Privacy Policy

Last updated September 16, 2026

This policy explains what information VOA English Learning ("the app") collects, how it's used, and the choices you have. We built the app to work without an account, and we keep the amount of data we collect to what's needed to run the lessons, review, and subscription features.

Information stored on your device

The following stays on your device and is not sent to us as personal data:

• Learning profile. Your English level, topics, session-length preference, and weekly goal.
• Daily plans and progress. The lesson chosen for each day, playback position, and completion history.
• Dictionary and review data. Words you look up, words you save for review, and your spaced-repetition review schedule and history.
• Speaking-practice recordings. Recordings made in Shadow Mode or pronunciation practice are stored only in the app's local cache, are replaced each time you record again, and are deleted when you leave that mode. They are never uploaded anywhere.

Because this data stays on your device, it does not transfer automatically if you switch devices or reinstall the app, and we cannot recover it if it's lost.

Information we receive

• Lesson content. The app loads lesson metadata, transcripts, and audio/video from our content backend (Firebase) so lessons can be streamed and updated. This request does not include your profile, saved words, or recordings.
• Limited usage analytics. We collect a small, fixed set of anonymous event types — such as which media kind was played, a coarse duration band, and failure or recovery outcomes — to understand reliability and improve the app. These events never include transcript text, searched or saved words, recordings, recognized speech, lesson titles, or exact playback position.
• Purchases. Subscription purchases are processed by Apple through StoreKit. We receive confirmation that a purchase is active so the app can unlock the ad-free experience; we do not receive your payment details, which are handled entirely by Apple.

Microphone and speech recognition

The app requests microphone access only for pronunciation practice and Shadow Mode, and speech recognition access only to score pronunciation practice. Both are optional: declining leaves the rest of the app fully usable, and you can grant access later from your device's Settings. Recordings stay on your device as described above; speech recognition is provided by Apple's system Speech framework, subject to Apple's own privacy terms.

Advertising

Free use of VOA English Learning includes ads served through Google AdMob. AdMob may collect device and advertising identifiers to serve and measure ads, subject to Google's privacy policy. Upgrading to Plus removes ads. Onboarding, purchase screens, and immersive video playback never show ads.

Third-party services

• Firebase (Google) — content delivery and app analytics. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google AdMob — advertising for free users. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Apple StoreKit — subscription purchases and restoration. See Apple's Privacy Policy.
• Apple Speech framework — optional pronunciation scoring. See Apple's Privacy Policy.

Children's privacy

VOA English Learning is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Data retention and deletion

Since your profile, saved words, and progress live on your device, you can remove them at any time by deleting the app. To manage or cancel a subscription, use your device's App Store subscription settings. If you have questions about analytics data we hold, contact us using the details below.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the app changes. We'll update the date at the top of this page when we do.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data can be sent to support@vel.com.