PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated January 01, 2024

Privacy Policy for BuddyQuest STEM

Effective date: August 19, 2026

Last updated: August 19, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Academy4Tech ("Academy4Tech," "we," "us," or "our") handles information in BuddyQuest STEM, an Android educational application that helps students learn Python, mathematics, physics, biology, and integrated STEM through lessons, quizzes, interactive graphs, notes, challenges, and a learning companion called Buddy.

Academy4Tech is a personal, non-profit educational initiative based in the United Arab Emirates. It is not a commercial company. Our website is https://www.academy4tech.com.

By using BuddyQuest STEM, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy. Parents and guardians should review this policy with younger learners.

1. Summary

BuddyQuest STEM does not require an account or login.

Academy4Tech does not request a user's legal name, email address, phone number, address, payment information, contacts, photos, camera, microphone, or precise location through the app.

Learning progress, a chosen nickname, interests, achievements, reminders, notes, and drawings are primarily stored on the user's device.

Android may include local app data in the user's encrypted device transfer or cloud backup, depending on the user's Android and Google account settings.

When a learner asks Buddy to perform an online factual lookup, the typed question is sent to Wikipedia's public API. Offline Buddy answers do not send the question to Academy4Tech.

The current version contains one clearly labelled Google AdMob Native Advanced advertisement at the end of the Home screen. Ad requests are configured for child age treatment and a maximum content rating of G. Personalized advertising and remarketing are disabled for child-treated requests.

Google Mobile Ads still automatically processes limited technical and advertising data, described below.

Academy4Tech does not sell children's personal information or use learning progress to create advertising profiles.

2. Information stored locally on the device

BuddyQuest STEM stores information needed to provide the learning experience. This may include:

a nickname chosen in the app;

selected learning interests and preferred subject;

completed lessons, answers, scores, current level, XP, streaks, time spent, achievements, and daily challenge status;

typed notes, note titles, freehand drawings, and note subject categories;

reminder time, reminder text, and app settings such as sound, Buddy visibility, and reduced motion.

This information is stored in the app's private Room database and Android DataStore. Academy4Tech does not operate an account server and normally cannot view this local information.

Users can delete individual notes in the app. A user or parent can remove all local BuddyQuest data by using Android Settings > Apps > BuddyQuest STEM > Storage > Clear storage/data, or by uninstalling the app. Data included in an Android backup may remain according to the user's Google backup settings and Google's retention practices.

3. Python code and interactive labs

The Python Lab provides a restricted educational evaluator for supported lesson examples. Code entered in the lab is processed locally and is not uploaded to Academy4Tech. The app does not grant student code unrestricted access to operating-system commands, personal files, contacts, camera, microphone, precise location, passwords, or arbitrary network connections.

Learners should not type personal, private, confidential, or sensitive information into the Python Lab, notes, reminder text, or Buddy questions.

4. Buddy learning companion and online factual lookups

Buddy provides bundled offline explanations and calculations. Offline responses are processed on the device.

For factual questions, Buddy may use the public Wikipedia API when an internet connection is available. In that case:

the typed question, limited to 180 characters for the search request, is sent over HTTPS to Wikipedia/Wikimedia;

Wikipedia returns a short attributed summary and source link;

Wikimedia may receive the device's IP address and standard connection information and may process the query under the Wikimedia Foundation Privacy Policy.

Academy4Tech does not maintain a server-side history of Wikipedia questions. A question should not contain a real name, email address, phone number, home address, school name, password, medical information, or other sensitive information.

The public release described by this policy does not have a third-party generative-AI backend configured. If Academy4Tech later enables such a service, we will update this policy and any required in-app disclosures before that feature is released. A separately built version configured by a parent or organization may send the question and recent conversation context to that organization's HTTPS tutor service; that organization is responsible for providing additional privacy information for its service.

5. Advertising and Google Mobile Ads

BuddyQuest STEM uses Google AdMob through the Google Mobile Ads SDK. The app displays one Native Advanced ad after the Home screen's learning content. Ads do not appear inside lessons, quizzes, level completion, Buddy chat, Python Lab, Graph Lab, notes, reminders, or navigation transitions.

The app configures Google Mobile Ads for child age treatment and a maximum ad content rating of G. It also removes Android Advertising ID and Android ad-topics permissions contributed by dependencies. These measures are designed to prevent interest-based advertising and remarketing and to limit ads to general-audience content.

According to Google's current Mobile Ads SDK disclosure, the SDK may automatically collect and share:

IP address, which may be used to estimate approximate location;

app and ad interactions, such as app launches, taps, impressions, and video views;

diagnostic and performance information, such as launch time, hangs, and energy usage; and

device or account-related identifiers supported by the SDK, such as an app set identifier. BuddyQuest removes permission to use the Android Advertising ID.

Google states that this information may be used for advertising, analytics, and fraud prevention and is encrypted in transit. Google processes this information under its own policies, including Google's Privacy Policy and How Google uses information from sites or apps that use its services.

Academy4Tech does not provide lesson progress, notes, drawings, Python code, or Buddy questions to AdMob for advertising profiles.

6. Notifications

If a user enables a study reminder, BuddyQuest requests Android notification permission where required. The reminder time and custom message are stored locally. The permission is used only to show the requested study reminder. BuddyQuest does not use notifications for third-party advertising.

7. Device text-to-speech

BuddyQuest can read Buddy messages and notes aloud using the text-to-speech engine installed on the device. BuddyQuest does not record the user's voice and does not request microphone access. A device's text-to-speech provider may process text according to that provider's settings and privacy policy; parents may select or disable the provider in Android settings.

8. Android backup and device transfer

BuddyQuest permits Android's standard backup and device-transfer systems to include the app's private database and preferences. This can help restore progress and notes on a replacement device. Academy4Tech does not directly access these backups. Backup availability, encryption, retention, and deletion are controlled by Android, the device manufacturer, and the user's Google account settings.

9. External educational links

BuddyQuest contains links to educational websites, including Python documentation, OpenStax, NASA, PhET, Wikipedia, and other cited sources. These links open in the user's browser. External websites have their own content, terms, cookies, and privacy practices. Academy4Tech does not control those websites. Younger learners should open external links with a parent, guardian, or teacher.

10. Information received when you contact us

If a user, parent, or guardian voluntarily emails info@academy4tech.com, Academy4Tech receives the sender's email address and message content. We use this information to respond, handle privacy or support requests, maintain security, and meet legitimate legal obligations. We retain it only as long as reasonably necessary for those purposes.

Children should ask a parent or guardian to contact us on their behalf and should not email personal information directly.

11. Data sharing

Academy4Tech does not sell or rent personal information and does not sell children's personal information. Information may be processed by:

Google, for child-treated ad delivery, measurement, diagnostics, security, fraud prevention, Android backup, and Google Play distribution;

Wikimedia Foundation, when a user requests an online Wikipedia factual lookup;

the user's device text-to-speech provider, if read-aloud is used;

website hosting, email, security, or infrastructure providers when needed to operate Academy4Tech's website and respond to requests; and

legal authorities when disclosure is required by applicable law or valid legal process.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to protect users, investigate abuse, or protect the security and legal rights of Academy4Tech or others.

12. Analytics

BuddyQuest STEM does not include Firebase Analytics or a separate general-purpose behavioral analytics SDK. Google Mobile Ads processes limited interaction and diagnostic information for advertising, analytics, and fraud prevention as explained in Section 5. Academy4Tech does not use learning records to track a learner across apps or websites.

13. Data retention and deletion

Local learning data remains until it is deleted in the app, cleared through Android settings, removed during uninstall, or affected by the user's Android backup settings.

Academy4Tech does not keep a server-side copy of local progress or notes.

Online factual queries are not retained by Academy4Tech, but Wikimedia may retain connection or request records under its own policy.

Ad-related information is retained by Google under Google's policies and applicable settings.

Support emails are retained only as long as reasonably necessary to resolve the request or satisfy legitimate administrative, security, or legal needs.

Because BuddyQuest does not provide accounts, there is no BuddyQuest account to delete. Parents may contact us for assistance at info@academy4tech.com with the subject BuddyQuest Privacy Request.

14. Children's privacy

BuddyQuest STEM is designed for school-age learners, including children. We follow a data-minimization approach and do not intentionally ask children for unnecessary personal information. The app does not include public profiles, direct messaging between users, public chat, multiplayer communication, or social sharing.

Child-treated ad requests are configured to disable personalized advertising and remarketing. We do not knowingly use children's personal information for behavioral advertising or commercial profiling.

If a parent or guardian believes a child has sent personal information to Academy4Tech or through an online feature, please contact info@academy4tech.com with the subject Child Privacy Request. We will review the request and take action required by applicable law. Information handled independently by Google, Wikimedia, Android backup, or another provider may also require a request to that provider.

15. Parent and guardian rights

Depending on applicable law, a parent or guardian may have the right to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, or information about personal data associated with their child. Because Academy4Tech does not maintain user accounts and normally cannot access on-device data, the fastest way to delete local information is through the app and Android settings as described in Section 2.

Requests may be sent to info@academy4tech.com with the subject Child Privacy Request. We may request reasonable verification that the requester is authorized to act for the child.

16. Security

BuddyQuest uses Android private app storage and HTTPS for Wikipedia and any configured remote tutor connection. AdMob states that SDK data is encrypted in transit. The application limits permissions and does not request camera, microphone, contacts, precise location, or broad storage access. No system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and parents should help learners avoid entering sensitive information into free-text fields.

17. International processing

Academy4Tech is based in the United Arab Emirates. Google, Wikimedia, website hosting, email, and other technical providers may process information in the United Arab Emirates, the United States, or other jurisdictions. Their privacy policies describe their international data-transfer safeguards. Applicable privacy rights may vary by location.

18. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, withdrawal of consent, or a copy of personal information. You may also have the right to complain to a competent data-protection authority.

To make a request, email info@academy4tech.com with the subject BuddyQuest Privacy Request. We will respond as required by applicable law. This section does not limit rights available under applicable law.

19. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when BuddyQuest features, service providers, legal obligations, or data practices change. The revised policy will show a new "Last updated" date. Where required, we will provide additional notice before a material change takes effect.

20. Contact us

Academy4Tech

United Arab Emirates

Website: https://www.academy4tech.com

Email: info@academy4tech.com

For child privacy matters, use the subject: Child Privacy Request.

For other BuddyQuest privacy matters, use the subject: BuddyQuest Privacy Request.

This document is a practical privacy-policy draft based on BuddyQuest STEM version 1.4.1. It should be reviewed whenever the app, SDK versions, advertising configuration, online tutor, or target countries change. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified lawyer.