Effective October 8, 2026

ChineseSteps Privacy Policy

ChineseSteps is a local-first learning app. It does not require an account, show advertising, track users, or automatically send learning data to the developer or an external server.

Information stored on the device

The app stores the words, example contexts, notes, learning level, and review history that the user adds or generates. This information stays on the user's device in the app's private storage and shared App Group container. The shared container lets the main app, its widget, and its Share extension work with the same learning data.

Clipboard and Share extension

The app reads text from the clipboard only after the user taps Paste. When the user chooses Copy draft & open email, it copies the complete feedback draft to the local clipboard so the user can paste it into an email app. The copied draft is not synced through Universal Clipboard. The Share extension receives only the text the user explicitly chooses to share with ChineseSteps. The app uses that text on the device and does not transmit it to the developer.

Feedback and support

Feedback is optional. When the user chooses to send an email, the developer receives the message, the sender's email address, any attachments the user chooses, and the app and iOS versions if included. The user can review the email before sending. The app does not automatically attach vocabulary, notes, review history, or screenshots, and does not send email automatically. Feedback may be retained to respond to the user and improve the app. To request deletion of feedback received by the developer, contact yhdads@gmail.com.

If the user opens our public feedback board, Fider processes information under its own privacy policy; posting or voting may require signing in, and submitted posts and comments are visible to others. Do not include private information in public posts. For a Fider account, use Fider's account and privacy controls.

Analytics and third parties

The app contains no third-party analytics, advertising, or tracking SDKs. It does not sell personal information. External feedback and email services process information under their own privacy policies.

Retention and deletion

Learning data remains on the user's device until the app's stored data is removed. Deleting ChineseSteps removes its local data when iOS removes the app and its associated shared container.

Changes to this policy

If the app's data practices change, this policy and the App Store privacy disclosure will be updated before the new practices take effect.

Contact

Questions about this policy can be submitted through the ChineseSteps support tracker.