Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Sound Throne LLC ("Sound Throne", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use the Sound Throne mobile application (the "App") and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using the Service you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Information We Collect

a. Information you provide

• Account info: email address, password (hashed and stored by Firebase Authentication, never seen by us), display name, U.S. state of residence, optional social handle.
• Submissions: the audio file you upload, song title, artist name, and any optional notes.
• Payment info: card payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. We never see or store your card number, CVC, or expiration date. Stripe returns a charge ID and basic billing details we keep for receipts and refund handling.

b. Information collected automatically

• Device info: device model, operating system version, app version, approximate region (derived from IP, not GPS).
• Crash and diagnostics logs to keep the app running reliably.
• Usage events such as which screens you visit and which buttons you tap, used solely to improve the app.

c. Information from third parties

• Stripe sends us payment confirmations via webhook.
• Apple / Google may share install metadata with us through the app store you used.

We do not collect precise GPS location, contacts, photos, calendar data, health data, or browsing history outside the app.

2. How We Use Information

• Run weekly contests and determine winners.
• Process entry-fee payments and pay out cash prizes.
• Communicate with you (transactional emails, prize notifications, service updates).
• Detect fraud, abuse, and prohibited content.
• Comply with legal obligations (tax forms, sweepstakes regulators).
• Improve the app's performance and features.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data for cross-app advertising.

3. AI Judging Disclosure

Submissions are evaluated by an automated panel built on Google's Gemini large language model. Your audio file URL is sent to Google's Generative AI API for the sole purpose of producing a score and short written verdict. Per Google's policy, paid Gemini API content is not used to train Google's models.

You retain ownership of your audio. By submitting, you grant Sound Throne a non-exclusive license to play, display, and distribute your submission inside the app and on Sound Throne's official social channels for promotional purposes only.

4. Sharing

• Service providers under contract: Firebase (Google), Stripe, Expo, and analytics tooling. They may only use your data to provide services to us.
• Legal compliance: when required by subpoena, court order, or law, or to enforce our Terms.
• Business transfers: if Sound Throne is acquired or merged, your information may transfer to the successor entity.
• With your consent: e.g., when you choose to publish a submission publicly inside the app's leaderboard or Hall of Fame.

We never share your email, password, or payment details with other users.

5. Data Retention

• Account data: kept while your account is active. Delete your account at any time by emailing support@soundthrone.studio.
• Submissions: kept indefinitely as part of the public Hall of Fame unless you request removal.
• Payment records: kept seven (7) years for tax and audit purposes.
• Diagnostic logs: kept up to 90 days.

6. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate data.
• Delete your account and associated data.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Receive a copy of your data in a portable format.
• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email support@soundthrone.studio.

California residents: under the CCPA you have additional rights including the right to know what we collect, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of "sales" (we do not sell).

Children: Sound Throne is not directed to children under 18 and we do not knowingly collect data from them. If you believe a child has created an account, contact us and we will delete it.

7. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards including TLS in transit, hashed passwords, encrypted storage at rest (Firebase / Google Cloud), and strict server-side access rules. No system is perfectly secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security but we work hard to protect you.

8. International Users

Sound Throne is operated from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the U.S., your data will be transferred to and stored in the U.S., where data-protection laws may differ from those in your country.

9. Changes To This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be announced inside the app or by email. Continued use of the Service after a change means you accept the updated Policy.

10. Contact

Sound Throne LLC
Email: support@soundthrone.studio