: the messages you send (both the English you type and the invented-language version), the shared dictionary of invented words your conversations build, reactions, and any photos, videos, voice notes, or files you send.
Your connections: the people you connect with, connection requests, and anyone you block.
Contacts (only if you choose to scan): when you tap “Scan your contacts” on the Find Friends screen, and only after you grant permission, the app reads your device contacts to help you find friends who already use PrivateLingo. This happens on demand only — never in the background. To perform the match, we send only phone numbers (reduced to their last 10 digits) and lowercased email addresses to our backend to compare against the phone/email that existing users have added to their own profiles. Contact names and full contact records never leave your device, and the phone numbers and emails used for matching are not stored on our servers. Results are kept only in a local cache on your device.
Activity needed to run features: message read/delivery status, unread counts, language levels, word counts, and streak information (such as the days a conversation was active).
Calls: when you place a 1:1 audio or video call, the call audio and video are sent directly between you and the other person (peer-to-peer) and are not stored by us. We temporarily process the technical data needed to connect the call, and we keep a simple call-history entry in your chat.
Notifications: a push notification token so we can alert you to new messages and incoming calls.
Device permissions: with your permission, camera, microphone, photo library, and contacts access, used only for the features you choose to use (photos, videos, voice notes, calls, and finding friends).
How we use your information
To provide the Service: deliver your messages and calls, build and sync your invented language across devices, and show your dashboard, passport, levels, and streaks.
To keep accounts working: verify your email, send password-reset emails, and maintain your profile and connections.
To keep the Service safe: review reports, investigate abuse, and enforce our Terms.
To communicate with you about the Service.
Who your content is visible to
Your conversations and the invented language you build are private to you and the specific person you share them with. Private languages are not publicly searchable and are not shared with other users.
Important: PrivateLingo is not end-to-end encrypted. Because our servers translate your messages into your invented language and sync that language across your devices, your content is processed and stored on our infrastructure. Your data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and protected by our providers’ security, but we (and our providers) are technically able to access it. We access content only as needed to operate and secure the Service, to review reports, or to comply with the law.
How your information is stored and shared
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising. PrivateLingo does not currently use third-party analytics or advertising SDKs.
We rely on the following service providers (“processors”) to run the Service:
Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore database, Cloud Storage, and Cloud Functions): stores your account, messages, media, and other data on Google’s infrastructure.
Google Firebase Cloud Messaging and Expo: deliver push notifications, including incoming-call alerts.
Connectivity servers (STUN/TURN): help establish direct connections for calls.
We may also disclose information if required by law, to respond to legal process, to protect the rights, safety, and property of Daeyla, our users, or the public, or in connection with a business transfer.
Safety and moderation
You can block users and report messages or people from within the app. Reports are stored and reviewed, and we may remove content or suspend or terminate accounts that violate our Terms. To investigate reports or serious safety concerns, we may review relevant content.
Data retention and your choices
You can edit your profile, block or unfriend contacts, and control what you share at any time.
We keep your information while your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete your associated personal data, though limited copies may remain in routine backups for a short period or where we must retain them for legal reasons.
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, or to object to certain processing (for example, under the GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA). To make a request, email info@privatelingo.com. We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.
Security
We use industry-standard measures, including encryption in transit and access controls on our providers’ infrastructure, to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
International users
We operate in the United States, and your information is processed on servers that may be located in the United States or other countries. By using the Service, you understand your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date and, where appropriate, notify you in the app. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.