SpellStar — Privacy Policy

Overview

SpellStar is developed and published by Lydex Solutions Ltd. We take children's privacy extremely seriously. This policy explains what data the app handles and how it is protected.

Data Stored on Device

SpellStar stores limited data locally on the device to provide its core functionality. This includes:

• Child's first name (used for personalisation within the app)
• School year selection
• Spelling list content and learning progress
• Parent/guardian PIN (stored as a secure hash, not in plain text)
• Avatar customisation and badge progress

All of this data is stored exclusively on the device. None of it is transmitted, uploaded, or shared with any server, service, or third party.

Data Collection

SpellStar does not collect any personal data. Specifically:

• Your child's name, spelling lists, photos and learning progress never leave the device
• No gameplay analytics are collected
• No crash reports are sent
• No advertising identifier is read, and nothing is used to track you or your child across other apps or websites
• No cookies or tracking technologies are used
• No account creation is required

Three services, described below, receive limited technical information so that purchases, updates and photo import work. None of it is about your child.

Third-Party Services

SpellStar contains no advertising networks, analytics frameworks or tracking SDKs.

Purchases. If you subscribe, payment is taken by Apple or Google. We use a service called RevenueCat, acting on our behalf, to record your purchase history (which plan you bought, when, the price and the store's transaction number) against a random ID created for this copy of the app, so your subscription works and can be restored. RevenueCat also receives basic technical details such as the device model, the operating system version, the app version and the language, and on iPhone and iPad the identifier Apple gives each app maker for a device (identifierForVendor). We see simple purchase totals in RevenueCat's reports. RevenueCat never receives your name, email address, payment details or anything about your child.

App updates. When SpellStar opens with a connection, it asks our build service, Expo, whether a small update to the app is ready. The request carries the operating system, the app version and a random token, and nothing about you or your child.

Reading words from a photo or QR code. In the PIN-protected area, a parent or teacher can import a word list from a photo, or, on Android, by scanning a SpellStar QR code. The words are read on the device by Google's ML Kit, and the photo never leaves the device. ML Kit sends Google technical usage reports, such as the device model, the operating system and app version, how long the reading took and any error codes, under a random per-installation identifier that does not identify a person. Google uses these reports to keep ML Kit working well and does not pass them on. On iPhone and iPad, QR codes are read by Apple's own scanner, which sends nothing.

None of this information is used for advertising or tracking, sold, or shared with anyone else.

Internet Connectivity

SpellStar does not require an internet connection to practise spelling: all learning content works fully offline. When a connection is available, it is used to check for app updates, and when you make or restore a subscription purchase or import a list from a photo.

Advertising

The app contains no advertisements of any kind.

In-App Purchases

SpellStar offers optional paid tiers through the App Store and Google Play. These transactions are handled entirely by Apple or Google and are subject to their own privacy policies. Subscription status is managed via RevenueCat. Lydex Solutions does not receive or store any payment or card information.

Children's Privacy

SpellStar is designed for children aged 4–11 and is built to comply with:

• COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act): no personal information is collected from children, and the technical information described above is used only to keep the app working
• UK Children's Code (Age Appropriate Design Code): the app is designed with children's best interests as a primary consideration, with privacy settings at their highest by default

The parent/guardian area is protected by a PIN gate. Only a parent or guardian with the PIN can access progress reports, purchases, photo import and app settings.

In some US states the law asks apps to check an age range from the App Store or Google Play. If yours does, SpellStar asks the store when a grown-up opens a purchase screen. The answer is used only at that moment and is never saved or sent anywhere.

Data Retention and Deletion

Everything about your child is stored on the device only. Uninstalling the app removes it all permanently. Parents can also reset all data from within the PIN-protected settings area. If you would like the purchase record kept by RevenueCat deleted, email us with the order number from your Apple or Google receipt and we will delete it; your subscription stays with your Apple or Google account and comes back with Restore Purchase.

Data Controller

Lydex Solutions Ltd
Company registration number: 17117278 (registered in England and Wales)
ICO registration reference: ZC112933
Contact: ed@lydexsolutions.co.uk

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or how SpellStar handles data, contact us at ed@lydexsolutions.co.uk.

Changes to This Policy

If we make changes to this policy, the updated version will be published on this page with a revised date.