Privacy Policy for Sparky
Last Updated: September 25, 2025
Introduction
Sparky ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our educational mobile application.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
- Nickname: Fun nickname chosen by the student (not their real name) for personalized learning experience
- Email Address: For account authentication and login purposes only (can be parent's email or child's Google account)
- Grade Level: To provide age-appropriate educational content
- Learning Preferences: To customize the learning experience
- Country and Curriculum: To align with local educational standards
Usage Information
- Learning Progress: XP points, streaks, and performance scores
- App Usage: Time spent learning, features used, and session data
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, and app version
Media Content
- Photos: Only when you choose to take photos for learning activities
- Audio: Voice recordings for speech-to-text learning features
- Text Input: Questions, answers, and chat messages
How We Use Your Information
Educational Purposes
- Personalized Learning: Customize content based on grade level and interests
- Progress Tracking: Monitor learning achievements and provide feedback
- Content Delivery: Serve appropriate educational materials and quizzes
- Parental Monitoring: Enable parents to track their child's learning progress
App Functionality
- AI Integration: Process questions and generate educational responses
- Image Analysis: Analyze photos for learning activities (when camera is used)
- Voice Processing: Convert speech to text for learning exercises
- Performance Analytics: Improve app features and educational content
Communication
- Account Management: Send important updates about your account
- Educational Updates: Notify about new features and learning opportunities
- Support: Respond to your questions and provide technical assistance
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We Do NOT Share Personal Information With:
- Third-party advertisers
- Data brokers
- Social media platforms
- Unauthorized third parties
Limited Sharing Only For:
- Educational Partners: Anonymous, aggregated data to improve educational content
- Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect rights
- Service Providers: Trusted partners who help us operate the app (under strict confidentiality)
Data Security
Protection Measures
- Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- Secure Storage: Information stored on secure, encrypted servers
- Access Controls: Limited access to authorized personnel only
- Regular Audits: Ongoing security assessments and updates
Data Retention
- Active Accounts: Data retained while account is active
- Inactive Accounts: Data deleted after 2 years of inactivity
- Parental Request: Data deleted upon parental request
Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
Special Protections for Children Under 13
This app is designed for children under 13 years of age. We are fully compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and require parental consent before collecting any information from children.
Parental Consent Required
Before your child can use this app, you must provide parental consent by checking the consent checkbox during the sign-up process. For detailed information about what data we collect and how we use it, please see our Parental Consent Information page.
- Parental Consent: Required before any data collection from children under 13
- Minimal Data Collection: Only collect necessary information for educational purposes
- No Behavioral Advertising: We do not use data for advertising purposes
- Parental Rights: Parents can review, modify, or delete their child's data at any time
- Secure Data Handling: All data is encrypted and protected
Parental Controls
- PIN Protection: Parents can set daily time limits
- Progress Monitoring: Parents can view learning progress
- Data Management: Parents can request data deletion
Your Rights and Choices
Access and Control
- View Data: Access your personal information
- Update Information: Modify your profile and preferences
- Delete Account: Request complete account deletion
- Data Portability: Export your learning data
Communication Preferences
- Email Settings: Control notification frequency
- Push Notifications: Enable or disable app notifications
- Marketing Communications: Opt out of promotional emails
Third-Party Services
AI Services
- Google Gemini: For educational content generation
- OpenAI: For advanced learning features
- Data Processing: AI services process data under strict privacy agreements
Analytics
- Usage Analytics: Anonymous data to improve app performance
- Crash Reporting: Technical data to fix bugs and issues
- No Personal Identification: Analytics data cannot identify individual users
Camera and Microphone Permissions
Camera Permission
- Purpose: Take photos for learning activities and image analysis
- Usage: Only when you actively choose to use camera features
- Storage: Photos are processed locally and not stored on our servers
- Sharing: Photos are never shared with third parties
Microphone Permission
- Purpose: Voice input for speech-to-text learning features
- Usage: Only when you choose to use voice features
- Processing: Audio is processed locally and not stored
- Privacy: Voice data is not transmitted to our servers
International Data Transfers
Data Processing
- Location: Data may be processed in different countries
- Protections: Adequate safeguards ensure data protection
- Compliance: We comply with applicable data protection laws
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Updates
- Notification: We will notify you of significant changes
- Review: Please review this policy periodically
- Effective Date: Changes take effect when posted
Contact for Changes
Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
Lawful Basis
- Consent: For educational content personalization
- Legitimate Interest: For app improvement and security
- Contract: For providing educational services
- Legal Obligation: For compliance with applicable laws
California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
Your Rights
- Right to Know: What personal information we collect
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of sale of personal information
- Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate for exercising rights
Additional Information
Data Minimization
We only collect data that is necessary for providing educational services and improving the app experience.
Transparency
We are committed to being transparent about our data practices and will answer any questions you may have.
Regular Reviews
This privacy policy is reviewed regularly and updated as needed to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws.