Effective Date: May 28, 2026
Last Updated: May 28, 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how the Santali Keyboard mobile application (the "App", package com.santali.keyboard) handles information when you use it. We built this app to help people read, write, and learn the Santali language, and we take your privacy seriously.
1. Information We Do Not Collect
The Santali Keyboard App does not collect, store, or transmit any personally identifiable information (PII) to our own servers. Specifically, we do not collect:
- Your name, email address, phone number, or contact list
- Your location data (GPS or otherwise)
- Your device identifiers, advertising IDs, or analytics fingerprints
- The text you type using the keyboard, except as described in Section 3 (Voice Input)
- Your dictionary searches, notepad contents, or learning progress beyond your own device
2. Information Stored Locally on Your Device
The App stores certain information locally on your device using your device's secure storage (AsyncStorage). This data never leaves your device and is removed when you uninstall the App. This includes:
- Notepad content you create within the App
- User preferences and settings (e.g., theme, keyboard layout)
- Recently used words for prediction and autocomplete
- Learning progress for the in-app lessons
3. Voice Input (Optional Feature)
The App includes an optional voice-to-text feature that allows you to speak in Santali and have your speech converted to text. When you choose to use this feature:
- Audio is recorded only while you actively hold or activate the voice input button.
- The audio recording is sent to Sarvam AI, a third-party speech recognition service, solely for the purpose of transcribing your speech into Santali (or other supported Indian languages) text.
- The recording is not stored by us on any server we control.
- Sarvam AI's handling of your audio is governed by their own privacy policy, available at https://www.sarvam.ai/privacy.
If you do not wish to use voice input, you can simply refrain from using the microphone button — all other keyboard, dictionary, notepad, and learning features will continue to work fully offline.
4. Permissions Used by the App
The App may request the following device permissions, all of which are used strictly for the feature described:
- Microphone: Required only when you tap the voice input button (see Section 3). The App does not record audio in the background.
- Vibration / Haptics: Used to provide tactile feedback when you press keys on the keyboard.
- Storage: Used only to save your notepad entries, preferences, and offline language data on your own device.
- Clipboard: Used only when you explicitly copy or paste text within the App.
5. Use as a System Keyboard
When you enable Santali Keyboard as a system input method in your device's settings, your operating system (Android or iOS) will warn you that input method editors can read everything you type. We want to be clear: Santali Keyboard does not log, store, or transmit the text you type in other apps. All keystroke processing happens on your device.
6. Children's Privacy
The App is suitable for all ages, including children, and is often used as a learning tool. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Because the App does not collect personal information from any user, no special action is needed by parents.
7. Third-Party Services
The App uses the following third-party services. We only share with them what is strictly necessary to provide the feature:
- Sarvam AI — for the optional voice-to-text feature. See Sarvam AI Privacy Policy.
- Expo / Google Play Services — standard mobile platform services for app delivery and updates. These are governed by Google's and Expo's respective privacy policies.
8. Data Security
We follow industry-standard practices to protect any data the App processes:
- All network communication (including voice input to Sarvam AI) uses encrypted HTTPS connections.
- Data stored on your device is contained within the App's sandboxed storage area, which is protected by your device's operating system.
9. Your Rights and Choices
- Uninstall the App: Uninstalling the App removes all locally stored data (notepad content, settings, and learning progress).
- Disable Voice Input: You can revoke microphone permission at any time from your device settings.
- Disable System Keyboard: You can disable or remove Santali Keyboard as a system input method from your device's keyboard settings at any time.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be communicated through the App or the Google Play Store listing.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the Santali Keyboard app, please contact us at:
Email: mahersapps@gmail.com