Privacy Policy

Que Tal? - Learn Spanish (the "App") · Sham Studios · Last updated: 16 October 2026

This policy explains what information the App uses and why. Sham Studios, based in the United Kingdom, is the controller of your information. Contact: sfnfretail@gmail.com.

What we collect, in short

Information stored on your device

Your lessons, progress, streaks, hearts, settings and quiz high scores are stored locally on your device. If you do not sign in, they stay only there. If you sign in, your learning progress is also backed up to your account (see below). Speech recognition and text-to-speech use your device's built-in services. Reminder notifications are scheduled on your device. The microphone is used only while you are practising speaking. We do not store your audio or receive it ourselves. However, the speech recognition built into your device (Google's on Android, Apple's on iOS) may send the audio to that provider to turn it into text, under its own privacy policy.

Account, progress backup and leaderboards

You can optionally sign in with Google or Apple (via Firebase Authentication). We receive a unique account ID and, if you share them, your name and email address from Google or Apple. We do not use or show your profile photo; if you sign in with Google, the web address of that photo may be kept in your account record by Firebase Authentication. If you play quizzes while signed in, your display name and best score for each month are stored in Firebase Cloud Firestore (hosted in London, UK) and are visible to other signed-in users on the monthly leaderboard. Monthly leaderboard entries are not used for anything else.

Progress backup. While you are signed in, the App backs up your learning progress to Firebase Cloud Firestore (hosted in London, UK) under your account ID so you can restore it after reinstalling the App or on another device. The backup contains: which lessons and steps you have completed and your scores; your vocabulary review history (which words you have seen, how you answered and when each is due for review); your streak and the days you practised; badges earned; stories completed; speaking and quiz progress and high scores; your daily goal settings and progress; your hearts; your display name and avatar colour; and your progress in the regional packs. Settings that belong to the device (theme, sound, haptics and reminders) and advertising data are not backed up. Only your signed-in account can read your backup. Other users cannot see it, and we do not use it for advertising or analytics. If this device already has progress when you first sign in to an account that has a backup, the App asks whether to combine the two or use only the account's progress. When you sign out, the App first backs up your latest progress and then removes it from the device, so the next person who uses the App starts fresh; it comes back when you sign in again. Resetting your progress in Settings while signed in also resets your backup.

Reports. You can report a player (for example an offensive name) or hide them from your own leaderboards using the menu beside their entry; reports are sent by email to us and we may remove the entry or account.

Advertising

The free version shows ads served by Google AdMob. AdMob may use your device's advertising identifier, approximate location (derived from your IP address) and information about how you interact with ads to show personalised ads and to measure them. This can involve tracking across apps and websites owned by other companies. Premium subscribers do not see ads. In regions where consent is required (such as the EEA, UK and some US states) you are asked for your choice, and you can change it at any time in Settings. On iOS, tracking only happens if you allow it in the system prompt, and you can change that at any time in iOS Settings. Learn more at policies.google.com/technologies/ads.

Analytics

We use Google Firebase Analytics to understand how the App is used and to improve it, for example which activities are completed, how many ads are shown and whether a free trial is started. It uses a random app-instance identifier and your device type; the events do not include your name, email address or the content you type. The data is processed by Google on our behalf and is not used to identify you. In regions where consent is required (such as the EEA, UK and some US states), analytics is only switched on if you agree in the same consent prompt used for ads, and you can change that choice at any time in Settings.

Purchases

Premium subscriptions are processed by Apple or Google. We use RevenueCat to check your subscription status. RevenueCat receives your account ID (or an anonymous ID), purchase receipts and device information. Subscriptions include a free trial for new subscribers and renew automatically until you cancel in your App Store or Google Play account. We never see your payment details.

Abuse protection and diagnostics

We use Firebase App Check to verify that requests come from a genuine copy of the App. This involves device or app-integrity signals processed by Google Play Integrity (Android) or Apple App Attest / DeviceCheck (iOS). We do not use a separate crash-reporting service; basic diagnostic data (such as request errors and device type) is received by the Firebase, AdMob and RevenueCat services described above.

Service providers

Google (Firebase, AdMob), RevenueCat, Apple and Google Play. Each processes data under its own privacy policy and our agreements with them. We do not sell your personal information. Some of these providers are located outside the UK and EEA (for example in the United States); where that happens they rely on safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or an adequacy decision.

Retention and deletion

Local data stays on your device until you delete the App or sign out. Account, progress backup and leaderboard data is kept while your account exists. To delete your account, your progress backup and your leaderboard entries, use the delete option in the App's Settings (when signed in) or email sfnfretail@gmail.com and we will delete it within 30 days.

Children

The App is intended for people aged 13 and over. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us information, email us and we will delete it.

How we use your information

To run the App and your account, including backing up and restoring your progress (performance of our contract with you), to show ads and measure them (your consent, where required), to understand how the App is used and improve it (our legitimate interests, or your consent where required), to verify and protect the App against abuse (our legitimate interests), and to meet legal obligations.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete or export your data, to object to its use, or to withdraw consent at any time. Email us to exercise these rights. If you are in the UK or EEA you can also complain to your data protection authority (in the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office, ico.org.uk).

Changes

We may update this policy and will change the date above when we do.