Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 4, 2025 | App Version 1.1

1. Information We Collect

TechInterviewPrep collects the following information to provide and improve our service:

1.1 Information You Provide

• Code Solutions: When you use our AI features (Get Hint, Check Logic, Normalize Code, Guided Solutions, Optimal Solutions), your code and problem descriptions are sent to our AI service providers to generate responses.
• Progress Data: Problems you've solved, current streak, last activity date, solution timestamps, hint history, starred hints, and rescue mode eligibility tracking.
• Solution Quality Data: Logic verdicts (CORRECT, ACCEPTABLE, INCORRECT) to track solution quality and provide visual distinctions between perfect and acceptable solutions.
• Problem Reset History: When you use the problem reset functionality to clear all progress, hints, and solution data for fresh starts.
• Subscription Information: Payment and subscription status handled through RevenueCat.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: AI feature usage counts, daily limits, and feature interaction patterns.
• Technical Data: App version, device type, operating system version for functionality and crash prevention.
• Hint History: AI-generated responses you choose to save, including timestamps, starred status, and rescue mode interactions.
• Enhanced Progress Analytics: Solution quality metrics tracking, perfect vs acceptable solution distinctions, and comprehensive learning progress patterns.
• Reset Interaction Patterns: Usage of problem reset functionality to understand feature effectiveness while preserving rate limiting integrity.

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

• Location data or GPS coordinates
• Contact lists or address books
• Camera or microphone access
• Advertising identifiers or device fingerprinting
• Third-party analytics or tracking (no Google Analytics, Facebook SDK, etc.)

2. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Core Functionality: Provide AI-powered coding assistance and feedback
• Enhanced Code Normalization: Convert mobile-friendly code shortcuts to proper syntax with structured change summary lists showing exactly what was modified
• Solution Quality Assessment: Track and display logic verdicts (CORRECT, ACCEPTABLE, INCORRECT) to help you identify your best work vs acceptable solutions
• Problem Reset Management: Enable complete problem resets with one-click data clearing while preserving rate limiting integrity
• Guided Solutions: Generate step-by-step guided solutions when you're struggling
• Optimal Solutions: Provide optimal solution recommendations for code improvement
• Enhanced Progress Tracking: Maintain your learning progress, streaks, solved problems, and solution quality distinctions
• Hint Management: Store and manage your hint history and preferences
• Rate Limiting: Enforce daily usage limits for different subscription tiers
• Service Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to improve app functionality (aggregated data only)
• Customer Support: Respond to user inquiries and technical issues
• Payment Processing: Handle subscriptions and billing through RevenueCat

4. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We share your information only with the following third-party services:

4.1 AI Service Providers

• Google AI Services: Your code is sent to Google's Gemini AI models for analysis and response generation including hints, logic checks with quality verdicts, enhanced code normalization with structured change summaries, guided solutions, and optimal solutions
• Data Handling: Google processes your code in real-time and does not permanently store it for our app
• Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy

4.2 Payment Processing

• RevenueCat: Handles all subscription management, payment processing, and billing
• Data Processed: Subscription status, payment transactions, and customer information
• Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy

4.3 Secure Cloud Services

• Cloud Hosting: We use secure cloud hosting services to provide fast, reliable access to AI features
• Data Protection: All data transmission is encrypted and secure
• App Platform: We use trusted app development platforms for secure app delivery and updates

4.5 Legal Disclosures

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights and the safety of our users.

5. Data Security and Protection

We implement comprehensive security measures:

5.1 Technical Safeguards

• Encryption: All data transmission is encrypted for security
• Local Storage: Your progress data is stored securely on your device
• Secure Servers: Our app servers use industry-standard security measures
• No Code Storage: Your code is processed by AI but never permanently stored

5.2 Access Controls

• Limited access to user data on a need-to-know basis
• No unauthorized access to individual user data
• Third-party services bound by their respective security policies

6. Data Retention and Deletion

6.1 Local Data

• Progress Data: Stored locally until app deletion, manual reset, or problem-specific reset using the reset button
• Solution Quality Data: Logic verdicts (CORRECT/ACCEPTABLE/INCORRECT) stored locally until reset or app deletion
• Hint History: Stored locally with reasonable limits to ensure good app performance, including starred hints and rescue mode data
• Usage Tracking: Daily usage counts reset automatically, stored locally only
• Reset History: Problem reset interactions tracked locally to preserve rate limiting while allowing fresh starts

6.2 Third-Party Data

• Google AI: Your code is processed in real-time for AI features but never permanently stored
• Payment Processor: Subscription data retained according to standard billing and tax requirements
• App Servers: Temporary technical logs kept briefly for troubleshooting and service reliability

6.3 Data Deletion

You can delete your data through:

• Problem Reset: Use the reset button (refresh icon) in any problem header to immediately clear all progress, hints, logic verdicts, and solution data for that specific problem
• App Reset: Clear all progress data through in-app settings
• App Uninstall: Removes all local data immediately
• Account Deletion Request: Contact us to delete subscription and server data

7. Your Privacy Rights

7.1 Universal Rights

• Access: Request information about data we've collected
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data

7.2 GDPR Rights (EU Users)

• Right to Object: Object to data processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Restrict: Limit how we process your data
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing
• Right to Complain: File complaints with your local data protection authority

7.3 CCPA Rights (California Users)

• Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how it's used
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of sale (note: we don't sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices

7.4 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your privacy rights:

• Email: samsapps.app@gmail.com
• Subject Line: "Privacy Question - TechInterviewPrep"
• Response Time: We will respond within 30-45 days depending on your location

8. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your residence:

8.1 Transfer Safeguards

• AI Processing: Google processes data globally with strong privacy protections and safeguards
• Payment Processing: Payment services comply with international data protection standards
• Cloud Services: All services use secure, compliant infrastructure with data protection safeguards

8.2 Data Protection Standards

• All transfers comply with applicable data protection laws
• Third-party services maintain appropriate security measures
• Data encryption in transit and at rest where technically feasible

9. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

• Our app is not intended for children under 13 years of age
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• If we discover we have collected data from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately
• Parents/guardians can contact us if they believe their child has provided personal information

10. Privacy Policy Updates

• We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws
• Material changes will be communicated through in-app notifications
• Continued use of the app after updates constitutes acceptance of the new policy
• Previous versions will be archived and available upon request

11. Complaint and Dispute Resolution

If you have concerns about our privacy practices:

1. Contact us directly: samsapps.app@gmail.com
2. GDPR users: Contact your local Data Protection Authority
3. CCPA users: File complaints with the California Attorney General
4. Other jurisdictions: Contact relevant privacy regulators