Privacy Policy

Who we are

This Privacy Policy applies to the SPARK mobile, tablet, and web applications. SPARK is operated by its founders, Shreyas Jain and Catelyn Dao.

Questions about this policy can be sent to contact@spark4speech.com.

The short version

• SPARK does not require an account.
• SPARK does not include advertising or third-party analytics.
• Your messages, vocabulary, settings, media, and learned predictions stay on your device unless you choose to export or share them.
• SPARK does not sell or share personal information for targeted advertising.

Information stored on your device

To provide its communication and customization features, SPARK stores data locally in the app or browser. Depending on how you use SPARK, this can include:

• draft messages, recently spoken messages, and saved phrases;
• profiles, settings, board layout, custom folders, words, phrases, labels, and pronunciations;
• photos, emoji choices, and voice recordings that you add to communication buttons;
• optional word-prediction patterns learned from complete messages spoken with the main Speak control; and
• tutorial and app-state preferences.

Private word-prediction learning

Word prediction works offline. If private learning is enabled, SPARK learns only from complete messages spoken with the main Speak control. Drafts, individual word taps, voice previews, and repeated speech are not used for learning.

The learned model stays on the device and can be reset in Settings. It is excluded from backups unless you explicitly choose to include it. Because a backup containing learned predictions may reveal language patterns, treat that file as private.

Camera, photos, microphone, and files

SPARK asks for camera, photo-library, or microphone access only when you choose a feature that needs it. Selected photos and recordings are copied into app-controlled local storage so they remain available offline. SPARK does not upload them to us.

SPARK uses the system file picker when you import a backup and the system share or download interface when you export one. SPARK receives only the file you select.

When information leaves your device

SPARK does not automatically transmit communication content to us. Information leaves the app only when you choose an operating-system or browser action such as exporting a backup, copying text, downloading a file, or sharing content with another app or service. The destination you choose has its own privacy practices.

Backups are plain JSON files and can contain sensitive communication content and custom media. You control where they are stored and shared. Deleting data inside SPARK does not delete copies you previously exported.

Web hosting data

The public web version is hosted by Vercel. Like most hosting providers, Vercel may process technical request information needed to deliver and protect the site, such as IP address, approximate location derived from IP, browser and device information, requested URL, timestamps, and security or performance logs. SPARK does not add an analytics tracker or advertising tracker to the app, and communication content remains in browser storage rather than being sent to a SPARK server.

Vercel processes hosting data under its own privacy notice and its agreement with the SPARK project.

Support messages

If you email us, we receive the information you choose to send, such as your email address, message, and attachments. We use it to respond, investigate issues, protect SPARK, and keep reasonable support records. Do not send communication boards, backups, or other sensitive content unless it is necessary and you are comfortable sharing it.

Children and users of all ages

SPARK is designed for users of different ages and abilities. The app does not ask for an age, create user accounts, or knowingly collect communication content from children. A parent, guardian, teacher, caregiver, or other responsible adult should supervise device permissions, backups, and external sharing when appropriate.

If you believe a child sent personal information to us through support email, contact us and we will review and delete it when legally required.

Retention, deletion, and your choices

Local data remains until you delete or reset it, uninstall the native app, or clear the web browser's site data. Settings includes separate controls to reset learned predictions and restore board or vocabulary content. Browser and operating-system settings control camera, photo, and microphone permissions.

Support email and hosting records are retained only as reasonably needed for support, security, legal obligations, and operation of the service. You may contact us to ask about personal information that the SPARK project itself holds about you. In most cases, we will not have your locally stored communication data because it never reached us.

Security

SPARK minimizes risk by keeping communication content local and not requiring an account. No storage method is perfectly secure. Protect your device with its security features, keep private backups in a safe place, and be careful when sharing content.

Changes and contact

We may update this policy when SPARK's features or legal obligations change. We will change the effective date and provide additional notice when appropriate. Material changes will not retroactively turn local data into remotely collected data without notice and any consent required by law.

Contact: contact@spark4speech.com