Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 3, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how LearnMandarinCantonese.com ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use our website and services.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

When you contact us through our contact form, we collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Subject and message content

Automatically Collected Information

Our web server automatically collects technical information including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring website
• Pages visited and time spent
• Date and time of access

Browser Storage

We use browser localStorage to store:

• Chinese character stroke data for faster loading
• Your sidebar navigation preferences
• Cookie consent choices

This information is stored locally on your device and is not automatically transmitted to our servers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for:

• Communication: Responding to your inquiries and support requests
• Website Operation: Maintaining, securing, and improving our platform
• Security: Preventing fraud, abuse, and security threats
• Analytics: Understanding how users interact with our platform to improve functionality
• Legal Compliance: Fulfilling legal obligations and enforcing our terms

3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Essential Cookies

We use essential cookies to:

• Remember your cookie consent preferences
• Maintain website functionality
• Enable navigation features

Advertising Cookies

We display advertisements through Google AdSense. Google and its advertising partners use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Serve personalized or non-personalized ads
• Measure ad performance
• Prevent fraud

Non-essential advertising cookies are only used after obtaining your consent where required by law (such as GDPR in the EU/UK).

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through:

• Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies
• Google Ads Settings: Manage personalized advertising at adssettings.google.com
• Opt-out Tools: Visit aboutads.info or youronlinechoices.com

4. Third-Party Services

We use third-party services that may collect information:

Google AdSense

Google's privacy practices are governed by their own privacy policy. Learn more at Google Privacy Policy and How Google uses information from sites that use their services.

Hanzi Writer

We use the open-source Hanzi Writer library to display stroke order animations. Character data may be loaded from external sources. Visit hanziwriter.org for more information.

Web Speech API

Audio pronunciation features use your browser's built-in Web Speech API, which may send pronunciation requests to your operating system or cloud-based speech services depending on your device configuration.

5. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information in these circumstances:

• Service Providers: Hosting, security, and technical service providers who help operate our website
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
• Safety & Security: To protect against fraud, abuse, or threats to safety
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Fulfill the purposes for which it was collected
• Resolve disputes and support requests
• Comply with legal obligations
• Maintain security and prevent abuse

Server logs are typically retained for 90 days. Contact form submissions are retained for up to 2 years or until resolved.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:

• Secure server infrastructure
• HTTPS encryption for data transmission
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security monitoring

However, no internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights including:

General Rights

• Access: Request a copy of personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service

EU/UK Residents (GDPR)

If you are in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have additional rights under GDPR/UK GDPR:

• Right to restrict processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of sale (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our Contact Page. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website provides educational content suitable for all ages, including children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so we can delete it.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place when transferring personal information internationally.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through our Contact Page.

13. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For EU/UK users, we process personal information based on:

• Consent: You have given clear consent for specific purposes (e.g., advertising cookies)
• Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g., website security, improvements)
• Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary to comply with the law