Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Welcome to Aloudly, a product of Quantops, Inc. ("Aloudly," "we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Aloudly text-to-speech application for macOS (the "Application" or "Service"). Please read this Privacy Policy carefully.
By using Aloudly, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password.
- Payment Information: When you subscribe to our paid plans, we collect payment information through our third-party payment processor (Stripe). We do not store your full credit card information on our servers.
- Profile Information: Any additional information you choose to provide in your profile, such as preferences and settings.
- Communication Data: Information you provide when you contact our support team, including email correspondence and support tickets.
2.2 Information Automatically Collected
- Usage Data: We collect information about how you interact with the Application, including features used, text converted to speech, character usage, audio generation requests, and session duration.
- Device Information: We collect information about your Mac device, including operating system version, device type, unique device identifiers, and system configuration.
- Audio Preferences: We track your voice selections, playback speed preferences, and audio library organization.
- Analytics Data: We use analytics tools to collect information about Application performance, crashes, errors, and user behavior patterns.
2.3 Text Content
- Processed Text: We temporarily process the text you select for conversion to speech. This text is sent to our third-party voice AI providers for processing.
- Audio Library: If you save audio files to your library, we store metadata about these files (title, duration, creation date) and the audio files themselves.
- Podcast Content: When you use our podcast generation feature, we process and store the content you provide to generate podcast-style conversations.
- Q&A Interactions: Questions you ask and the content context for our Interactive Voice Q&A feature are processed to generate responses.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Service Delivery: To provide, operate, and maintain the Aloudly Application and its features, including text-to-speech conversion, podcast generation, and voice Q&A.
- Character Usage Tracking: To monitor your monthly character usage against your subscription plan limits and notify you when approaching limits.
- Account Management: To manage your account, process payments, and provide customer support.
- Service Improvement: To understand how users interact with our Application, identify bugs, and improve features and user experience.
- Communication: To send you service-related notifications, updates, security alerts, and support messages.
- Personalization: To customize your experience, including remembering your voice preferences and playback settings.
- Analytics and Research: To analyze usage patterns, conduct research, and develop new features and services.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms of service, and protect the rights and safety of our users.
4. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services
We share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
4.1 Voice AI Providers
- OpenAI: Processes text to generate speech using OpenAI voices.
- Microsoft Azure: Processes text to generate speech using Azure Cognitive Services voices.
- Deepgram: Processes text to generate speech using Deepgram AI voices.
- Cartesia: Processes text to generate speech using Cartesia AI voices.
- Data Shared: Text content selected for conversion, voice selection preferences, and audio generation parameters.
- Purpose: To generate high-quality text-to-speech audio for our users.
4.2 Payment Processing
- Stripe: Processes subscription payments and manages billing information.
- Data Shared: Name, email address, payment method information.
- Purpose: To process payments and manage subscriptions securely.
4.3 Analytics and Performance
- Analytics Providers: We use analytics services to understand application usage and performance.
- Data Shared: Usage statistics, device information, and anonymized behavioral data.
- Purpose: To improve application performance and user experience.
4.4 Other Disclosures
We may also disclose your information in the following circumstances:
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process.
- Safety and Security: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Aloudly, our users, or the public.
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
- With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share your information for a specific purpose.
5. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Our security practices include:
- Encryption: We use encryption for data transmission (TLS/SSL) and secure storage of sensitive information.
- Access Controls: We restrict access to personal information to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions.
- Secure Infrastructure: Our servers and databases are hosted on secure, professionally managed infrastructure.
- Regular Security Audits: We regularly review and update our security practices to address emerging threats.
- Third-Party Security: We carefully vet our third-party service providers to ensure they maintain appropriate security standards.
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specific retention periods include:
- Account Data: Retained for the duration of your active account and for a reasonable period after account closure to comply with legal obligations.
- Usage Data: Typically retained for 24 months for analytics purposes, after which it is aggregated or deleted.
- Processed Text: Text sent for speech conversion is processed in real-time and not permanently stored on our servers. Third-party AI providers may retain data according to their own policies.
- Audio Library: Audio files and metadata are retained until you delete them or close your account.
- Payment Records: Retained as required by law for tax and financial reporting purposes.
When we no longer need your information, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.
7. Your Rights and Choices
You have certain rights regarding your personal information. Depending on your location, these rights may include:
7.1 Access and Portability
- Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Data Portability: You can request your data in a structured, commonly used format for transfer to another service.
7.2 Correction and Deletion
- Right to Correction: You can update or correct inaccurate information through your account settings or by contacting us.
- Right to Deletion: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
7.3 Opt-Out and Restriction
- Marketing Communications: You can opt out of promotional emails by clicking the unsubscribe link or adjusting your communication preferences.
- Data Processing: You can object to certain processing activities or request restriction of how we use your data.
7.4 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@aloudly.ai. We will respond to your request within 30 days. You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority in your jurisdiction.
8. Children's Privacy
Aloudly is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@aloudly.ai. If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it.
Users between the ages of 13 and 18 must have parental or guardian consent before using the Application.
9. International Data Transfers
Aloudly is based in the United States, and your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.
These countries may have data protection laws that differ from your home country. By using Aloudly, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and other countries.
We take appropriate measures to ensure your information receives adequate protection in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including through the use of standard contractual clauses or other approved transfer mechanisms.
9.1 GDPR Compliance (European Users)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and Switzerland, we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide our services under our Terms of Service.
- Legitimate Interests: For purposes such as improving our services, analytics, and fraud prevention.
- Legal Obligations: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.
- Consent: When you have provided explicit consent for specific processing activities.
9.2 CCPA Compliance (California Users)
For California residents, we comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Under the CCPA, you have specific rights including:
- Right to Know: The categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect.
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will:
- Update the "Effective Date" at the top of this Privacy Policy
- Notify you via email or through a prominent notice in the Application
- Provide you an opportunity to review the changes before they take effect
Your continued use of Aloudly after the effective date of an updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
12. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Quantops, Inc. (Aloudly)
We are committed to addressing your privacy concerns and will respond to all inquiries within 30 days. For urgent matters, please mark your email subject line with "URGENT - Privacy Request."
We Take Privacy Seriously
GDPR Compliant
Full compliance with EU data protection regulations
CCPA Compliant
California Consumer Privacy Act protections
Secure Infrastructure
Industry-standard encryption and security
Privacy in a Nutshell
We collect only what we need to provide you with the best audio learning experience. Your text and audio remain private. We never sell your data. You can delete your information anytime.