Privacy Policy

Words Finder · Last updated: November 4, 2026

This policy explains what information the Words Finder app for iPhone and iPad (the “App”) uses, why, who it is shared with, and what choices you have.

Who is responsible

The App is developed by Bernard Bijoch, an independent developer based in Poland (“I”, “me”). I am the controller of personal data processed in connection with the App. You can contact me at any time at bbijoch@gmail.com.

In short

• There are no accounts and I run no servers for the App. The dictionaries are part of the App, and word searches happen entirely on your device; the letters you type are never sent to me.
• If you choose to check a word in an online dictionary, that dictionary’s website receives the word and your IP address.
• Since version 1.2, the App uses Firebase (Google Analytics and Crashlytics) to understand how the App is used and to fix crashes. Where the law requires it, Google Analytics is used only with your consent.
• The free version shows ads from Google AdMob. Where the law requires it, the App (since version 1.2) asks for your consent first, and you can change your choice in the App at any time. You can remove ads with an in-app purchase.

Searching for words

The word lists for all languages are included in the App, and the letters and filters you enter are processed only on your device. Your settings, such as the selected language, the number of results, letter points and the addresses of online dictionaries, are stored only on your device. None of this information is sent to me.

Online dictionaries

When you tap a word, the App opens the website of a third-party dictionary for that language, for example Collins Dictionary for English or sjp.pl for Polish. Since version 1.2 the page opens in Safari inside the App (SFSafariViewController), which the App cannot look into, and no ads from the App are shown over it; earlier versions show the page in a browser view inside the App and do not read it either. The word you check is sent to that website as part of the address, and the website receives your IP address and information about your device and may use cookies, under its own privacy policy.

Analytics and crash reports

Since version 1.2, the App uses Google Analytics for Firebase and Firebase Crashlytics. They record how the App is used, such as how often it is opened, which screens are shown and whether the purchase that removes ads was made, and technical details of crashes, together with a random identifier of your App installation, your device model, system version, App version, language and approximate country derived from your IP address. I use this information to fix errors and improve the App. It is not linked to your name or contact details, and it does not include the letters or words you search for. Google processes it on my behalf under the Firebase data processing terms.

Your consent. If you are in the EEA, the UK or Switzerland, Google Analytics collects nothing until you answer the consent message described under Advertising, and then only for the purposes you agree to. Crash reports are collected regardless, because they are needed to keep the App working; they do not contain your advertising identifier.

Analytics data is kept for no longer than 14 months, and crash data for a limited time; see Firebase’s privacy information.

Advertising

The free version of the App shows a banner ad provided by Google AdMob, a service of Google. Since version 1.2, a full-screen ad may also appear when you close a word’s definition, at most once every few minutes. If you buy the in-app purchase that removes ads, no further ads are requested.

To deliver ads, the Google Mobile Ads SDK may collect and process:

• your IP address, which can indicate your approximate location;
• device and operating-system information, such as model, system version, language and screen size;
• information about the App and about the ads you see and tap;
• your device’s advertising identifier (IDFA), only if you allow tracking, see below.

Google uses this data to show ads, limit how often you see the same ad, measure ad performance, detect fraud and abuse, and, where permitted, personalise ads. Google acts as an independent controller of this data under its own Privacy Policy. You can read how Google uses information from apps that use its services at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and manage ad personalisation at myadcenter.google.com.

Consent in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland. Since version 1.2, when you open the App in these regions, it shows a consent message from Google’s User Messaging Platform, a consent management platform certified under the IAB Europe Transparency & Consent Framework. There you choose whether Google and its advertising partners may store and access information on your device, show you personalised ads and measure them, and whether Google Analytics may be used. No ads are requested before you answer. You can review or change your choices at any time with “Privacy settings” in the App’s settings (the gear icon). If you do not consent, Google may show only non-personalised or limited ads, which are not based on your activity in other apps or on websites. Earlier versions do not show this message, so in these regions they receive only non-personalised or limited ads.

US state privacy laws. Since version 1.2, if you live in a US state with a consumer privacy law, “Privacy settings” in the App’s settings lets you opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information for targeted advertising.

Advertising identifier. Since version 1.2, the App may ask for your permission to track you (App Tracking Transparency): in the regions above after the consent message, if you allowed storing information on your device, and elsewhere when you first open the App. Only if you allow tracking can Google use your device’s advertising identifier (IDFA); you can change this at any time in iOS Settings › Privacy & Security › Tracking. If you bought the purchase that removes ads, the App shows neither the consent message nor the tracking request. Earlier versions of the App do not ask, so on iOS 14.5 and later the identifier is not available to them. On iOS versions before 14.5 you can limit its use in iOS Settings › Privacy › Advertising.

In-app purchases

In-app purchases are processed by Apple (App Store). I do not receive your payment details; the App only learns whether the purchase that removes ads is active.

Legal bases (GDPR)

• Searching your device’s word lists and opening an online dictionary when you ask for it are necessary to provide the features you choose to use (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR).
• Since version 1.2, in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, Google Analytics, personalised ads and the storing of and access to information on your device for advertising are based on your consent given in the consent message (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and the ePrivacy rules). You can withdraw it at any time in the App’s Privacy settings; this does not affect processing that took place before.
• Crash reports, and the delivery and measurement of non-personalised or limited ads where you have not consented, are based on my legitimate interests in keeping the App working, funding a free app and keeping ads safe (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). You can object to this processing at any time by contacting me, or stop it by deleting the App.

How long data is kept

Data stored on your device stays there until you delete the App. Analytics data is kept for no longer than 14 months, and crash data for a limited time described in Firebase’s privacy information. Data collected by Google for advertising is retained according to Google’s retention policy. Online dictionaries keep data according to their own policies.

Sharing and international transfers

Apart from the online dictionaries you choose to open, the App shares data only with Google, as the advertising and Firebase provider described above, and with Apple for purchases. They are bound by their own privacy policies and data protection terms, which provide protection at least equal to that described in this policy, and may process data outside the European Economic Area, including in the United States, relying on safeguards such as the EU–U.S. Data Privacy Framework and the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses. Online dictionaries are independent of me and process data under their own policies.

Your rights

If you are in the EEA, the UK or Switzerland, you have the right to access, rectify and erase your personal data, to restrict or object to its processing, to data portability and, where processing is based on consent, to withdraw it at any time. Because I do not keep your data on any server of my own, most of these rights can be exercised directly on your device, for example by changing the App’s settings or deleting the App, and with the Google tools linked above. Since version 1.2 you can withdraw or change your consent at any time with “Privacy settings” in the App’s settings. Firebase data is linked only to a random installation identifier, so I usually cannot find it from your request; deleting the App resets that identifier. For any request or question, write to bbijoch@gmail.com; I will reply within one month.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority: in Poland, the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO, ul. Stawki 2, 00-193 Warsaw), or the authority in the country where you live or work.

Children

The App is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13, or under the age of digital consent in your country. I do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data through the App, please contact me.

Security

Data saved by the App is kept in its private storage, protected by your device’s app sandbox. Data sent to Google uses encrypted connections. Online dictionaries are opened at the addresses set in the App, which by default use encrypted connections (HTTPS).

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy when the App changes. The current version is always available on this page, with the date of the last update at the top. If a change significantly affects how your data is used, I will also mention it in the release notes of the App.

Contact

Bernard Bijoch, Poland · bbijoch@gmail.com