Privacy Policy

1. Overview

Welcome to Vocal Archive. This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information when you use our website and web-based audio utilities. We are committed to protecting your privacy, remaining transparent about our data practices, and providing a private-by-default experience across all our utilities.

2. Audio Privacy & Core Principles

2.1 Anonymous Core Access: You are not required to create an account or provide personal credentials to use our core web-based audio utilities. Core tools remain completely free and accessible without registration.

2.2 Zero Audio Recording or Uploads: Several of our tools (such as tuners, pitch meters, voice recording tools, and acoustic analysers) utilize microphone access. We do not record, intercept, stream, or upload your microphone audio to our servers. All microphone audio is processed strictly locally within your device's web browser in real-time using standard Web Audio APIs. Media files processed in our conversion tools are converted in-browser via Web Workers and are never uploaded to remote servers.

2.3 Client-Side Storage: We use your browser's local storage (localStorage) to store your UI theme preference (vocal-theme), and for signed-in users, session credentials (access_token, refresh_token) and cached profile preferences (va_user_profile). This eliminates layout shifts and preserves your session across visits. You can clear this stored data at any time by signing out or clearing your browser site data.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 General Usage and Analytics Data: We automatically collect non-personally identifiable information about how visitors interact with our Service. This includes pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring website addresses. We use this data strictly to analyze aggregate trends, administer the site, and improve user experience.

3.2 Device Information: We may collect generic information about the device you use to access our tools, including browser type, operating system, and anonymous IP addresses, to optimize platform performance.

3.3 Account Information (Optional Sign-In): If you choose to sign in with Google, we collect and store:

• Your name, email address, and profile picture URL provided via your Google account profile.
• Your personal saved preferences, including favorited tools and bookmarked articles.
• Your available service credit balance and pseudonymized tool practice duration records (e.g. time spent practicing on specific tools) to populate your personalized practice dashboard.

This information is used strictly to provide authenticated account features and practice history, and is never sold or shared with third parties for commercial marketing.

3.4 Contact Form Submissions: If you reach out to us via our Contact Us page, we collect your name, email address, selected subject, and message content solely to respond to your inquiry.

4. Cookies, Analytics & Third-Party Services

4.1 Use of Cookies: Vocal Archive uses cookies (small data files stored on your device) to enhance your experience and track usage patterns. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or indicate when a cookie is being sent.

4.2 Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to measure and evaluate access to and traffic on our website. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect non-identifying information such as your IP address, browser type, and operating system. This data helps us create statistical reports on website activity. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4.3 Google Sign-In & Firebase Authentication: We utilize Google Sign-In managed through Firebase Authentication (services provided by Google LLC) to securely authenticate users. When you click "Continue with Google", Google processes your authentication credentials according to the Google Privacy Policy. We receive a verified identity token to authenticate your session and do not collect or store your Google password.

4.4 Spam Prevention (hCaptcha): We use the hCaptcha anti-bot service (operated by Intuition Machines, Inc.) on our contact form to protect our platform from automated spam. hCaptcha analyzes device telemetry, mouse movements, and IP addresses to distinguish human users from bots. Your use of the contact form is subject to the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

5. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to request disclosure of data collection practices, request deletion of collected personal data, and opt out of the "sale" of personal information. While Vocal Archive does not sell personal information for monetary compensation, third-party analytics cookies may fall under statutory definitions. Signed-in California residents may request disclosure, export, or deletion of their account profile, preferences, and practice metrics by contacting us.

6. European Economic Area Rights (GDPR)

If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have data protection rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, rectify, delete, restrict, or port personal data we hold about you. For signed-in users, requests are verified against your registered account email address. For anonymous visitors, data is limited to pseudonymous analytics identifiers. Contact us at contact@vocalarchive.com to exercise your rights.

7. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Vocal Archive does not knowingly collect or solicit any information from anyone under the age of 13. Our Service and its content are not directed at children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under age 13 without parental consent, we will delete that information as quickly as possible.

8. "Do Not Track" Signals

Vocal Archive does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" (DNT) browser signals or mechanisms. Third parties (like Google Analytics) may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites when you use our Service.

9. Cross-Border Data Transfer

Your information, including analytics and account profile data, may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your state, province, country, or jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ. By accessing Vocal Archive or creating an account, you consent to this transfer and processing in our operating jurisdictions (including India).

10. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain account information (such as your profile details, favorites, bookmarks, and practice metrics) for as long as your account remains active. You may request permanent deletion of your account and associated server records at any time by sending an email from your registered account address to contact@vocalarchive.com. We will process verified account deletion requests within thirty (30) days.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at contact@vocalarchive.com.