Tella Note Privacy Policy

Thank you for using Tella Note (the "App"). We take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how it's shared, your rights and choices, and how to contact us. This Policy applies to our iOS app and web experience (collectively, the "Services").

Who we are:

Summary for Apple's App Store (App Privacy)

Data Collection & Linking

We collect the categories below to operate the Services. Unless otherwise noted, data is linked to your account so we can provide core functionality. We do not sell your data and do not track you for third‑party advertising.

• Contact Info: email (account creation, support)
• Identifiers: internal user ID; device identifiers for security and diagnostics (no IDFA; we do not track across other apps/sites)
• User Content: audio/video you record or upload, transcripts, notes, flashcards, quizzes/study guides, class names/folders, files you attach (e.g., PDFs, slides)
• Usage Data & Diagnostics: app interactions, performance/crash logs, basic device info (model, OS version), and analytics events
• Purchase Info: in‑app purchase/subscription status and receipts
• Optional: push notification token (to deliver study reminders/updates)

Purposes: app functionality, account management, processing lecture recordings to notes, generating study materials, syncing across devices, analytics to improve the product, customer support, security/fraud prevention, and compliance.

Tracking/Advertising: We do not use your data for cross‑app tracking or third‑party targeted ads and do not request App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permissions.

Information We Collect

1) Information you provide

• Account & Profile: email, password (hashed), display name or avatar (optional).
• User Content: lecture recordings (audio/video), transcripts, notes and summaries, flashcards, quizzes/study guides, class names/folders, attachments you upload (e.g., syllabi, slides, PDFs). You can delete this content at any time from within the App.
• Communications: messages to support, feedback forms, survey responses.

2) Information collected automatically

• Device & Usage Data: device model, OS version, app version, language/region, time zone; interactions such as feature use and session length; limited log data for performance and error diagnosis.
• Diagnostics & Crash Data: crash logs and performance metrics (collected via Apple, Firebase Crashlytics) used strictly to maintain and improve the Services.
• Approximate Location: derived from IP for language/region defaults and compliance; we do not collect precise GPS location.
• Push Token: if you enable notifications, we store a token to deliver them.

3) Information from third parties

• Purchases: subscription status and transaction receipts from Apple to verify entitlements.
• Single Sign‑On: if you choose "Sign in with Apple" (or other SSO), we receive the email/identifier Apple shares with us.

How We Use Your Information

• Provide and Improve the Services: operate the App, create transcripts and structured notes, generate flashcards/quizzes/study guides, sync across devices, maintain and enhance functionality.
• AI Processing: process your audio and documents to produce transcripts, notes, and study materials, which may involve secure third‑party processors (see Service Providers below).
• Personalization: remember your classes, preferences, and recent activity to streamline your workflow.
• Analytics: understand usage patterns to prioritize features and fix issues (aggregated or de‑identified where possible).
• Communications: send service messages (e.g., account notices, subscription status) and, with your consent where required, optional tips and updates. You can opt out of non‑essential communications at any time.
• Security and Fraud Prevention: protect accounts, prevent misuse, and enforce our Terms.
• Compliance: meet legal, accounting, and regulatory obligations.

Service Providers (Processors)

We work with carefully selected vendors to provide infrastructure and features. These providers only process data on our behalf and under strict contractual obligations.

• Cloud Hosting/Storage: Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure
• Speech‑to‑Text (Transcription): Apple Speech, OpenAI Whisper, Google Speech‑to‑Text
• Language Models/AI Features: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google used to transform transcripts into notes and study materials.
• Analytics & Diagnostics: Firebase, Apple analytics, Sentry/Crashlytics
• Email/Support: Zendesk, Intercom, HelpScout

Legal Bases (EEA/UK only)

We process personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contract: to provide the Services you request (account, recording → notes, subscriptions).
• Consent: for audio recording, push notifications, certain analytics/communications, and any optional data processing.
• Legitimate Interests: to secure and improve the Services, prevent fraud/abuse, and understand product usage (balanced against your rights).
• Legal Obligation: to comply with applicable laws and requests from authorities.

Sharing of Information

• Service Providers: as detailed above, strictly to operate the Services.
• Payment & App Stores: Apple processes your payments; we receive entitlement data and receipts to manage subscriptions.
• Business Transfers: if we engage in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, data may be transferred as part of that transaction under this Policy's protections.
• Legal & Safety: to comply with laws, lawful requests, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users, ourselves, or others.
• With Your Direction: if you choose to export/share content (e.g., to Notes/Docs/Notion) or invite collaborators, we share accordingly.

Data Retention

• Account & Content: retained until you delete it or close your account. You can delete individual recordings, transcripts, and study materials at any time. After account deletion, we aim to delete or anonymize personal data within 30 days, subject to up to 90 additional days in backups.
• Diagnostics & Logs: typically kept for 30–180 days unless longer retention is needed for security or legal reasons.
• Purchase Records: retained as legally required for tax/accounting.

We may keep de‑identified/aggregated data that cannot reasonably identify you.

International Data Transfers

If you are outside the country where our servers are located, your data may be transferred internationally. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), the UK IDTA/Addendum, and other lawful transfer mechanisms. Details available upon request.

Your Rights and Choices

• Access/Download: request a copy of your data.
• Correction: update inaccurate information.
• Deletion: delete your content or request account deletion in‑app or by contacting us.
• Portability: request your content in a portable format.
• Withdraw Consent: where processing is based on consent (e.g., notifications), you can withdraw at any time.
• Opt‑Out of Marketing: unsubscribe via in‑app settings or the email footer.

Requests can be made via in‑app → Settings → Privacy or hey@tellanote.ai. We may take steps to verify your identity.

Children's Privacy

The Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. In some regions, additional age thresholds (e.g., 16 in the EEA) may apply. If we learn we've collected data from a child in violation of applicable law, we will delete it. Parents/guardians who believe their child has used the Services may contact us at hey@tellanote.ai

Recording Consent and Classroom Use

Security

We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, and regular security reviews. No system is 100% secure; if we experience a breach affecting your rights, we will notify you and regulators as required by law.

Third‑Party Links

The Services may contain links to third‑party websites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect changes in our practices or the law. We will post the updated Policy in‑app and update the Effective Date. If changes are material, we will provide additional notice (e.g., in‑app banner or email) and, where required, obtain your consent.

Contact Us

iOS Permissions Disclosure

What we ask for & why:

• Microphone: to record lectures and create transcripts/notes. Required for core functionality.
• Speech Recognition: to transcribe audio on‑device or via provider. Required for core functionality.
• Camera/Photos (optional): if you attach images or scan notes.
• Notifications (optional): to send study reminders or updates.
• Background App Refresh: to complete long recordings and uploads reliably.

Final Notes for Users