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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to The Sound Approach. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (iOS and Android) and web application. The Sound Approach is an audio player for bird sound examples in The Sound Approach book series, brought to you by M Constantine t/as The Sound Approach.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the application.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you register for an account, we collect:

  • Email Address: Required for account creation and authentication via one-time passwords (OTPs)

That's it. We believe in minimal data collection and only ask for what's necessary to provide you with the service.

Guest Mode

You can use The Sound Approach in Guest Mode without creating an account. In Guest Mode:

  • No personal information is collected or stored on our servers
  • Your preferences are stored locally on your device only
  • You can browse content and listen to recordings without signing in

Automatically Collected Information

We collect limited technical information automatically:

  • Device Information: Basic device type and operating system information necessary for app functionality
  • Authentication Data: Stored and managed by Supabase (our authentication service provider)
  • Last Activity Timestamp: We record when you last used the app (updated at most once per hour) to manage inactive account cleanup. This is a simple timestamp — we do not track what you do in the app.

Local Storage

The app stores certain information locally on your device using secure storage (MMKV) and Expo-SQLite:

  • App preferences and settings
  • Favorites and bookmarks (synced with our database when signed in)
  • Downloaded audio content for offline playback
  • Authentication tokens (when signed in)

This locally stored data remains on your device and is not transmitted to us except where necessary for account synchronization when you are signed in.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Create and manage your user account
  • Authenticate your identity via one-time passwords
  • Enable synchronization of your favorites across devices (when signed in)
  • Provide customer support and respond to your inquiries
  • Comply with legal obligations

We do not use your information for advertising, marketing, or any other purpose not listed above.

Third-Party Service Providers

We use the following third-party services:

Supabase

We use Supabase for authentication and database management. Supabase processes your email address and authentication data according to their own privacy policy.

View Supabase Privacy Policy →

Resend

We use Resend to send authentication emails (one-time passwords). Resend processes your email address for the sole purpose of delivering these emails.

View Resend Privacy Policy →

We do not share your information with any other third parties.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, rent, or otherwise share your personal information with third parties, except:

  • With Supabase: As necessary to provide authentication and database services
  • With Resend: As necessary to deliver authentication emails
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or legal process
  • Protection of Rights: To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public

Data Retention

Active Accounts

We retain your account information for as long as your account is active. Your email address and authentication data remain stored in our Supabase database until account deletion.

Inactive Accounts

To keep our systems clean and comply with data minimisation principles, we automatically remove accounts that have been inactive for 12 months. Before deletion, we will:

  • Send you a first warning email after approximately 11 months of inactivity
  • Send you a final warning email approximately 2 weeks later, giving you 14 days to log in and keep your account

If you do not log in during the notice period, your account and all associated data (email address, favorites, settings, and error reports) will be permanently deleted. Simply logging in to the app at any point resets the inactivity timer.

Local Data

Locally stored data on your device remains until you delete the app or clear app data.

Guest mode data is stored only on your device and is never transmitted to our servers.

Your Rights and Choices

Guest Mode

You can use the app without creating an account. Guest mode provides access to content with locally-stored preferences that are never uploaded to our servers.

Access and Update

You can access and update your account information through the app.

Account Deletion

You may delete your account and associated personal data at any time using our Delete Account page. In the mobile app, use Settings → Delete account. Do not rely on email to complete deletion; contact us at sales@soundapproach.co.uk only if you need help. Upon deletion:

  • Your account and associated email address will be permanently removed from our systems
  • Locally stored data will remain on your device until you uninstall the app
  • This action is irreversible

Data Portability

You may request a copy of your personal data by contacting us at sales@soundapproach.co.uk.

International Data Transfers

The Sound Approach operates primarily in the United Kingdom and European Union. We also serve users in the United States. Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. By using our app, you consent to such transfers.

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers in compliance with GDPR.

Children's Privacy

The Sound Approach is not intended for children under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13, please do not use this app or provide any information. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly.

Parents or guardians who believe we may have collected information from a child under 13 should contact us immediately at sales@soundapproach.co.uk.

Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. However, please note that:

  • No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure
  • We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

Your Legal Rights (GDPR - EEA Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have the following rights under GDPR:

Right to Access

Request copies of your personal data

Right to Rectification

Request correction of inaccurate data

Right to Erasure

Request deletion of your data

Right to Restrict Processing

Request limitation of how we use your data

Right to Data Portability

Request transfer of your data

Right to Object

Object to our processing of your data

To exercise your right to erasure (delete your data), use our Delete Account page or the in-app deletion flow. To exercise your other GDPR rights (access, rectification, portability, objection, etc.), contact us at sales@soundapproach.co.uk.

Your Legal Rights (CCPA - California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • Right to know what personal information we collect
  • Right to delete your personal information
  • Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
  • Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

  • Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Providing notice through the app (for material changes)

Your continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

The Sound Approach

sales@soundapproach.co.uk

Complaints

If you are located in the EEA and believe we have not adequately addressed your concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

By using The Sound Approach app, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.