Laowai Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 30, 2026
This policy explains how Laowai processes data when you use its offline Chinese dictionary, texts, lists, study tools, widgets, reminders, account features, and cloud sync.
At a glance
- The dictionary, character data, and core search run locally and work offline.
- We do not sell personal data, use IDFA, or use your data for advertising tracking.
- Account details and your study content are used only to provide app features.
- Firebase Analytics may collect product interactions, a device or installation identifier, and coarse location that are not linked to your identity.
- Cloud sync is optional and is used to move your learning data between your devices.
Data linked to you
If you sign in or use cloud features, Laowai may process:
- your email address and user identifier for sign-in, account management, and sync;
- user content such as word lists, texts, favorites, study progress, review settings, and imported learning material.
Analytics data not linked to you
We may use Firebase Analytics to understand reliability and feature usage. It is not used for advertising tracking. It may include:
- product interactions, such as opening a section, starting a study session, or using sync and widgets;
- a device or installation identifier used for technical analytics;
- coarse location, such as country or region, when made available by Firebase Analytics.
Local storage and on-device processing
The offline dictionary, character database, settings, and learning data may be stored on your device. OCR is performed with Apple system frameworks. Camera or photo access is used only after you choose to scan or import an image.
Cloud services
If you enable cloud features, learning data may be synchronized through Apple iCloud/CloudKit. Firebase may be used for authentication, public lists, technical infrastructure, crash diagnostics, and basic product analytics.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions are purchased and managed by Apple through the App Store. Laowai checks App Store transaction status to unlock subscriber features. We do not receive or store your card or bank details.
Speech and translation
If you use speaking or translation features, text or audio you select may be processed by Apple system services to perform that action. Do not use these features with information you do not want processed by the relevant service.
Widgets, reminders, and Live Activities
These features use app learning data, such as a selected word, progress, or a link to a study session, to display information on your devices.
Public lists
When you create a public link to a word list, its contents become available to anyone with that link. Do not publish lists containing personal or sensitive information.
Service providers and legal disclosures
We do not sell personal data. Data may be processed by providers that operate selected app features, including Apple and Firebase/Google, or disclosed when required for security, legal compliance, or protection of rights.
Tracking
Laowai does not use IDFA, does not request App Tracking Transparency permission, and does not track you across apps and websites owned by other companies.
Security and retention
We use the standard security mechanisms provided by Apple, Firebase, and HTTPS. No transmission or storage method is completely secure. Data is retained only as needed to provide the selected features or meet legal obligations.
Your choices
You can remove local app data, disable cloud features, sign out, delete the app, or contact support about account data and deletion. Deleting the app does not automatically cancel an App Store subscription; subscriptions are managed in your Apple Account settings.
Children
If a child uses Laowai, a parent or legal guardian should supervise cloud features, public lists, purchases, and imported materials.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when app features or legal requirements change. The current version will remain available on this page.