Privacy Policy

Last updated: 15 August 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Shadow ("Shadow", "we", "us", or "our") handles information when you use the Shadow mobile application (the "App"). We built Shadow to work on your device, and we designed it to collect as little as possible.

Who provides the App. The App is provided by the developer of Shadow ("Shadow", "we", "us", or "our"). App name: Shadow; bundle identifier: shadow.me.Shadow. You can reach us any time at the contact address in Section 14.

1. The short version

• Your clips, recordings, and transcripts stay on your device. We do not upload them to our servers.
• Transcription runs on your device using Apple's on-device speech recognition.
• We don't sell your personal information.
• Payments are handled by Apple; we never see your card details.
• You can delete your account and all your data at any time from the Profile screen.
• You are responsible for the media you import, record, edit, and share, and for having the rights to it. The App does not review your content, and the Shadow watermark on an exported video does not mean we created, endorse, or are responsible for it. See our Terms for the content rules.

2. Information we handle

• Account details you provide. If you sign in, we store the name and email you enter, on your device. If you use "Sign in with Apple" or a similar option, you control what is shared.
• Your media and practice content. The audio and video you import or record, the transcripts generated from them, your phrase edits, and your self-recordings. These are stored on your device and are not sent to us.
• Practice statistics. Your total practice time, daily usage, and streaks, stored on your device to show your progress and manage the free daily limit.
• Subscription status. Whether you have Premium. Purchases are processed by Apple; we receive only the entitlement status needed to unlock features, not your payment details.
• Basic diagnostics. We may process limited, non-identifying technical information to keep the App working. We do not use it to identify you.

3. Processing on your device

Shadow performs its core work locally:

• Speech recognition / transcription uses Apple's on-device speech recognition where available, so your audio is not sent to us. If on-device recognition is unavailable for a language, the App may fall back to Apple's speech service; in that case Apple processes the audio under Apple's own privacy terms.
• Recording, editing, and video export happen on your device. The finished video is created locally, and you choose whether and where to share it.

4. Device permissions

The App asks for permissions only to provide its features:

• Microphone — to record audio and to record yourself practising. Your audio is processed on your device (see Section 3) and is not sent to us.
• Camera — to record a speaker to shadow, and to film yourself. Video is processed on your device and is not sent to us.
• Speech recognition — to turn speech into a transcript on your device.
• Photo library — to import videos you choose, and to save your finished video if you ask.
• Face ID / passcode — only to confirm it's you before permanently deleting your account.
• Notifications — only if you allow them, to send you an optional daily reminder to practise. These reminders are scheduled on your device; we do not track whether you open them. You can turn notifications off any time in your device Settings.

You can change these permissions any time in your device Settings. Some features won't work without the related permission.

5. How we use information

We use the information above to: provide and improve the App's features; show your progress and manage the free daily limit; process and restore your subscription (via Apple); confirm account-deletion requests; and keep the App secure and working.

6. Third-party services and sharing

We do not sell your personal information. The App relies on a few third-party services, and shares information only as described here:

• Apple — to process in-app purchases and subscriptions, and, where used, for on-device speech recognition. Apple handles this under Apple's own privacy terms.
• YouTube (Google) — if you practise with a YouTube video, it plays through YouTube's standard embedded player and any on-screen captions come from YouTube. Your use of YouTube is subject to Google's and YouTube's own terms and privacy policy. We do not send your personal information to YouTube; it is the ordinary embedded player.
• Platforms you choose — when you share an exported video (for example, to social media), that platform's own privacy terms then apply.
• Legal — we may share information if required by law, or to protect rights, safety, and the security of the App.

Storage and security. Your clips, recordings, transcripts, and stats are stored on your device (see also Sections 8 and 10). We use reasonable measures to protect information, but keeping it on your device is the main safeguard.

7. Recordings are session-only

Your self-recordings are kept only while you are working inside a clip so you can review and re-record. When you leave the clip, or close the App, recordings and temporary export files are cleared from the device.

8. Data retention and deletion

Account details and practice statistics are stored on your device until you delete your account or the App. You can permanently delete your account and all your data at any time from the Profile screen ("To close your account and delete all your data permanently"). After confirmation (with Face ID or your passcode), your clips, recordings, exports, transcripts, and stats are removed from the device.

9. Children

Shadow is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will help remove it.

10. Security

We use reasonable measures to protect information, and keeping your content on your device reduces exposure. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please keep your device protected with a passcode or biometrics.

11. International users

Shadow works on your device wherever you are. Where third parties such as Apple process information (for example, payments), they may do so in other countries under their own safeguards.

12. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your information, or to object to certain processing. Because most data lives on your device, you can view and delete it directly in the App. For other requests, contact us.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date and, where appropriate, notify you in the App.

14. Contact us

Questions about privacy? Email us at shadowappsupport@gmail.com.