This Privacy Policy explains how Kunxu Zhang ("we", "us"), the operator of the website chnplaza.com and the publisher of the ChinesePlaza mobile application (the "App"), collects, uses, and shares information when you use the App.
By using the App, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information we collect
Information you provide
| Category | What we collect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Account information | Email address, username, and a user ID assigned when you create an account. If you sign in with Google or Facebook, we also receive the basic profile and email those services share with us. | To create and secure your account, sign you in, and keep your progress consistent across devices and reinstalls |
| Profile information | Display name, avatar, bio, interests, birthday, and any other details you choose to add | To personalise the App and show your profile to the people you connect with |
| User content | Posts, comments, photos, voice messages, stickers, private messages, and the friends you connect with | To provide the App's learning, album, chat, and social features |
| Support communications | The content of messages you send us for help | To respond to your request |
Information collected automatically
| Category | What we collect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Learning and usage data | Lesson progress, quiz results, check-ins, bamboo and XP changes, and app opens | To record and personalise your learning progress, and to understand how the App is used |
| Device and technical data | Device model, operating system and App version, language, IP address, and a device identifier | That identifier is a random value we store in the device keychain, so it survives reinstalling the App. Together with Apple's identifierForVendor, it keeps your account and purchases consistent across reinstalls. |
| Location (optional) | Coarse location, used for the in-App weather card and for adding a city tag to a post. The coordinates you request weather for are recorded on our servers. | To show local weather and to tag posts with a city |
| Camera, photos, microphone and speech (all optional) | Camera and photo access for avatars and post images; microphone and speech recognition for pronunciation practice, voice messages and voice input | To provide those features, which run only while you are using them |
| Purchases | If you subscribe or buy bamboo, Apple processes the payment. We receive your subscription status and renewal date, never your card details. | To deliver what you paid for and to restore it on your other devices |
2. How we use your information
- To provide, operate and improve the App's Chinese-learning features
- To record and personalise your learning progress
- To keep your account, bamboo and membership consistent across your devices and reinstalls
- To create and manage your account and authenticate you
- To enable the social features you choose to use, such as adding friends and exchanging messages
- To review reports and enforce our community rules
- To respond to your support requests
- To understand how the App is used so we can fix bugs and improve it
- To send you essential service notifications — we do not send marketing messages without your consent
- To detect, prevent and address technical issues, abuse or security incidents
- To comply with legal obligations
We do not sell your personal information.
3. Service providers we share data with
We use the following third-party service providers. Each one receives only the data needed for the purpose listed, and is contractually restricted from using it for its own purposes.
| Provider | Purpose | Data involved |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase (Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Cloud Storage, Analytics, App Check) | Account authentication; database and file storage; usage analytics; protection against abuse | Account information, profile information, user content, learning and usage data, device and technical data |
| Google Sign-In and Facebook Login (only if you choose them) | Signing you in; they share your basic profile and email address with us | Account information |
| Apple (In-App Purchase, Sign in with Apple, speech recognition, push notifications) | Processing your payments; on-device speech recognition; delivering notifications you have opted into | Purchase status and renewal date, device token. Speech you dictate is processed on your device. |
| Cloudflare Workers and Resend | A mail relay that delivers abuse reports to our moderation inbox | The content of the report you submit |
| A third-party AI provider (large-language-model API) | Generating replies in the Panda AI chat from the text you type | The text you type in that chat — see section 4 |
We may also disclose information if required by law, to enforce our terms, or to protect the rights, property or safety of our users or others.
4. AI features
- Please do not enter sensitive personal information in AI chats.
- AI replies may be inaccurate, incomplete or unexpected. They are for language practice only and are not professional advice.
- We may review or filter AI conversations for safety and quality, and we may remove content that breaks our rules.
5. When we share information
We do not trade your personal information.
Data is disclosed only: to the service providers listed above; when required by law or valid legal process; or when necessary to protect the safety of our users.
Some of the content you create is visible to others by design — your posts, comments and profile are public inside the App, and the messages you send are visible to their recipients.
6. Data retention
We retain your information for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymise your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal, tax or security purposes.
Content you have shared with other users may remain visible to them until it is deleted from their own devices or accounts.
7. Your rights and choices
Account deletion
You can delete your account at any time:
- In the App: go to Profile → Settings → Account → Delete Account
- By email: write to us at support@chnplaza.com and we will process your request
Permissions
You can revoke camera, photo, microphone, speech and location access at any time in iOS Settings — the related features simply stop working.
Other rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your information
- Object to or restrict certain processing
- Request a portable copy of your data
- Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@chnplaza.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
California residents (CCPA/CPRA)
We do not sell or share your personal information as those terms are defined under California law. California residents may contact us to exercise their rights under the CCPA/CPRA.
EEA, UK and Switzerland (GDPR)
Where we process your information, we rely on the following legal bases: performance of a contract (providing the App), legitimate interests (keeping the App secure and improving it), consent (where required, such as for notifications), and compliance with legal obligations.
8. International data transfers
Our service providers, including Google Firebase, may store and process your information on servers located outside your country of residence, including in the United States. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses for these transfers.
9. Security
We use industry-standard measures, including encryption in transit and access controls that limit who can read what, to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children's privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13, and you must be at least 13 to create an account. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children below that age. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you in the App.