Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At EmpathEase, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

2.1 Account Information

• Name and email address
• Password (encrypted)
• Account preferences and settings

2.2 Usage Data

• Course progress and quiz results
• Feature usage patterns
• Login activity and device information

2.3 AI Training Data (Optional)

• Text inputs to Giraffe Translator
• Interactions with Needs Guesser
• AI feature usage patterns

Note: AI training data is only collected if you explicitly consent. You can manage this preference in your profile settings at any time.

2.4 Voice Input to AI Features (Optional)

• Audio you record when you use a voice-enabled AI feature (the Empy AI tutor, spoken quiz answers, Echo Arena roleplay, and the AI empathy buddy)
• The text transcript we generate from that audio so the feature can respond

Note: Voice input is used only when you choose to speak instead of type. We transcribe it solely to operate the feature you are using and delete the audio recording immediately afterward. We do not record or store your live empathy conversations with other people. See Section 4 for details.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Providing and improving our educational services
• Managing your account and subscriptions
• Personalizing your learning experience
• Communicating with you about service updates
• Improving AI features (only with your explicit consent)
• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience

4. Voice Input & Transcription

Several EmpathEase features let you speak instead of type. This section explains what happens to that audio.

4.1 Which Features Use Your Voice

Voice input is recorded only when you choose a spoken option in:

• Empy, the AI tutor (voice messages)
• Spoken quiz answers
• Echo Arena roleplay practice
• The AI empathy buddy, when you practice an exchange with our AI

If you type instead of speaking, no audio is recorded.

4.2 How It Works

• Recording: When you record a voice input, the audio is sent to our server over an encrypted connection.
• Transcription: Speech-to-text is performed using OpenAI's Whisper service so the feature can understand and respond to you.
• Audio deletion: Your audio recording is deleted immediately after it is transcribed. We do not keep the audio file.
• Transcript: The resulting text is used to operate the feature (for example, to grade a spoken quiz answer or generate a coaching reply) and is kept as part of your activity in that feature.

4.3 Third-Party Processing

Speech-to-text is performed by OpenAI using its Whisper service. OpenAI processes the audio solely to generate the transcript and, under its API data-use terms, does not use it to train its models.

4.4 Live Empathy Conversations Are Not Recorded

When you talk with another person in a live empathy session or circle, that audio is carried in real time, peer-to-peer, over our self-hosted audio infrastructure. We do not use a third-party video provider, and we do not record, transcribe, or store these conversations.

4.5 What We Do NOT Do

• We do not record your live empathy conversations with other people
• We do not keep your voice recordings after they are transcribed
• We do not use your voice input to train AI models (OpenAI does not train on it under its API terms, and neither do we)
• We do not sell your voice input or transcripts, or share them with anyone other than the transcription provider named above

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• With your explicit consent
• With service providers who assist in operating our platform (under strict confidentiality agreements)
• When required by law or to protect our legal rights
• In connection with a business transfer or acquisition (with advance notice to users)

5.1 Service Providers

We use the following third-party service providers to operate EmpathEase:

• Stripe - Payment processing for subscriptions. Handles payment card information; we do not store your full card details.
• OpenAI - AI features (AI Tutor, Giraffe Translator, Needs Guesser, Echo Arena) and speech-to-text transcription of voice input to our AI features. Processes only the inputs needed for these features; under OpenAI's API terms your data is not used to train its models.

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encryption, secure authentication, and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Data Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
• Consent Management: Change your AI training data consent at any time
• Data Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to certain types of data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@empathease.app or manage your preferences in your profile settings.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and provide core functionality. We do not use third-party advertising cookies. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Our public games and stories at games.empathease.app use Google Analytics to measure anonymous usage (no account, no personal information). If you have turned analytics off in the app, links from the app to those pages carry your opt-out with them.

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your data may be stored and processed in different countries. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this privacy policy and applicable laws.

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal or compliance purposes.

11.1 Voice Input & Transcripts

• Audio you record for a voice-enabled AI feature is deleted immediately after it is transcribed. We do not store voice recordings.
• The text transcript is kept as part of your activity in that feature (for example, your quiz history or tutor conversation) and is deleted when you delete your account.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by email or through a prominent notice on our service. Your continued use after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

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

• Email: privacy@empathease.app
• Support: support@empathease.app