Privacy Policy

Clarify — Ebook Reader with Comprehension Assistance
Last updated: September 3, 2026

1. Information We Collect

Data stored locally on your device:

• Books: EPUB files you import are copied to the app's private storage on your device.
• Reading progress: Current chapter, scroll position, and completion percentage for each book.
• Simplification cache: Previously simplified text passages are cached locally to avoid redundant processing.
• App preferences: Theme mode, font size, and auto-simplify settings.

Data sent to our servers:

• Text selections: When you use the Word Meaning, Simplify, or Explain features, the selected text and its surrounding context are sent to our server for AI processing. This data is not stored on our server after the response is returned.
• Book metadata: The book title and author name are sent alongside text selections to help the AI provide contextually accurate responses.
• Android early-access email: If you register on our website, we store the email address you submit and the time of registration. Providing an email is optional and is not required to use the iOS or iPadOS app.

Analytics and diagnostics data:

• We use Firebase Analytics to collect anonymous usage data such as which features are used, reading session duration, and general app interaction patterns.
• Firebase Crashlytics collects crash reports, stack traces, and limited device, operating-system, and app-version information so we can diagnose reliability problems.
• Firebase Performance collects app-start, network-timing, and device-performance information. Firebase documents that this includes IP addresses for geography-based performance segmentation.
• Our app events and diagnostics deliberately exclude selected book text, email addresses, IP addresses, credentials, and API keys.
• Clarify does not require an app account, so this data is not linked to an account identity. An Android waitlist email is stored separately when you choose to register on the website.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Providing AI features: Relevant text and book context are processed through Google Gemini or OpenRouter and its selected model provider to generate word definitions, simplifications, and explanations.
• Improving the app: Anonymous analytics help us identify popular features and areas for improvement.
• Maintaining functionality: Reading progress and preferences are stored to provide a seamless reading experience.
• Android early access: We use the email address you submit only to manage the waitlist and communicate about Android access.

3. Third-Party Services

Clarify uses the following third-party services:

• Google Gemini API: Processes some AI-powered comprehension requests. Relevant text is sent through our proxy server to Google. Google's privacy policy applies to its processing: https://policies.google.com/privacy
• OpenRouter and its model providers: Process some simplification and explanation requests. Relevant text is sent through our proxy server to OpenRouter and the selected model provider. OpenRouter's privacy policy applies to its processing: https://openrouter.ai/privacy/
• Firebase Analytics (Google): Collects anonymous usage statistics.
• Firebase Crashlytics (Google): Collects crash diagnostics so we can investigate app failures.
• Firebase Performance (Google): Collects app and network performance measurements so we can improve reliability.
• Firebase's privacy and data-processing information applies to these services: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

4. Data Retention

• Local data: Books, reading progress, and cached simplifications remain on your device until you delete a book or uninstall the app.
• Server-side: Our proxy server does not log or store the text you send for AI processing. Requests are forwarded to the applicable AI provider and discarded by our proxy after the response is returned.
• Android waitlist: Your registration email is retained while the Android waitlist is active, unless you ask us to delete it sooner.
• Analytics and diagnostics: Firebase retains analytics, crash, and performance data according to Google's standard retention policies.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties. Data is only shared with:

• Google Gemini: Selected text, solely for the purpose of providing AI comprehension features.
• OpenRouter and its model providers: Relevant text and context, solely for the purpose of providing AI comprehension features.
• Firebase Analytics: Anonymous usage data, solely for the purpose of app improvement.
• Firebase Crashlytics: Crash diagnostics, solely for diagnosing and fixing reliability issues.
• Firebase Performance: App and network performance data, solely for measuring and improving app performance.

6. Data Security

• All communication between the app and our server uses HTTPS encryption.
• Book files and reading data are stored in the app's sandboxed storage, accessible only to Clarify.
• Our proxy server does not store API keys on the client side — all AI API authentication is handled server-side.

7. Your Rights and Choices

• Delete your data: You can delete individual books (and their associated reading progress and cached simplifications) from the library screen. Uninstalling the app removes all local data.
• Delete a waitlist registration: Email hello@clarifybooks.app from the address you registered and ask us to remove it.
• Use offline: Core reading functionality works without an internet connection. AI features require connectivity but are entirely optional.
• Diagnostics: Clarify does not use advertising identifiers or track you across apps and websites. Firebase Analytics, Crashlytics, and Performance run only in release builds to help us improve the app.

8. Children's Privacy

Clarify is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Since the app reads user-imported EPUB files, parents and guardians should monitor the content children access through the app.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be reflected on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this privacy policy or your data, please contact us at:

Email: hello@clarifybooks.app