Scope & Application
This Privacy Policy specifically applies to the NihongoDoya Android application ("the App") and its connected backend services operated by NihongoDoya (Website: https://nihongodoya.com). It explains how personal information, authentication identifiers, learning progress, and entitlement records are handled when you use the Android application.
For terms governing the public informational website, please refer to our Website Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
To provide authentication, package entitlements, mock test practice, and personalized learning features, the NihongoDoya Android app processes and stores the following information depending on the features you use:
- Authentication Details: Account information supplied during authentication via Google Sign-In, including your display name, verified email address, Google account identifier (UID), and basic profile information provided through authentication.
- NihongoDoya / Firebase Identifiers: Unique internal user IDs generated by Firebase to securely associate your exam progress and purchased access.
- Access & Entitlement Records: Unlocked mock test tiers, package validity dates, active access status, and set range permissions.
- Package & Voucher Data: Activated package identifiers, voucher redemption timestamps, voucher usage states, and cryptographic verification metadata used to unlock mock test sets.
- Mock-Test & Exam Activity: Mock test submissions, answer choices, calculated score summaries, completion timestamps, and section performance records necessary to provide result feedback.
- App Preferences: Non-sensitive user preferences such as haptic vibration toggles and test mode selections.
2. Google Sign-In and Authentication
The NihongoDoya Android app utilizes Google Sign-In integrated with Firebase Authentication to verify user identity securely.
- No Password Access: NihongoDoya never receives, processes, or stores your Google account password. Authentication is handled directly and securely through Google's OAuth infrastructure.
- Token Verification: The App receives secure authentication tokens from Google to confirm your identity and grant access to your saved entitlements and test history.
- Privacy Alignment: Google account authentication is governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
3. Firebase / Cloud Data
The Android application utilizes Google Firebase cloud services, specifically Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore, to operate connected features:
- Securely identifying your student account across app sessions.
- Persisting your activated package entitlements and valid test access periods.
- Managing voucher activation state to prevent unauthorized reuse while preserving your access.
- Storing exam attempt histories and feedback submissions where cloud synchronization is required.
We do not upload unnecessary data to cloud servers. Only information required to deliver authenticated functionality and maintain your legitimate access is synced to Firebase.
4. Local Device Data
We distinguish between cloud-synchronized information and data stored strictly on your local device:
- Local Profile Photos: Any custom profile photo selected from your device's photo gallery is stored strictly locally on your device. Profile photos are not uploaded to Firebase Storage, Firestore, or any remote server.
- Local App Preferences & Cache: Settings such as local haptic feedback preferences, local UI cache, and offline mock-test question assets are stored locally in private application storage.
- Device Clearing: You can clear locally stored device data at any time by clearing the application data/cache in your Android system settings or by uninstalling the application.
5. Mock Tests and Learning Activity
When you take JFT-Basic or SSW Skill Test mock examinations within the Android app, the application processes your recorded answer choices to:
- Evaluate answers against standard scoring keys and calculate section marks.
- Generate detailed review summaries showing correct answers and explanations.
- Verify that the attempted mock set is covered under your active package access.
We do not collect sensitive biometrics, location telemetry, or unrelated device sensors during practice examinations.
6. Purchases, Packages, and Voucher Activation
Access to premium mock test packages and extended question banks may be activated using digital vouchers or package entitlement codes. When a code or package is activated, the app records:
- The package identifier and associated test category (e.g., JFT-Basic Full Sets, Nursing Care, Food Service).
- The activation timestamp and entitlement validity window.
- The single-use voucher state and associated account identifier.
This verification prevents voucher duplication, enforces fair access limits, and ensures your unlocked access is preserved on supported devices. Digital voucher codes are independent activation codes and are not processed as Google Play in-app billing transactions unless explicitly indicated.
7. Third-Party Services
The NihongoDoya Android app integrates only the specific third-party SDKs necessary to provide authentication, database persistence, and crash reliability:
- Google Sign-In: For secure user authentication. (Google Privacy Policy)
- Firebase Authentication: For user identity and token management. (Firebase Privacy Notice)
- Cloud Firestore (Google Cloud): For cloud database persistence of user entitlements and exam submissions.
Website-only third-party tracking scripts, website analytics, and third-party advertising networks are not bundled into the Android application core mock-test flow.
8. Data Sharing Policy
NihongoDoya does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
Personal data is only processed by trusted infrastructure providers (specifically Google Firebase) strictly as required to operate the application backend, authenticate accounts, and store active entitlements. We may disclose information only if required by applicable law, court order, or governmental regulation.
9. Data Retention
Your account record, active entitlement periods, and exam submission records are retained in our cloud database for as long as your account remains active, as needed to provide you with continuous access to your study history, and to comply with legitimate operational, fraud-prevention, or legal requirements. When you request account deletion, eligible personal data is permanently removed in accordance with our deletion policy.
10. Account and Data Deletion
You have full control over your NihongoDoya account and personal data. You can request complete deletion of your account and associated cloud records at any time:
- Deletion Portal: Visit our dedicated Account Deletion Request Page (https://nihongodoya.com/delete-account).
- Email Request: Send an email to support@nihongodoya.com with the subject "Account Deletion Request" from your registered Google account email.
Upon verification of account ownership, your user profile, authentication record, cloud exam attempts, and active entitlement associations will be permanently purged from our active databases.
11. Security Safeguards
We implement appropriate industry-standard administrative, technical, and cryptographic measures to safeguard your personal information, including encrypted HTTPS/TLS data transmission and Firebase security rules that restrict data access strictly to authenticated account owners. However, no method of electronic transmission or cloud storage is 100% impenetrable, and we cannot guarantee absolute security against all unforeseen threats.
12. Children's Privacy
NihongoDoya is an educational application designed for students and adults preparing for Japanese language proficiency examinations. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13 without verifiable parental or guardian consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information without parental consent, please contact us at support@nihongodoya.com so we can take immediate steps to remove the data.
13. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction and applicable data protection laws, you may have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you, request corrections to inaccurate information, or request the deletion of your account. To exercise any of these rights, please reach out to us at support@nihongodoya.com.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect improvements in our application, changes in data practices, or updated regulatory requirements. Any modifications will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top. We encourage users to review this page periodically.
15. Contact & Support
For questions, privacy inquiries, data deletion requests, or support regarding the NihongoDoya Android app, please contact us:
NihongoDoya Support Team
Email: support@nihongodoya.com
Website: https://nihongodoya.com
Account Deletion: https://nihongodoya.com/delete-account