Privacy Policy — SoftSpeak

Section 01

Who we are

SoftSpeak is a mobile application developed and operated by Antwon Key ("SoftSpeak," "we," "us," or "our"). The app is distributed through the Apple App Store for iOS and iPadOS.

This Privacy Policy explains what information SoftSpeak collects, how we use it, and who we share it with. SoftSpeak operates from the United States, and your information may be processed there.

Section 02

Information we collect

What you provide

Message drafts: Text you enter into Soften or Tone Check. Drafts are sent to our AI partner (OpenAI) to generate a rewrite and are not stored on SoftSpeak's servers.
Support messages: If you email us, we receive your email address and the contents of your message.

What's collected automatically

Purchases: When you subscribe, Apple provides us with a transaction receipt so we can unlock paid features. This is tied to your Apple ID purchase history. We do not receive your name, email, or payment details from Apple.
Product interaction: Anonymous events describing which features you use and how often (for example, when you open a tab or complete a softening). Collected through Firebase Analytics.
Device identifier: A Firebase Installation ID — a non-resettable identifier scoped to this app install on this device. Used to group analytics and crash events from the same device. Not linked to your name or account, and not an advertising identifier (IDFA).
Crash diagnostics: If the app crashes, Firebase Crashlytics records the stack trace, device model, OS version, and app version. No message content is included.

        Stays on your device: Your softening history, kindness scores, streaks, coaching tips, and daily insights are stored locally using SwiftData. These are generated on-device using Apple's Foundation Models (Apple Intelligence) and never sent to SoftSpeak. If you enable iCloud sync in iOS Settings, this data syncs to your personal iCloud account — we still can't see it.
      

Section 03

How we use your information

To run the app and deliver the features you use (softening, tone check, history, insights).
To send your message drafts to OpenAI for rewriting and return results to you.
To unlock and manage your subscription through Apple's in-app purchase system.
To diagnose crashes and improve stability through Firebase Crashlytics.
To understand how features are used in aggregate through Firebase Analytics.
To protect the app from abuse using Apple's DeviceCheck via Firebase App Check.
To respond to you when you contact support.
To comply with applicable law.

We do not use your message drafts to train AI models. We do not use your information for advertising, targeted or otherwise. We do not build behavioral profiles linked to your identity.

Section 04

Message processing & AI

Cloud processing — message rewriting

When you tap Soften or Tone Check, the text of your draft is sent over an encrypted connection to OpenAI to generate a rewrite. This transmission is necessary to provide the feature.

SoftSpeak does not retain your drafts on its servers beyond the request. OpenAI's handling of API traffic is governed by OpenAI's API data policies (which, at the time of writing, state that data submitted through the API is not used to train their models by default).

Don't paste highly sensitive content: SoftSpeak is for everyday communication coaching. Do not paste message drafts containing things like Social Security numbers, bank or card details, passwords, or protected health information.

On-device processing — coaching & insights

Your softening history, daily coaching tips, and the insights shown in the Insights tab are generated on your device using Apple's Foundation Models. They are not transmitted to SoftSpeak or any third party.

Section 05

Data sharing

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share data only with the service providers below, and only for the purposes described:

OpenAI — receives your message drafts solely to generate rewrites.
Google (Firebase) — processes anonymous product analytics (Firebase Analytics), crash diagnostics (Firebase Crashlytics), and anti-abuse tokens (Firebase App Check) on our behalf.
Apple — handles in-app purchases and subscription management through the App Store and StoreKit, provides the on-device Foundation Models framework, and — if you enable it — syncs your on-device data via iCloud.
Legal & safety — we may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights or safety of SoftSpeak or its users.
Business transfers — if SoftSpeak is acquired or merged, user information may transfer as part of the transaction. We will notify users before any data becomes subject to a different policy.

Section 06

Data retention

Message drafts: Not stored on SoftSpeak servers. Retained by OpenAI only as described in their API data policies.
Subscription records: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to meet tax, accounting, and dispute-resolution obligations.
Product analytics: Retained by Firebase Analytics for up to 14 months by default.
Crash diagnostics: Retained by Firebase Crashlytics for up to 90 days.
Support correspondence: Retained for up to 3 years.

Data stored on your device (history, scores, streaks, coaching) is retained until you delete it in the app or uninstall SoftSpeak.

Section 07

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port personal information we hold about you.

In practice, the data we process is not linked to your identity — analytics events and crash logs are anonymous, and message drafts are never stored by us. If you submit a request, we will respond within 30 days, but in most cases we will have no data associated with you to retrieve or delete. You can delete everything stored on your device at any time from within the app.

If you contact support by email, that correspondence is the only information we hold that is linked to you. You can request we delete it by emailing [email protected].

California residents have rights under the CPRA including the right to know, delete, and opt out of sale/sharing. We do not sell personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

If you live in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, our legal bases under GDPR / UK GDPR are contract performance and legitimate interests (security and product improvement).

Section 08

Children's privacy

SoftSpeak is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have, contact [email protected] and we will delete it.

Section 09

Security

Traffic between the app and OpenAI, Firebase, and Apple is encrypted in transit using TLS.
On-device data is protected by iOS's built-in encryption and your device passcode or biometric lock.
Firebase App Check (using Apple's DeviceCheck) verifies that requests to our backend come from a legitimate install of the app.

No system is perfectly secure. If we become aware of a breach that materially affects you, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

Section 10

Third-party services

SoftSpeak relies on the following services. Each has its own privacy policy that governs how they handle data we send them:

OpenAI — cloud AI used to rewrite drafts. See openai.com/policies/privacy-policy.
Google Firebase — Analytics, Crashlytics, and App Check. See firebase.google.com/support/privacy.
Apple — App Store and StoreKit (subscriptions), Foundation Models (on-device AI), DeviceCheck (anti-abuse), and iCloud (optional sync). See apple.com/legal/privacy.

Section 11

Changes to this policy

When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, display a notice in the app. Continued use of SoftSpeak after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Section 12

Contact us

Questions or requests about this policy? Email [email protected].