Effective date: 14 March 2026 Last updated: 10 August 2025
Syllable Reader (“we”, “us”, “the Extension”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information in connection with the SyllableReader browser extension and website, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
1. Controller
Controller: Syllable Reader Contact: support@syllablereader.com Website: syllablereader.com
2. What data we process
2a. The extension — reading content
SyllableReader processes text on webpages locally within your browser. No content that you read is ever transmitted to our servers. All text-to-speech, highlighting, syllable breakdown, and reading tools operate entirely on your device. We do not collect, store or transmit the text or content of any webpage you visit, your browsing history, or any audio captured by Tutoring Mode or Listen & Highlight.
2b. The extension — settings and preferences
User preferences (highlight colour, reading speed, font settings, feature states) are stored locally using your browser’s built-in storage. These remain on your device and are not accessible to us. Custom Words Dictionary entries (Elite) are stored using your browser’s sync storage and may sync across your own signed-in browser instances — we do not have access to this data.
2c. Licence key activation
When you subscribe to Pro or Elite and activate a licence key, the extension sends the following to our licence validation server: your licence key (to verify it is valid), a one-way hash of your device fingerprint (browser type, OS, and hardware identifiers — hashed so the original cannot be reconstructed), and the activation timestamp. This information is stored to confirm the key is valid, enforce the 2-device activation limit, and detect licence sharing fraud. We do not store your IP address permanently — it may appear in server access logs retained for up to 30 days, after which logs are deleted automatically. We do not store your payment card details — all payments are processed by Stripe.
2d. Website
Our website may use standard analytics to understand traffic. This may involve cookies. A cookie notice will be displayed on first visit.
3. Lawful basis for processing
| Processing activity | Lawful basis |
| Licence key validation and device fingerprint | Contract — necessary to provide the purchased service |
| Fraud detection via activation log | Legitimate interests — preventing licence key sharing |
| Settings stored locally | Contract — necessary to provide the functionality requested |
4. Data retention
| Data | Retention period |
| Licence and activation records | Retained for the duration of the subscription plus 12 months after cancellation |
| Server access logs | Deleted automatically after 30 days |
| Payment records | Held by Stripe per their own retention policy |
5. Sharing and transfers
We do not sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. We use the following sub-processors:
| Provider | Purpose | Location |
| Supabase | Database (licence records) | EU |
| Stripe | Payment processing | USA (Standard Contractual Clauses apply) |
| Vercel | Serverless API functions | Global CDN |
6. Your rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to: access data we hold about you · request correction of inaccurate data · request erasure · restrict processing · receive your data in a portable format · object to processing based on legitimate interests. To exercise any right, contact support@syllablereader.com. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Children’s privacy
SyllableReader is suitable for use by children under adult or institutional supervision. The extension does not collect personal data about users of any age during normal use. If you believe a child’s data has been processed in error, contact support@syllablereader.com.
8. Security
Licence validation is performed over HTTPS. Device fingerprints are stored as one-way hashes and cannot be reversed. Our database enforces row-level security so that only validated server-side functions can read or write records.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our practices change. Updates will be posted here with an updated effective date. Continued use of the extension after changes constitutes acceptance.
10. Contact & complaints
For questions: support@syllablereader.com
To make a complaint to the regulator: UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk