Terms of Service

Last Updated: June 11, 2025

1. Acceptance and Scope

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Abel Yiyi Hancco Soncco, doing business as "SpeakPhonic" ("we," "us," or "our") regarding your use of the SpeakPhonic - AI Pronunciation mobile application ("App") and related services ("Service").

By downloading, installing, or using the App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Service.

2. Service Description and Eligibility

The App provides English pronunciation learning tools including IPA-based lessons, AI-powered voice analysis using Gemini Flash 2.0 technology, and credit-based premium features. Optional account creation is available through Firebase authentication via Google or Apple Sign-In.

Users must be at least 13 years of age. Users under 18 may use the Service only with parental consent and supervision. By using the Service, you represent that you meet these age requirements and have authority to enter into this agreement.

3. Virtual Credits System

3.1 Nature of Virtual Credits

Virtual credits ("Credits") are consumable digital products that provide access to premium features within the App. Credits are defined as consumable items under Apple App Store Guidelines Section 3.1.1 and are subject to the following characteristics:

  • Consumable Nature: Credits are depleted upon use and cannot be restored once consumed
  • No Expiration: Credits do not expire while maintained in your account
  • App-Only Value: Credits have value exclusively within the App ecosystem and cannot be exchanged for cash or other goods
  • Local Storage: Credits are stored locally on your device through secure storage mechanisms, not on external servers

3.2 Credit Acquisition

Purchased Credits: Credits purchased with real money through in-app purchases are processed via Apple App Store payment systems and delivered instantly upon successful transaction completion.

3.3 Credit Management and Limitations

Authentication Method: The App uses Firebase authentication via Google or Apple Sign-In solely to obtain user credentials for accessing Firebase services. We do not create, maintain, or manage user accounts beyond the authentication process itself.

Credit Association: Credits are stored exclusively on your device and are tied solely to that specific device. Credits are not associated with your authentication credentials and exist independently of your Google or Apple Sign-In status.

Device-Specific Storage: Due to local storage architecture, credits acquired on one device cannot be accessed from any other device, regardless of using the same authentication credentials. Each device maintains its own completely independent credit balance with no synchronization or backup capabilities.

Important Limitations:

  • No Cross-Device Access: Credits purchased or earned on a specific device remain permanently bound to that device. Changing devices, even while maintaining the same Google or Apple authentication credentials, will result in complete loss of access to previously acquired credits.
  • No Restoration Obligation: We are not obligated to restore credits lost due to device changes, authentication modifications, device damage, data loss, or any other circumstances. Credits are consumable products stored locally that users are solely responsible for managing and maintaining on their specific device.
  • Technical Support Limitations: While our support team may evaluate individual cases involving verified technical errors within the App itself, we provide no guarantee of credit restoration under any circumstances. Credit restoration is at our sole discretion and limited exclusively to confirmed technical failures originating from App malfunctions, not user actions or device-related issues.

4. User Obligations and Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to discover the App's source code or create derivative works
  • Upload harmful, illegal, offensive, defamatory, or copyrighted content without authorization
  • Misuse AI analysis features for unauthorized commercial purposes or automated systems
  • Exploit vulnerabilities, manipulate the credit system, or create fake accounts
  • Violate any applicable laws or regulations while using the Service

5. Privacy and Data Processing

  • Voice Data: Voice recordings are processed by Gemini Flash 2.0 for pronunciation analysis and are automatically deleted when you close the App session. Google may retain anonymized data for AI improvement purposes, but we do not store or access your voice recordings.
  • Account Data: Firebase collects display name and profile photo solely for account functionality. We may collect anonymized usage analytics to improve the Service.
  • Purchase Data: RevenueCat processes transaction data using anonymous identifiers in compliance with privacy standards.

6. Account Management and Termination

6.1 Account Deletion by User

You may terminate your account through in-app settings or by emailing speakphonic@gmail.com. Account deletion is processed immediately for in-app requests and within 48 hours for email requests.

Important Notice: Upon account deletion, all unused credits (purchased or earned) are permanently forfeited without refund, compensation, or transfer. This forfeiture is legally permissible under Apple App Store Guidelines for consumable purchases and constitutes voluntary abandonment of digital assets.

6.2 Termination by Developer

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or misuse the Service, with or without prior notice.

7. Payment Terms and Refunds

All credit purchases are final sales with no refunds available directly from us. For purchases made through Apple App Store, refund requests must be directed to Apple customer support in accordance with their policies.

8. Intellectual Property

The App and all associated content, features, functionality, and documentation are owned by Abel Yiyi Hancco Soncco and protected by United States and international intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without express written consent.

You retain ownership of content you submit and grant us a limited, non-exclusive license to process such content for Service provision purposes.

9. Third-Party Services

The App integrates with third-party services including Google Gemini AI, Firebase, and RevenueCat. We are not responsible for interruptions or failures of these services. Changes to third-party services may affect App functionality.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service Disclaimers

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee error-free operation, uninterrupted service, or specific results. AI analysis results are for educational purposes only and may not be completely accurate.

10.2 Liability Limitations

Our total liability for all claims shall not exceed the amount you paid for credits in the 12 months preceding the claim, with a maximum cap of $100 USD. We shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of credits due to account deletion, third-party service failures, or unauthorized account access.

11. Compliance and Legal Framework

11.1 Digital Content Disclosure

In compliance with California Assembly Bill 2426, we disclose that purchased credits are licensed digital content subject to these Terms. Credits may become inaccessible if the App is discontinued, though users will receive 90 days advance notice to consume remaining credits.

11.2 Consumer Protection

These Terms comply with applicable consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction. Where local laws provide greater consumer protections than these Terms, such local laws shall take precedence.

12. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of California, United States. We encourage contacting us at speakphonic@gmail.com to resolve disputes amicably before pursuing formal legal action.

Any claims must be brought within one year after the cause of action arises. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.

13. Modifications

We may modify these Terms by updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use after modifications indicates acceptance of updated Terms. If you disagree with modifications, you must discontinue using the Service.

14. Contact Information

For questions, technical support, or account deletion requests, contact us at speakphonic@gmail.com.

Account deletion is also available through the App settings menu, which provides access to these Terms and our Privacy Notice.

Developer: Abel Yiyi Hancco Soncco

Business Name: SpeakPhonic

By using SpeakPhonic - AI Pronunciation, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.