Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 20, 2026

CodeStart (“we”, “our”, or “the App”) is developed and operated by Vinayak Ramesh Sutar. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your information when you use the CodeStart application (primarily available on Android, with backend support for web and iOS).

By using CodeStart, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

A. Account & Profile Information

• Full name

• Email address

• Profile photo

• Google ID (from Google Sign-In)

B. User Content

• Chat sessions and conversation history

• Your answers and inputs provided during AI tutoring sessions

C. Device & Technical Information

• Device tokens (for push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging)

• IP address

• User agent

• Usage logs and analytics data

D. Automatically Collected Data

• Information collected by our servers and third-party services (including Firebase and advertising partners) for security, performance, and advertising purposes.

2. How We Collect Information

• Google Sign-In: When you sign in with your Google account.

• User Input: Information you actively provide (name, chat messages, answers, etc.).

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) SDK: For device tokens and push notifications.

• Automatic Server-Side Collection: IP address, user agent, and usage logs.

• Gemini AI Processing: Your chat sessions and answers are processed by Google’s Gemini AI to provide tutoring responses.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Authentication and account management

• Providing AI-powered tutoring and generating responses

• Managing chat sessions and conversation history

• Sending push notifications

• Security, fraud prevention, and abuse detection

• Improving the App’s performance, features, and user experience

• Displaying advertisements

4. Sharing of Your Information

We do not sell your personal data.

We share information with the following third parties only as necessary to operate the App:

• Google (Sign-In, Gemini, Firebase) — for authentication, AI processing, push notifications, and analytics

• MongoDB — for cloud database hosting

• Advertising Partners — for displaying ads

These third parties process data according to their own privacy policies. Your chat content is sent to Google’s Gemini service to generate AI responses.

5. Advertising

CodeStart displays advertisements. Advertising partners may collect device identifiers, IP address, and usage data to show relevant ads. You can manage ad preferences through your device settings (e.g., resetting your advertising ID on Android).

6. Data Storage

• Cloud: Your account data, chat sessions, and related information are stored on our servers using MongoDB and Firebase services.

• Local Device: Authentication tokens and limited temporary data may be stored on your device.

7. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights:

• Access & Export: You can export your chat history (per language).

• Correction: You can update your profile information.

• Deletion: You can reset chat history, unregister devices, or permanently delete your account.

• Opt-out of certain processing: Contact us for assistance regarding analytics or advertising preferences where available.

To exercise these rights, contact us at the email below or use the available options inside the App.

9. Children’s Privacy

CodeStart is intended for general users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it.

10. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored on servers located outside your country of residence (including services operated by Google and MongoDB). By using the App, you consent to such transfers.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy in the App and updating the “Effective Date.” Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of India.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:

Vinayak Ramesh Sutar

Email: vrssutar@gmail.com