Tono is a translation and language-learning app. This policy explains what information the app handles and where it goes. The short version: your translations pass through our servers to an AI provider and are not stored there; your library lives on your device; we don't run ads, we don't track you across apps, and we never sell data.
What we collect
Account. You sign in with Apple. We store the account identifier and email address Apple provides (which may be a private relay address) so your subscription and usage can be tied to you.
Content you submit for translation. Phrases you type, context you provide, photos you take of text, and transcriptions of speech are sent to our servers and forwarded to our AI provider (currently Google's Gemini API) to produce the translation. We do not store this content on our servers — it passes through to produce your answer. Our AI provider processes it under its own terms, including Google's API data-use policy.
Speech. Turning speech into text happens on your device using Apple's speech recognition. Audio never leaves your phone; only the resulting text is sent for translation, and only when you ask for one.
Your library. Translation history, scripts, and starred phrases are stored locally on your device, not on our servers. If you turn on conversation saving in Talk (off by default), full transcripts — including the other person's words — are also kept on your device only, with a visible indicator while saving is on, until you delete them.
Usage counts. We record how many translations your account makes per day — this enforces the free allowance and helps us understand load. Counts only; not the content.
Subscriptions. Purchases are processed by Apple; we never see your payment details. We use RevenueCat to manage subscription status, which processes your Apple transaction identifiers under its own privacy policy.
What we don't do
- No advertising, and no advertising identifiers.
- No tracking across other companies' apps or websites.
- No sale of any data, ever.
A note on other people
Tono's conversation features can transcribe what someone speaking another language says to you. That transcription is processed the same way as anything else you translate — on-device speech recognition, text sent for translation, not stored by us. Please be considerate about using these features where recording assistance is inappropriate.
Deleting your data
Delete your account any time in the app (profile → Delete account). This permanently removes your account, email, usage records, and any server-side data. Your on-device library is deleted with it. Canceling a subscription is separate and handled through your Apple account settings.
Changes and contact
If this policy changes materially we'll note it in the app. Questions: howard.d.kim@gmail.com.