Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Listening Check is an app developed and published by SparkMinds, Inc., a company dedicated to supporting families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. SparkMinds, Inc. is the data controller responsible for any information handled in connection with this app.

• Company: SparkMinds, Inc.
• Contact: privacy@sparkminds.co
• Website: sparkminds.co

2. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the Listening Check iOS app ("the App"). It describes what information the App handles, how it is stored, what it is used for, and the rights available to you as a user.

This policy applies to all users of the App, including caregivers, parents, and any professional using the App on behalf of a child.

3. Data We Collect

The App collects only the minimum information required to function. All data is stored locally on your device and is never transmitted to SparkMinds or any third party.

Information you enter directly

Automatically collected information

The App does not automatically collect analytics, crash reports, usage statistics, or any device identifiers. No telemetry data is transmitted from the App.

4. Data We Do Not Collect

The following categories of data are explicitly not collected by the App:

• Audio recordings of any kind (voice, sounds, or environmental audio)
• Video or camera data
• Location data
• Device identifiers (IDFA, IDFV, or similar)
• Crash logs or diagnostics sent to SparkMinds
• Usage analytics or behavioral telemetry
• Health or medical records
• Payment information (purchases are handled entirely by Apple)
• Contacts, calendars, or any other app data on your device
• Facial recognition or biometric data

5. Children Under 13 (COPPA)

Listening Check is designed to be used by caregivers to support children, including children under 13. The App is operated by and for the caregiver — not directly by the child.

How we handle children's information

• The App may store a child's first name, age band, hearing technology type, and listening session results at the caregiver's direction.
• This information is stored exclusively on the caregiver's device. It is never transmitted to SparkMinds or any third party.
• SparkMinds does not have access to, and cannot retrieve, any child information entered into the App.
• No child's information is used for advertising, profiling, or any purpose beyond the caregiver's personal use of the App.

Parental consent and control

Because the App is operated by caregivers and all data remains on the caregiver's own device, SparkMinds does not collect information from or about children within the meaning of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Caregivers retain full control over all data through the App's profile management and deletion features.

If you are a caregiver and wish to delete all information associated with a child's profile, you may do so at any time within the App. See Section 10 for instructions.

6. Microphone Use

The App requests access to your device's microphone for one specific purpose: to provide real-time relative voice-level guidance during listening check sessions.

What the microphone does

When you run a guided listening check, the App uses the microphone to monitor ambient and speech sound levels and display a simple qualitative indicator (too soft / target range / too loud). This helps caregivers present sounds consistently across sessions.

What the microphone does not do

• The App does not record audio.
• No audio is stored on the device or transmitted anywhere.
• The microphone is not active outside of guided check sessions.
• The App does not use voice recognition, speaker identification, or any form of audio analysis beyond relative level estimation.

7. Local Storage

All data entered into the App is stored locally on your iPhone using Apple's SwiftData framework. This data is included in your device's standard iOS backup (iCloud Backup or iTunes/Finder backup) unless you have disabled backups for this App.

SparkMinds does not operate any servers that receive, store, or process data from the App. There is no account registration, cloud sync, or remote storage in the current version of the App.

If you delete the App from your device, all locally stored data will be permanently deleted. We recommend exporting any session history you wish to retain before uninstalling.

8. Third-Party Services

The App does not integrate with third-party analytics providers, advertising networks, social media SDKs, or crash-reporting services.

Apple services

App purchases and trial management are handled by Apple's StoreKit framework. SparkMinds does not receive your payment details. Apple's handling of purchase transactions is governed by Apple's Privacy Policy.

If you use iCloud Backup, your device backup (including this App's local data) is stored in iCloud under Apple's terms. SparkMinds has no access to iCloud backups.

No data sharing or sale

SparkMinds does not sell, rent, license, or share any personal information with third parties for commercial purposes. We do not share data with data brokers, advertisers, or research organizations.

9. Your Rights

Because all data is stored locally on your device and SparkMinds does not receive or retain any personal information, most privacy rights (access, portability, correction, restriction) are exercisable directly through the App or by managing your device.

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have additional rights including:

• California (CCPA/CPRA): The right to know, delete, and opt out of sale of personal information. SparkMinds does not sell personal information.
• European Economic Area (GDPR): The rights of access, erasure, portability, and objection. Because SparkMinds does not process your data on its own systems, these rights are exercised through your device controls.
• Other jurisdictions: We respect applicable local privacy laws. Contact us at privacy@sparkminds.co if you have questions about your specific rights.

10. Deleting Your Data

You have full control over all data stored by the App.

To delete a child profile and all associated sessions

Go to Settings → Child Profiles within the App, select the profile, and choose Delete Profile. This permanently removes all session history, LTL progress, and notes associated with that child.

To delete all App data

Delete the Listening Check app from your iPhone. This permanently removes all locally stored data. This action cannot be undone.

To request confirmation of deletion

Since SparkMinds does not receive your data, there is no server-side deletion required. If you have questions, contact us at privacy@sparkminds.co.

11. Security

Data is stored using Apple's SwiftData framework and protected by your device's built-in security features, including hardware encryption when your device is locked.

SparkMinds recommends using a device passcode or biometric lock to protect access to the App and the data it stores. We do not implement additional in-app authentication in the current version.

Because data never leaves your device (except through your standard iOS backup), the primary security risk is unauthorized physical access to your device.

12. Changes to This Policy

SparkMinds may update this Privacy Policy as the App evolves — for example, if a future version introduces optional cloud sync or clinician-sharing features. Any material changes will be communicated through an in-app notice and an updated effective date on this page.

Continued use of the App after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy. If you do not agree with a change, you may delete the App and all associated data at any time.

We will not introduce data collection practices that materially expand the scope of this policy without providing clear prior notice and, where required by law, obtaining consent.