Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2026 · Applies to SpeakSync for iOS, iPadOS, and Android, and to SpeakSync Teleprompter for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

SpeakSync and SpeakSync Teleprompter are developed by Malcolm Taylor. This policy explains what data SpeakSync collects, how it is used, and your rights. The short version: SpeakSync collects almost nothing, shares nothing, and respects your privacy across every platform.

Speech Recognition

SpeakSync uses platform-native speech recognition to match your spoken words to your script.

On iOS and iPadOS — Speech is processed entirely on your device using Apple's on-device speech framework. Your voice is never transmitted to any server.
On Android — Speech is processed using Google's speech recognition engine. For your device's default language, recognition typically works offline. For other languages, speech data may be processed by Google's servers. Google's privacy policy governs how they handle speech data.

The microphone is only active when you are actively using the Prompter with voice tracking enabled. It is never active in the Library, the Editor, or when the app is in the background.

SpeakSync Teleprompter for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

SpeakSync Teleprompter is available as both a Microsoft Word add-in and a Microsoft PowerPoint add-in. Each presents your document or presentation as a voice-tracked teleprompter, and both work together with the SpeakSync Helper companion app, which runs on your computer.

Document and slide content — The add-ins read the text content of your current Word document or PowerPoint presentation solely to display it in the teleprompter. Your content is not stored, transmitted, or shared beyond your local computer.
Speech recognition — All speech recognition is performed on your device by the SpeakSync Helper companion app. Your voice audio is never sent to any external server.
Settings — Your display preferences (font, size, colours) are stored in your browser's local storage within the Office WebView. They never leave your device.
No telemetry — Neither add-in contains analytics, crash reporting, or tracking of any kind.

Your Scripts and Stories

Your scripts are stored locally on your device. They never leave your device unless you explicitly choose to:

Enable Cloud Sync (off by default) — your stories sync to your own private account. On Apple devices, this uses iCloud via CloudKit. On Android, this uses Google Sign-In via Firebase. Only you can access this data. We have no access to it.
Export a story — you choose where to send it using your device's share options.

Cloud Sync

When Cloud Sync is enabled in Settings, your stories are stored in your personal private database:

Apple devices — Stories sync via iCloud CloudKit, associated with your Apple ID. Apple's privacy policy governs how Apple handles iCloud data.
Android — Stories sync via Google Firebase, associated with your Google account. Google's privacy policy governs how Google handles this data.

Cloud Sync is disabled by default on all platforms. You can enable or disable it at any time in SpeakSync Settings.

Analytics and Tracking

SpeakSync contains no analytics, no crash reporting services, no advertising SDKs, and no third-party tracking of any kind. We do not know how many people use the app, how often they use it, or what they do with it.

Diagnostic Logs

SpeakSync includes an optional Debug Mode (off by default) that records voice tracking activity to a local log file on your device. This log is never transmitted automatically. You can export it manually via the share sheet if you choose to send it for support purposes. Logs are stored in your app's private sandbox and are deleted when the app is uninstalled.

Permissions

SpeakSync requests the following device permissions:

Microphone — Required for voice tracking in the Prompter. Not used elsewhere.
Speech Recognition (iOS) — Required for voice tracking. Processing is on-device.
Do Not Disturb (Android, optional) — Allows SpeakSync to automatically silence notifications during presentations.
Cloud Sync (optional) — iCloud on Apple devices, Google Sign-In on Android. Required only if you enable sync in Settings.

You can revoke any permission at any time in your device Settings. Revoking microphone access will disable voice tracking; other app features continue to work normally.

Children's Privacy

SpeakSync does not knowingly collect any personal information from anyone, including children under 13.

Changes to This Policy

If this policy changes materially, we will update the date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Contact us at support@speaksync.app.