Sentences and audio in the Dowing app are processed only on your device. Personal data handled by the operator is limited to support email and the minimum information generated when the website is delivered.
1. Scope and operator
This Privacy Policy applies to the Dowing app made available through the App Store and to the Dowing website. The data controller and operator is the developer, Inseok Song.
This policy reflects the features available in the current release. If accounts, sync, analytics, advertising or external server features are introduced, we will update this policy and the App Store privacy answers before releasing those features.
2. Information processed on your device
Dowing processes the following information in the app’s local storage to provide shadowing features. The Dowing operator cannot access this information remotely.
- Sentences you enter and titles derived from those sentences
- Source audio you record and your personal practice recordings
- An in-app copy of audio you select through the document picker, a title derived from its filename, file size and playback duration
- Reading language, device voice identifier and display name, and playback speed
- Favourites, deletion status, creation, update and deletion times, and links between sources and recordings
- App display language and preferred reading-language settings
3. Personal data handled by the operator
Local app data is not transmitted to the operator and is therefore not included as collected data below. The operator handles only the following personal data.
| Channel | Status | Data | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support email | Required if you send an inquiry | Sender email address and inquiry content | Receive and answer the inquiry and provide requested support | One year after the final response |
| Support email | Optional | Name, iPhone model, iOS and app versions, screenshots and other attachments | Diagnose errors and provide more specific troubleshooting | One year after the final response. Unnecessary or excessive information is deleted without undue delay after review |
| Website | Generated automatically; not a required or optional field | IP address, request time, requested URL, browser and device information, and error or security events | Deliver the Site, maintain reliable operation, security and incident response | The operator does not separately download or retain these logs. The hosting provider processes them for the service term and as needed afterward to complete deletion and legal obligations |
4. Legal bases and consequences of not providing data
- Local app data: the operator does not collect it, so no personal-data consent or refusal notice applies.
- Support inquiries: we process the minimum information needed to take steps you request and provide support. Where Korean law applies, this is based on Article 15(1)(4) of the Personal Information Protection Act rather than separate consent.
- Security and disputes: we process information only where our legitimate interest in service safety or protecting legal rights clearly outweighs the individual’s rights and the processing remains proportionate. Where Korean law applies, this is based on Article 15(1)(6) of the Personal Information Protection Act.
- Sending a support inquiry is optional and not doing so does not limit app use. Without an email address or inquiry details, however, we cannot respond. Without optional diagnostic details, we may be unable to identify some causes of an error.
- Do not attach recordings, practice sentences, passwords, identity documents, payment data or sensitive personal data to a support email.
5. Microphone and file access
- Microphone: iOS asks for permission only when you choose to record. It is used for source audio and practice recordings.
- Files: when you choose Import Audio, Dowing opens the iOS document picker and copies only the file you select into the app’s storage.
- Declining access: you can still use features that do not require the microphone, including sentence entry and device-voice playback. You can change microphone access in iOS Settings.
6. Information Dowing does not collect or transmit
Dowing currently has no feature that transmits app content to the Dowing operator or a third-party server. Dowing therefore does not collect through the app:
- Names, email addresses, phone numbers or account information
- Sentences, source audio or practice recordings
- Advertising identifiers, location, contacts, photos or tracking data
- App analytics, advertising performance or crash analytics
7. Device features and Apple services
Dowing checks the system voices available on your device and uses iOS text-to-speech and audio playback. Some voices may require a download or may operate according to Apple’s operating-system settings. The Dowing operator cannot access this device-level processing or your Apple account.
Haptic feedback and the document picker are also operating-system features. Information Apple processes through the device, App Store or iCloud is governed by Apple’s terms and privacy policy.
8. Storage and security
Sentences, metadata and settings are stored in a local SQLite database. Recordings and imported audio are stored in the app’s document area. This area is protected by the iOS app sandbox, although no storage method can guarantee absolute security.
Dowing does not provide separate cloud sync or server backup. Depending on your iCloud or device-backup settings, operating-system backups may include app data. Those backups are controlled by you and Apple, not Dowing, and the Dowing operator cannot access them.
9. Retention and deletion procedures
- Active records remain on your device until you delete them or remove the app.
- Trash: deleted sentences, sources and recordings move to Trash. When the app runs its cleanup process, items that have been in Trash for more than 30 days are permanently deleted.
- Delete permanently: choosing permanent deletion removes the database record and attempts to remove audio files managed by the app.
- Reset Data: this setting deletes sentences, source audio and practice recordings. Display-language and preferred-language settings may remain.
- Removing the app generally deletes its local data and settings. Existing device or iCloud backup copies may remain according to your backup settings and Apple’s retention practices.
- Support email: one year after the final response, we delete the email and attachments from the inbox, archive and trash. Electronic files are deleted so that recovery is impracticable; provider backup copies may be removed in stages under the provider’s deletion process.
- Exception: if law requires retention or the information is needed for an actual or reasonably anticipated dispute, we keep only the minimum necessary data separately and delete it without undue delay when that purpose ends.
10. Service providers and international processing
Dowing uses the providers below to deliver the website and process support email. Information may therefore be processed outside South Korea or your country of residence. Each provider may use subprocessors under its contract and privacy terms.
| Service and provider | Data | Countries | Timing and method | Purpose | Retention | How to refuse and effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website hosting · OpenAI OpCo, LLC (privacy@openai.com) and its contractual subprocessors | Website request logs and device or request information | United States and countries where OpenAI or its subprocessors operate infrastructure | Continuously when the Site is visited, over encrypted networks | Hosting, maintenance, security and incident response | For the service term and afterward as needed to complete contractual deletion and legal obligations | You can refuse by not visiting the Site. This does not affect app use |
| Email forwarding · Porkbun LLC (privacy@porkbun.com) | Sender and recipient addresses, email headers, body and attachments | United States and countries where email-routing infrastructure operates | When a support email is sent, through electronic networks | Forward messages addressed to support@dowing.app | For the time needed to forward the message and for the provider’s security and legal obligations | You can refuse by not sending email. App use is unaffected, but email support will be unavailable |
| Email storage · Google LLC (policies.google.com/privacy) | Sender and recipient addresses, email headers, body and attachments | United States and other countries where Google maintains servers | When support email is sent or answered, through electronic networks | Receive, store and answer inquiries and secure the account | One year after our final response in the operator’s mailbox. Provider backups may remain under Google’s deletion and legal-retention practices | You can refuse by not sending email. App use is unaffected, but email support will be unavailable |
12. Your rights and how to exercise them
- Edit titles and delete, restore or permanently delete records in the app.
- Withdraw microphone permission in iOS Settings.
- Use Reset Data to remove content, or remove the app to delete all local app data and settings.
- To request access to, correction or deletion of, or restriction or objection to processing of support information, email support@dowing.app. You may act through an authorised representative. We may verify identity or authority to the extent necessary and will respond within the time and process required by applicable law.
- A request may be limited where retention is required by law, another person’s rights would be harmed, or processing is necessary to perform an agreed service. We will explain the reason where required.
13. Children’s privacy
Dowing is not designed primarily for children and does not collect account details or audio on a server. A parent or guardian should supervise a child’s device use, recordings and imported audio. Contact us to request deletion if information about a child was inappropriately included in a support request.
14. Changes to this policy
If features, laws or our information practices change, we will update this page and its effective date. For material changes, we will provide reasonable notice in the app, App Store description or another appropriate channel.
15. Privacy contact and complaints
The person responsible for privacy is Inseok Song. Send privacy-rights requests, questions or complaints to support@dowing.app. Where practicable, we will respond within 30 days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the privacy authority or dispute-resolution body available under applicable law. Where Korean law applies, you may contact the Personal Information Dispute Mediation Committee (1833-6972, kopico.go.kr) or the Personal Information Infringement Report Center (118, privacy.kisa.or.kr).