The short version
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There is no account and no sign-in. We do not ask for your name, email address or phone number to use the app.
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The app gives your installation a random identifier so that your listening progress can be saved and restored. That identifier is not linked to you as a person.
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We do not show advertising, we do not use third-party analytics or tracking, and we do not sell or share data with anyone.
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Audio files you download are stored privately on your device and are not shared.
What the app stores, and where
On your device
- The audiobooks, letters and messages you download, kept in the app's private storage.
- Your listening positions, listening history and settings (such as app language and appearance).
- A random anonymous identifier for your installation, kept in the device's secure storage (iOS Keychain, Android secure storage). On iOS it may be shared between your own devices through iCloud Keychain; on Android it may be included in your Google backup, so a reinstall can restore it.
On our servers
We run a small service on Microsoft Azure (United States) that keeps a copy of your listening state so it can be restored on the same device after a reinstall or shared with another device you choose to link. Under your anonymous identifier we store:
- listening positions and listening history for each title, including when a title was started and finished;
- which titles were downloaded or deleted, and when;
- your app settings that sync between devices (for example appearance and book language);
- basic device information sent with each check-in: a random per-installation device identifier, platform (iOS or Android), operating system version, app version, the device's language setting and the language the app displays;
- the linking codes you create when you link another device (valid for ten minutes) and the list of devices in your linked group.
None of this identifies you personally. We do not store your IP address; a limited, hashed form of it is kept briefly only to rate-limit the app's administrative sign-in and device-linking endpoints.
Book requests
If you use "Request a book" in the More screen, you choose to send us the title, author and language you would like, and an email address so we can reply. That is the only place the app asks for an email address, and it is used only to respond to your request.
Why we store it
- To remember where you are in each title and to let you continue on another device.
- To understand, in aggregate, which titles are downloaded and finished and which languages the app is used in, so we know what to record and translate next.
- To keep the service working: the required app version check, download and linking limits.
We do not use this information for advertising, profiling or any purpose other than running Nightingale.
Sharing
We do not sell, rent or share this information with third parties. It is processed on Microsoft Azure under Microsoft's data-processing terms, which act as our hosting provider only. We would disclose information only if required by law.
Children
Nightingale is suitable for all ages. Because there is no account and no personal information is collected, the app treats every listener the same way, whatever their age.
Your choices
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Removing a device from a linked group
More > Devices > Remove. That device receives a fresh anonymous identifier and its listening state starts again on the server; downloads stay on the device.
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Deleting local data
Uninstalling the app deletes the downloaded audio and the local listening state on that device.
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Deleting server data
Write to the address below quoting the anonymous identifier shown in More > Devices, and we will delete the records held under it.
Retention
Listening state is kept for as long as the installation keeps checking in, so it can be restored. Records not seen for two years may be deleted. Book requests are kept until they are answered and then removed.
Security
The app talks to our servers over HTTPS only. Server data is held in a private database reachable only from our service. Downloaded audio is kept in app-private storage that other apps cannot read.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the new version will be published at this address with a new effective date.