Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2024

1. Introduction

CORDOC LLC ("we," "our," or "us") operates Free Voice Reader (freevoicereader.com). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our products:

  • FreeVoice Reader Web App (freevoicereader.com)
  • FreeVoice Reader Chrome Extension
  • FreeVoice Reader Mac App

Chrome Extension Privacy

The FreeVoice Reader Chrome Extension is designed with privacy as a core principle. All processing happens locally on your device.

Data We Do NOT Collect

  • We do NOT collect any text you convert to speech
  • We do NOT collect any audio recordings from speech-to-text
  • We do NOT track your browsing activity
  • We do NOT use analytics or tracking
  • We do NOT require any account or sign-up

Local Processing

  • Text-to-speech uses the Kokoro TTS model running entirely in your browser
  • Speech-to-text uses OpenAI's Whisper model running entirely in your browser
  • AI models are downloaded once and cached locally for offline use
  • Your text and voice never leave your device

Data Stored Locally

  • User preferences (voice selection, speed, volume) stored in browser local storage
  • AI model files cached in browser storage (~130MB total)

Remote Resources

The extension downloads AI model files from Hugging Face (huggingface.co) on first use. These are static binary model weights, not executable code. After download, the extension works completely offline.

Permissions Explained

  • activeTab: Read selected text from the current page when you activate the extension
  • contextMenus: Add "Read with FreeVoice" to the right-click menu
  • storage: Save your preferences locally
  • offscreen: Run AI models in a background document
  • scripting: Inject the floating audio player into pages
  • host_permissions: Allow the player to work on any webpage
  • nativeMessaging: Optional communication with the Mac app

Mac App Privacy

The FreeVoice Reader Mac App processes all text-to-speech and speech-to-text locally on your Mac.

Data We Do NOT Collect

  • We do NOT collect any text you dictate or convert to speech
  • We do NOT collect any audio recordings
  • We do NOT track your usage patterns
  • We do NOT send any data to our servers

Local Processing

  • All speech recognition runs on-device using Apple's Speech framework or Whisper
  • Text-to-speech processing happens entirely on your Mac
  • No internet connection required after initial setup

System Permissions

  • Microphone: Required for voice dictation (speech-to-text)
  • Accessibility: Required for system-wide hotkeys and text insertion
  • Screen Recording: Optional, only if using screen text capture features

Chrome Extension Integration

When connected to the Chrome extension via Native Messaging, the Mac app communicates only with the local browser. No data is sent over the internet.

Web App Privacy

The FreeVoice Reader web app at freevoicereader.com offers both local and cloud-based processing options.

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect your email address and authentication credentials through our third-party authentication provider (Clerk).

Text Content

Local TTS: Text processed locally never leaves your browser.
Cloud TTS: Text sent to cloud services (Google Cloud, Microsoft Edge) is processed by those providers according to their privacy policies. We do not permanently store your text.

Usage Data

We collect usage information including character counts and feature usage to manage subscription limits and improve the service.

Payment Information

Payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your full credit card information on our servers.

2. How We Use Your Information

For the web app, we use collected information to:

  • Provide, maintain, and improve our text-to-speech services
  • Process your transactions and manage your subscription
  • Send you service-related communications
  • Monitor and analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
  • Detect, prevent, and address technical issues and abuse

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist in providing our services (e.g., Clerk for authentication, Stripe for payments, Google Cloud for cloud TTS processing)
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
  • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

Note: The Chrome extension and Mac app do not share any data with us or third parties.

4. Data Retention

We retain your web app account information for as long as your account is active. Text submitted for cloud processing is not permanently stored after conversion. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time.

5. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your personal data. To exercise these rights, please contact us at the email address below.

7. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Contact Information

CORDOC LLC

4030 Wake Forest Rd St 349, Raleigh, NC 27609

contact@freevoicereader.com