HelloTalk Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2024.2.28

UPDATES: PRIVACY POLICY

 

HelloTalk is a global language exchange platform developed and operated by HelloTalk Limited (hereinafter referred to as "we" or "our"). We attach great importance to your privacy and personal information, and are always committed to protecting your privacy. In order for you to better use HelloTalk, we have specifically laid out how and what kind of information we collect, use, and safeguard when you use our services in this Privacy Policy.

 

Before using our services, please read our Privacy Policy carefully. Unless you have read and accepted all the terms of this agreement, please stop using HelloTalk immediately. Once you check or click the "Agree and continue" button, you are deemed to have fully understood and accepted this Privacy Policy.

 

Part One Definitions

User: hereinafter referred to as "you" or "user" refers to individuals or organizations that register, log in, use, browse, or obtain services under this policy.

Personal information: refers to all kinds of information recorded electronically or in other ways that can be used alone or in combination with other information to identify the identity of a specific person, or reflect the activities of a specific person.

 

Part Two Contents

This privacy policy will help you understand the following:

  1. Information We Collect
  2. Information Storage
  3. Information Security
  4. How We Use Information
  5. Disclosure to Third Parties
  6. Children's Information Policy
  7. Contact Us

 

1. Information We Collect

(1) Register an account

(2) Providing network security and operational security

(3) Camera functions

After enabling camera permission, you may use the camera to take photos or videos, upload, share, and use other features. Please note that even if you allow access to your camera, we will only obtain relevant information through the camera when you actively click on the above functions in the client.

(4) Microphone-based functions

You can use the microphone for voice chat by enabling the microphone permission. Please know that even if you allow microphone access, we will only obtain voice information through the microphone when you actively click the microphone icon in the client.

(5) Geographic location information functions

After obtaining your consent, we will record your geographic location to show you more user attributes and a better match with language partners in your region. Geographic location information is sensitive information, and refusing to provide this information will not affect the normal use of the application. You may adjust your geographic location information permissions at any time.

(6) Functions based on storage permissions

When you upload/update your account avatar or post graphic/video content, we will need to access your device storage/album in order to publish pictures and text information. If you refuse to enable the above permissions, we will not be able to provide you with the aforementioned functions. Note, this will not affect the use of other HelloTalk functions.

(7) Calendar-based functions

When you use HelloTalk Live to create a livestream or reserve a spot in a livestream, we will ask you for permission to read/write to your calendar so that we can send you reminders before the event starts. We will not access or change any calendar content that is not related to language exchange and live streaming.

(8) Other circumstances

According to relevant laws, regulations, and national standards, in the following situations, we will collect and use your personal information without asking for your authorization:

 

2. Information storage

(1) Method and period of information storage

(2) Managing and retaining your information

(3) Data transmission in other countries

(4) Retention and usage period of personal information

HelloTalk will obtain user consent for the retention period of personal information at the time of their member or service subscription for the following purposes.

According to relevant statutes, including the Act on Consumer Protection, in Electronic Commerce, Etc., the Framework Act on Electronic Documents and Transactions, and the Protection of Communications Secrets Act, require HelloTalk to store the information for a certain period of time under the following circumstances. HelloTalk stores personal information during the set period under the provisions of the statutes and in no case will it ever store this information for any other purposes.

Act on Consumer Protection, in Electronic Commerce, Etc.

Protection of Communications Secrets Act

Personal information that fully serves its purpose of collection and uses, by means such as membership cancellation, service termination, and/or expiration of the retention period of personal information approved by the user, is destroyed to an irreversible state.

Information required to be retained under the statutes is also destroyed to an irreversible state without delay after the expiration of the relevant period.

Please note that HelloTalk separately stores and manages or deletes the personal information of members who have not used its service for at least one year in accordance with the Personal Information Validity Period Plan.

 

3. Information Security

(1) Data protection

(2) Regarding video and audio chats

(3) Security incident handling measures

(4) How you can manage your information

 

4. Information Usage

We strictly abide by laws and regulations and agreements with users, and use the collected information as described in this privacy policy to provide you with better services.

 

5. Disclosure to Third Parties

(1) Principle

(2) Accessed third-party SDK directory:

The following personal information is stored and used until the user cancels membership or reaches the term of the entrusted agreement.

Third-party SDK name Purpose of use Types of user personal information obtained Privacy Policy Link
YiDun Identify risky accounts and devices, so that we can maintain the quality of users in the community (1) Device information, device unique identification code (device serial number, IMEI, MAC address, Android ID, IDFV, IDFA), device brand, device name, device model and device system type, detailed settings and version information. (2) Log information, including 1) Network related information: device IP address, router identification (BSSID, SSID, MAC) and IP address, network operator information, network connection status; 2) Operation information: end user boot, click, Installation behavior information, sensor information, positioning permission (iOS system needs to obtain positioning permission to obtain WIFI information). (3) Application information, including the Bundle ID of the iOS application and/or the application package name of the Android application, the application name and version number, and the application signature information. https://dun.163.com/clause/privacy/en
Facebook Identity verification during registration Mac, Android ID, Conversation Account, service log information https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/
Google OAuth Identity verification during registration Mac, Android ID, Conversation Account, service log information https://policies.google.com/privacy
QQ Identity verification during registration imei, imsi, mac, conversationAccount, device model, operating system, unique device identifier (Android such as Android ID/OAID, iOS such as IDFA before iOS14.5), login IP address, WeChat software version number, QQ nickname, QQ avatar, network access method, type and status, network quality data, device accelerators (such as gravity sensing devices), operation logs, service log information https://privacy.qq.com/
Wechat Identity verification during registration imei, imsi, mac, conversationAccount, device model, operating system, unique device identifier (Android such as Android ID/OAID, iOS such as IDFA before iOS14.5), login IP address, WeChat software version number, WeChat nickname, WeChat avatar, network access method, type and status, network quality data, device accelerators (such as gravity sensing devices), operation logs, service log information https://weixin.qq.com/cgi-bin/readtemplate?lang=en_US&t=weixin_agreement&s=privacy&cc=CN&head=true
Line Identity verification during registration Mac, Android ID, Conversation Account, service log information https://line.me/en/terms/policy/
Kakao Talk Identity verification during registration Mac, Android ID, Conversation Account, service log information https://www.kakao.com/policy/privacy?lang=en
Agora Real-time voice communication for users Device-related information (device type, device model, CPU information, battery power information, operating system version information); network status-related information (dynamic IP address, network type/status); interaction information (transceiver user ID, user attributes, channel information, usage time), storage permissions, device sensor information, service log information https://www.agora.io/en/privacy-policy
Zego Real-time voice communication for users imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, storage permissions, service log information https://www.zego.im/privacy
Xiaomi Push (Xiaomi) Send emails and push messages imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, service log information, Android users will collect device-related information such as device manufacturer, device model, device memory, operating system version, Xiaomi push SDK version, device home (country or region), SIM card operation Business name, current network type (the current network type and SIM card operator name are only read locally on the device and will not be uploaded to the Xiaomi server), notification bar setting information (including whether to block the notification bar and whether to set the lock screen pop-up message) ; iOS users will collect device-related information such as device model, operating system version, and Xiaomi push SDK version. https://dev.mi.com/console/doc/detail?pId=1822
OPPO Push (OPPO) Send emails and push messages Device-related information (such as IMEI or OAID, Serial Number, IMSI, User ID, Android ID, MAC address, Google Advertising ID, mobile phone Region settings, device model, mobile phone battery, mobile operating system version and language), applications using push services Information (such as APP package name and version number, running status), push SDK version number, network-related information (such as IP or domain name connection results, current network type), message sending results, notification bar status (such as notification bar permissions, user clicks behavior), lock screen status (such as whether to lock the screen, whether to allow lock screen notifications), service log information https://open.oppomobile.com/wiki/doc#id=10288
FCM Push(Google Send emails and push messages imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, service log information https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
Huawei Push (Huawei) Send emails and push messages imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, service log information https://consumer.huawei.com/cn/privacy/privacy-policy/
Vivo Push (Vivo) Send emails and push messages Device-related information (such as IMEI or OAID, Serial Number, IMSI, User ID, Android ID, MAC address, Google Advertising ID, mobile phone Region settings, device model, mobile phone battery, mobile operating system version and language), applications using push services Information (such as APP package name and version number, running status), push SDK version number, network-related information (such as IP or domain name connection results, current network type), message sending results, notification bar status (such as notification bar permissions, user clicks behavior), lock screen status (such as whether to lock the screen, whether to allow lock screen notifications), service log information https://www.vivo.com.cn/about-vivo/privacy-policy
ThinkingData Data analytics imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, operator, device brand, model, software version, application installation list information, device connection wifi and base station information, sdk host application package name, version number, service log information https://docs.thinkingdata.jp/ta-manual/latest/user_guide/privacy_policy.html
Data analytics clipboard https://dashboard.branchcn.com/ServiceAgreement
AppsFlyer Data analytics imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, operator, device brand, model, software version, application installation list information, device connection wifi and base station information, sdk host application package name, version number, service log information https://www.appsflyer.com/privacy-policy/
Google Analytics Data analytics and to improve application stability and reduce application crashes mac, Android ID, device brand, model, software version, application installation list information, device connection wifi and base station information, sdk host application package name, version number, service log information https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Firebase Analytics Data analytics and to improve application stability and reduce application crashes mac, Android ID, device brand, model, software version, application installation list information, device connection wifi and base station information, sdk host application package name, version number, service log information https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites
Facebook Analytics Data analytics mac, Android ID, device brand, model, software version, application installation list information, device connection wifi and base station information, sdk host application package name, version number, service log information https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
Alibaba Cloud SDK (including OSS: Object Storage Service, and Log Service) Used for cloud storage services, reporting service quality logs, and analyzing service problems (1) Device information: We will receive and record the device-related information you use (such as device model, operating system version, device settings, MAC address and IMEI, IDFA, OAID, imsi, Android ID, storage permissions), information about the location of the device (such as IP address, GPS location, and sensor information such as Wi-Fi access points, Bluetooth, and base stations that can provide relevant information). (2) Log information: Your detailed usage of the service will be automatically collected and saved as relevant network logs. Such as search query content, IP address, type of browser, telecom operator, language used, date and time of access. http://terms.aliyun.com/legal-agreement/terms/suit_bu1_ali_cloud/suit_bu1_ali_cloud201902141711_54837.html?spm=5176.7933691.J_9220772140.89.48042a66UppgUO
Android Pay(Google Inc.) Allow users to pay with Android Pay in the app mac, Android ID, service log information https://policies.google.com/privacy
Apple Pay(Apple Inc.) Allow users to pay with Apple Pay in the app mac, Android ID, service log information https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/
Cardinal SDK Provide mobile payment support mac, IMEI, Android ID, service log information, GPS, WIFI, IP, Network operator, SIM card serial number, Bluetooth adapter address https://cardinaldocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CMSDK/overview
Google Map Display positioning information for language learning partners in the same or designated area mac, Android ID, location information, service log information https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=zh-CN
Google Admob HelloTalk advertising exposure mac, Android ID, service log information https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en
Facebook Audience Network HelloTalk advertising exposure mac, Android ID, service log information https://business.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
TopOn HelloTalk advertising exposure Publicly collected data: system version name, system version number, application package name, application version name, application version number, mobile phone brand, mobile phone model, screen resolution, mobile network code, mobile country code, language, time zone, User Agent, Screen orientation, network type, app installation source, Android ID, service log information Additional data collected by SDK in China: MAC address, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), OAID Additional data collected by the SDK in non-China regions: Google Ad ID https://docs.toponad.com/#/zh-cn/android/NetworkAccess/SDK_Policy/TopOn_SDK_Privacy_Policy_CN
Pangle HelloTalk advertising exposure imei, imsi, mac, Android ID, BSSID, device brand, model, operating system version number, browser information, IP address, software version number, software region, software language, network type, system language, operator information, platform operation, Usage and service logs https://www.pangle.cn/privacy

 

To personalize ads, we may share anonymized and personal information, such as interest and age as well as device types with Admob by Google, Facebook Audience Network, TopOn, and Pangle.

 

6. Children's Information Policy

Children under 12 are not allowed to use HelloTalk. If you are based in the European Economic Area (EEA), you may only use HelloTalk if you are over the age at which you can provide consent to data processing under the laws of your country or if verifiable parental consent for your use of HelloTalk has been provided to us. If you are a parent and you learn that your child is using HelloTalk and you don’t want them to, please contact (support@hellotalk.com).

We suggest that any minors participating in online activities should obtain the consent of their parents or other guardians (hereinafter referred to as "guardians") in advance. We will protect the relevant information of minors in accordance with the relevant national laws and regulations.

 

7. Contact Us

HelloTalk is an international team located in Hong Kong, China and Shenzhen, China. We are firmly committed to protecting users' personal information under national data protection standards. If you have any questions or concerns about our privacy policy or data processing, please contact us.

 

Company Name: HelloTalk Limited

Company Address: 18th Floor, Shuguang Building, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province

Contact email: support@hellotalk.com

 

You can also contact our personal information protection officer Simon by email: privacy@hellotalk.com

 

Publication date:

2024.2.28

 

We reserve the right to modify this data privacy policy at any time and may revise this policy in due course.

If you do not agree with the revised privacy policy, you have the right to and should stop using HelloTalk services immediately. If you continue to use HelloTalk's services, it is deemed that you have accepted the modifications made by HelloTalk to the relevant terms of this policy.