Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Topic Hero is an AI-powered debate app where users debate curated topics one-to-one and in local hot-seat and recorded modes. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices available to you.

We collect only the data we need to run the Service, protect it with encryption and industry-standard security, and we do NOT sell your personal data. Data Controller: Topic Hero Limited, London, United Kingdom. Contact: admin@topichero.co.uk. Jurisdiction: England and Wales (UK), with GDPR (UK/EU) and CCPA (California) rights described below.

2. Information We Collect

Data you provide. Account data: your Topic Hero ID (username), optional display name, email address, date of birth (used only to confirm you are 18 or over), and password (stored only as a bcrypt hash, never in plain text). Optional profile data: bio and profile picture. Debate content: the arguments and transcripts you produce during debates.

Data collected automatically. Basic device and app information (operating system, app version, device model) and crash diagnostics used to keep the app stable, and usage data (debates played, topics swiped, features used) used to run rankings and improve the Service.

We do NOT build cross-app advertising profiles and we do NOT use your device advertising identifier (IDFA / Advertising ID) to track you across other apps. If you use third-party sign-in, such as Google or Apple, we receive only the authentication information needed to create or access your account.

3. Camera, Microphone and Recorded Debates

When you use Record Debate, Topic Hero uses your device camera and microphone to record a video of your debate. This recording is created and processed ENTIRELY ON YOUR DEVICE - the video file is never uploaded to, stored on, or accessible by our servers.

Only the text transcript of what is said, the debate topic, and the AI verdict are sent to us (to generate the verdict and keep a lightweight record). You choose whether to save the finished video to your device or share it through your phone share sheet; once shared, the receiving app's privacy terms apply. Camera and microphone permissions are requested in-app and can be withdrawn any time in your device settings.

4. AI Processing

To run debates, two kinds of data are sent over an encrypted (TLS 1.2+) connection to OpenAI, which acts as our data processor: (a) short audio clips of each spoken turn are transcribed to text (speech-to-text); and (b) the resulting text transcripts are analysed to determine the winner and generate an explanation (the AI verdict).

No account identifiers (name, email, profile) are sent unless you type them into your own argument. We have a Data Processing Agreement with OpenAI. See the OpenAI privacy policy at https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy.

5. Advertising (Google AdMob)

Topic Hero shows ads through Google AdMob to keep the core app free. We request NON-PERSONALISED ads only: we do not use your advertising identifier to profile you or target you across other apps.

In the UK, EEA and Switzerland we present a Google-certified consent form before any ad loads, and ads respect your choice. Ads are never shown during video recording. We do not sell your personal data.

6. How We Use Your Data

We process your data to: create and secure your account; verify you are 18 or over; run debates, matchmaking, rankings and leaderboards; generate AI verdicts; provide in-app chat; send transactional emails (verification, password reset) and, where you have not opted out, product notifications; moderate content and prevent abuse; and comply with legal obligations.

Legal bases (GDPR): performance of our contract with you; our legitimate interests in improving and securing the Service; your consent (for optional marketing and, in the UK/EEA, for personalised-ad choices via the consent form); and legal obligation.

7. Who We Share Data With

We share data only with the service providers that operate the Service, each under a Data Processing Agreement: Google Cloud (Cloud Run hosting and Cloud Storage for profile pictures); MongoDB Atlas (encrypted database hosting); OpenAI (speech-to-text and AI verdict, text and per-turn audio only); Twilio SendGrid (transactional email delivery); Stream / GetStream.io (in-app chat messaging); Google Firebase (push notifications and crash reporting); and Google AdMob (non-personalised advertising). Google and Apple provide optional sign-in.

We do not share your data with advertising data brokers, and we do not sell it. We may disclose data where required by law (a court order or legal obligation) and will notify you where permitted.

8. Security

All data in transit is encrypted with TLS 1.2+. Data at rest in our database and object storage is encrypted by our cloud providers. Passwords are hashed with bcrypt. Access to personal data is restricted and logged.

If a breach affects your personal data, we will notify you and the relevant regulator (for example the UK ICO) within 72 hours as required by law.

9. Your Rights (UK / EEA - GDPR)

You have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict, port, and object to the processing of your personal data, and to withdraw consent at any time. You can edit your profile in Settings, delete your account in Settings, or email admin@topichero.co.uk. We respond within 30 days.

You may lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk) or your local data protection authority.

10. Your Rights (California - CCPA)

California residents may request to know what personal information we collect, request deletion, request correction, and limit the use of sensitive information. We do NOT sell or share personal information for cross-context behavioural advertising.

To exercise these rights, email admin@topichero.co.uk. We will not discriminate against you for exercising them.

11. Children and Age Restrictions

Topic Hero is for users aged 18 and over. Registration requires a date of birth, and we do not knowingly allow under-18s to use the Service or knowingly collect their data.

If you believe a minor has registered, contact admin@topichero.co.uk and we will delete the account.

12. International Transfers

Topic Hero is based in the UK. Some processors (OpenAI, Google, Twilio SendGrid, Stream) process data in the USA. Where required, such transfers are made under UK/EU Standard Contractual Clauses or an equivalent approved safeguard.

13. Data Retention

We keep account data for the life of your account and delete personal data within 30 days of account deletion, except where we must retain limited records for legal, tax, or fraud-prevention reasons.

Recorded-debate videos are never held by us - they exist only on your device. Anonymised, aggregated statistics may be kept indefinitely.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal or product changes. Material changes will be notified in-app or by email. The last updated date above shows the current version.

15. Contact Us

For privacy questions or requests, contact us at admin@topichero.co.uk.

Operator: Topic Hero Limited, London, United Kingdom. topichero.co.uk/contact-us