Last updated: 16 July 2026
OpenKanji ("the app") is an offline-first Android application for learning Japanese kanji. This policy explains what data the app does and does not handle.
Summary
- No account is required. OpenKanji has no login and does not ask for your name, email, or any personal identifier.
- Your learning data stays on your device. Your study progress, review schedule, and settings are stored locally and are never uploaded to us.
- No analytics or tracking SDKs are included by the developer.
- The app works fully offline for its core features.
Data the app stores on your device
The following are stored locally only and never transmitted to the developer:
- Spaced-repetition review state (which kanji/words you've studied and when they are next due).
- App settings (theme, font, handwriting strictness, reminder preference).
You can erase all of this at any time by clearing the app's storage or uninstalling the app.
Handwriting recognition
Handwriting practice and "draw to search" use Google ML Kit Digital Ink Recognition, which runs on your device. The first time you use it, the app downloads a Japanese recognition model over the internet. Your drawings are processed locally and are not sent to the developer. Google's handling of ML Kit is governed by Google's own terms and privacy policy.
Photo & camera (text recognition)
The "Analyze" feature can read Japanese text from a photo you take or pick. This uses Google ML Kit text recognition, which runs on your device — the recognition model ships with the app, so no download or network is needed. Your images are processed locally, are not uploaded to the developer, and are not stored beyond the recognition step.
Translation
The app can translate meanings, example sentences, and analyzed text into your language using Google ML Kit on-device translation. The first time you use a given language, the app downloads a small (~30 MB) translation model over the internet; after that, translation works fully offline. The text being translated is processed locally and is not sent to the developer.
Advertising
This section applies only if/when ads are enabled in a released version.
If the app displays ads, it uses Google AdMob. AdMob may collect and use certain data (such as device identifiers) to serve and measure ads, as described in Google's Privacy Policy. Where required, the app presents a consent prompt (Google User Messaging Platform) so you can control personalized advertising. Ads, if present, are shown sparingly and never during study or practice.
Network access
The app connects to the internet only to download on-device models the first time they're needed — the handwriting recognition model and per-language translation models — and, if ads are enabled, to request and display ads and show the consent form. No other data leaves your device.
Children's privacy
OpenKanji does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone, including children.
Changes to this policy
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted here with a new "last updated" date.
Contact
For questions about this policy, contact: thebasementcoders@gmail.com
← The Basement Coders