Privacy Policy

1. Account information and sign-in

HearOn requires a WritOn account through the shared Firebase Authentication project. When you create an account, sign in with email and password, use Google sign-in, or request a password reset, authentication information is processed by Google's services. This includes your account email, account identifiers and information needed to authenticate and maintain your session. Google sign-in may provide account profile information through the authentication service.

Firebase and Google may process technical information such as IP addresses, device information and authentication activity to provide and secure their services. See Firebase privacy information and Google's Privacy Policy. HearOn does not log passwords or sign-in tokens.

A previously signed-in session may be available offline. Signing out stops access to the app until you sign in again; it does not erase saved chapters. Signing in does not upload or synchronize your local library.

2. Saved reading and offline narration

HearOn stores saved novels and chapters, titles, source links, artwork links, bookmarks, reading/listening positions and reading or pronunciation settings on your device. It may store local copies of cover artwork for display. These are used to show your library, resume reading and provide narration.

Piper Amy narration is generated locally. HearOn does not send saved chapter text to a cloud speech service for this narration.

Updated HearOn versions separate saved libraries by the signed-in Firebase account on this device. Versions before account isolation kept one shared device library. Signing in to another account opens that account’s local library; it does not sync books between devices. Older unowned libraries are retained separately until their owner explicitly recovers them.

3. Website access and artwork

Opening or saving a website in HearOn's embedded Android browser connects to that website. Loading artwork may connect to the website or its image host. Versions with source-session clearing remove source-website cookies and browser storage when signing out of HearOn; earlier versions may retain those website sessions. While signed in, these websites receive normal request information, such as your IP address and browser information, and may use cookies or other browser storage. Website content can include third-party scripts, advertisements or tracking controlled by that website. Those providers' privacy policies apply.

HearOn does not bypass website access controls. Browser session cookies are not exported to the separate artwork loader. Where normal browser origin rules permit, HearOn can save a local derivative of an already displayed cover image for your library.

4. Imports, exports and backups

You choose import and backup files through Android's document picker. Exported library backups contain unencrypted saved text, source links, bookmarks and reading/listening history. Store them securely. If you choose a cloud document provider, that provider handles the selected file under its own terms and privacy policy.

Library exports do not include authentication credentials, website sessions or voice models. Android automatic app backup is disabled in the current HearOn app. Removing the app or clearing its storage removes local app data, but does not delete backup files you exported elsewhere.

5. Diagnostics, support and service providers

HearOn keeps bounded local playback diagnostics to help investigate playback problems. These may include event times, audio-focus/routing state, numeric output device types, device/OS information and process-exit information. The playback diagnostic report does not include chapter text, source URLs, phone numbers or SMS contents.

You can choose to share diagnostics or prepare a website-support or deletion request. The app opens a draft or sharing interface; you review it and decide whether to send. If you send a message, the support mailbox and its email providers receive the message, your sender address and anything you attach.

Authentication information is processed through Google Firebase. Website requests go to the sites you access. Support correspondence is processed through email providers. Information may also be disclosed when required by applicable law or necessary to protect users and the service.

HearOn includes optional Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics. Collection for both is disabled by default. You can enable usage analytics and automatic crash reports separately in Settings > Privacy.

If you enable usage analytics, Google may process app/session interactions, approximate location inferred from network information, device/app details and installation identifiers. HearOn disables advertising-ID collection, advertising consent and automatic screen reporting. HearOn does not intentionally add saved chapter text, titles, source URLs, email or your Firebase account UID to telemetry events.

If you enable automatic crash reports, Firebase Crashlytics may process crash traces, device/app information and installation identifiers to help diagnose failures. These optional services are separate from device-local playback diagnostics that you choose to copy or send to support.

You can turn either option off in Settings. Disabling analytics resets its local analytics data; disabling crash reports requests deletion of pending unsent crash reports. Neither switch deletes data already received by Google. See Firebase privacy information and Google Analytics data collection for provider details.

6. Retention and security

Saved reading and preferences remain on your device until you remove them, clear app storage or uninstall HearOn. Diagnostic history and derived artwork caches are bounded and can be replaced as the app is used. Exported files remain where you saved them until you delete them.

Account information is retained while the shared account exists and as needed for authentication, security and applicable legal obligations. Support correspondence is retained as needed to handle the request and any necessary legal or security follow-up. Contact us about the information associated with your account or a support request and its deletion.

Optional analytics and crash data already sent to Google is subject to the services' retention and deletion processes and the project's applicable configuration. Turning collection off does not erase previously uploaded data. Contact support about applicable access or deletion requests.

HearOn relies on Android app-private storage and the security protections of its service providers. Network authentication uses HTTPS. No electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed completely secure. Unencrypted exported backups need your own protection.

7. Your choices and account deletion

You can manage saved novels and chapters, export your library, sign out, and clear device-local data using Android app-storage controls.

To request deletion of your HearOn account and associated personal data, email hearon@writon.cc with the subject HearOn account deletion request and the email address used for the account. You do not need to reinstall or sign in to HearOn to send this request. Never include passwords, sign-in tokens or verification codes.

The app also provides Request account deletion before login and in Account settings. Opening its email draft does not submit the request; you must send it.

The sign-in identity is shared with WritOn. Deleting it can affect access to both products. Ownership and the requested scope must be verified, and shared-account consequences explained before processing. Deleting an account does not automatically erase the device-local library or exported backups. Any necessary legal retention or exceptions should be explained as part of the request.

Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights to access, correct, delete or restrict use of your personal information. Contact us to make a request or raise a privacy concern.

8. Children's privacy

If you are a parent or guardian and believe a child has provided personal information through HearOn, contact us so the concern and any applicable deletion request can be reviewed. Websites accessed through the app have their own content and privacy practices.

9. Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated as HearOn changes. Updates will be published on this page with a revised date. Material changes may also be communicated through the app or another appropriate channel.

10. Contact

HearOn / WritOn
Website: writon.cc
HearOn support and privacy: hearon@writon.cc
WritOn privacy contact: help@writon.cc