Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Talkativ. This Privacy Policy explains how Talkativ ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our voice dictation software and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using Talkativ, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address - For account identification and communication
• Display name - For personalization within the app
• Authentication credentials - Managed securely through Google OAuth 2.0

2.2 Voice and Transcription Data

• Voice recordings - Captured when you use dictation, transmitted securely to our transcription service, and processed to convert speech to text. Voice recordings are NOT permanently stored by default.
• Failed audio samples (opt-in only) - If you enable "Share Failed Audio Samples" in Settings > Privacy & Data, we may collect audio clips when transcription fails for debugging purposes. This is completely optional and OFF by default. When enabled, failed audio samples are stored securely and automatically deleted after 30 days. This data is never used for AI training.
• Transcription text - The text output from your dictation is saved to your account history so you can review past dictations. You can delete individual transcriptions or all transcription logs at any time.

2.3 User Content

• Custom dictionary entries - Words, names, and terms you add to improve transcription accuracy
• Smart Edits - AI-transformed text drafts created through our Smart Edits feature (preset writing style transformations)
• Genius Mode transformations - AI-transformed text created through custom voice commands

2.4 Subscription and Payment Information

• Subscription tier - Free, Pro, or Max
• Payment information - Processed securely by Stripe (we do not store your full credit card details)

2.5 Usage Data and Analytics

• Product usage data - Features used, frequency of use, session duration
• Technical data - Device type, operating system version, app version
• Performance data - Error logs and crash reports

Analytics Consent: Personalized analytics is enabled by default but can be disabled in Settings > Privacy & Data. When disabled, we still collect anonymous aggregate usage data for product improvement.

Failed Audio Samples: Sharing failed audio samples for debugging is OFF by default. You must explicitly opt in from Settings > Privacy & Data to enable this feature.

Usage Recordings: To find the places where the app is confusing, we record an anonymised playback of how you move around it — which screens you open, what you click, and where you get stuck. Your words are never part of this. Everything you type or dictate is hidden on your own computer before the recording is sent, including passwords, the contents of any text box, and the text of your dictations and notes. Recordings never include your audio. You can turn this off at any time in Settings > Privacy & Data (“Share Usage Recordings”), and turning it off stops recording immediately.

2.6 Information We Do NOT Collect

• Biometric data (voice prints, speaker identification)
• Location data
• Browsing history
• Contacts or address book
• Content of other applications
• Screenshots or screen recordings

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

3.1 To Provide the Service

• Convert your speech to text using AI transcription
• Store your transcription history for later access
• Apply custom dictionary entries for improved accuracy
• Transform text using Genius Mode and Smart Edits (Max tier)
• Manage your account and subscription

3.2 To Improve the Service

• Analyze usage patterns to understand how features are used
• Identify and fix bugs and technical issues
• Develop new features based on user needs
• Optimize performance and user experience

3.3 To Communicate With You

• Send transactional emails (account confirmations, password resets)
• Notify you of important service updates or changes
• Respond to your support requests
• Send marketing emails (only if you opt in)

3.4 To Ensure Security and Compliance

• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Third-Party Data Processors

We work with trusted third-party service providers to deliver our Service. These processors have access to your data only to perform specific tasks on our behalf and are obligated to protect your information.

Service Provider	Purpose	Data Shared
Google Firebase	Authentication, database, hosting	Account info, transcriptions, custom dictionary
DeepInfra	Speech-to-text transcription (Whisper)	Voice recordings (processed in-memory, not stored)
OpenAI	AI text transformation (Genius Mode & Smart Edits)	Selected text, voice commands
Stripe	Payment processing	Email, payment information
Mailgun	Transactional email	Email address
PostHog	Product analytics and anonymised usage recordings	Usage events (anonymized); screen playback with all typed and dictated text masked before it leaves your device

Important: Your data is NOT used to train AI models. Neither we nor our third-party processors use your voice recordings or transcriptions for AI training purposes.

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Where Your Data is Stored

Your data is primarily stored in the United States using Google Firebase's infrastructure. All data is encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption.

5.2 How We Protect Your Data

• Encryption in transit: All data transmitted between your device and our servers uses TLS 1.3 encryption
• Encryption at rest: Data stored in our databases is encrypted using industry-standard AES-256
• Secure authentication: Google OAuth 2.0 with PKCE for account security
• API security: Firebase App Check and authenticated endpoints prevent unauthorized access
• Secret management: All API keys and secrets are stored securely in Firebase Secret Manager

5.3 Data Retention

• Voice recordings: Not retained by default - processed and immediately discarded
• Failed audio samples: Only collected if you opt in. Automatically deleted after 30 days
• Transcription text: Stored until you delete it or your account is deleted
• Account information: Stored until you delete your account
• Trial history: Email addresses of users who activate free trials are retained to prevent abuse, even after account deletion
• Analytics data: Subject to our analytics provider's retention policies (PostHog)

6. Your Rights and Controls

6.1 Access Your Data

You can view all your transcription history, custom dictionary entries, and Smart Edits directly in the app.

6.2 Delete Your Data

You have full control to delete your data:

• Individual transcriptions: Delete from the Home page
• All transcription logs: Bulk delete from Settings > Privacy & Data
• Custom dictionary entries: Delete individually from Vocabulary settings
• Smart Edits: Delete individually from Smart Edits history
• Entire account: Permanently delete your account from Settings > Privacy & Data (removes all data, voice logs, and authentication)

6.3 Export Your Data

You can request a copy of your data by contacting us at [email protected]. We will provide your data in a portable format (JSON/CSV).

6.4 Control Analytics and Error Collection

• Personalized Analytics: Disable in Settings > Privacy & Data. When disabled, we only collect anonymous aggregate data.
• Failed Audio Samples: This is OFF by default. You must explicitly opt in from Settings > Privacy & Data to share failed audio clips for debugging. You can disable it at any time.

6.5 Opt Out of Marketing

Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email or by updating your preferences in Settings.

7. GDPR and International Users

7.1 GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
• Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to restrict processing: Limit how we use your data
• Right to data portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected].

7.2 CCPA Compliance (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know: What personal information we collect and how it's used
• Right to delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to opt-out: We do NOT sell your personal information
• Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights

8. Children's Privacy

Talkativ is not intended for use by children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover that we have collected data from a child, we will delete it immediately. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at [email protected].

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by email or through a prominent notice in the app. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised.

Your continued use of Talkativ after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.