ZBuddy Privacy Policy
This policy explains how Guangzhou Zhiti Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("we", "us") handles your information when you use the ZBuddy app distributed outside mainland China (the "App"). The edition of ZBuddy distributed in mainland China is covered by a separate Chinese-language policy at zbuddy.zt-ai.cn/privacy-policy.html.
In short
- You may use many features without signing in; sign-in with your phone number is required for cloud transcription, AI features tied to your membership, and optional content sync.
- Recordings and transcripts are stored on your device; when sync is on, copies are kept in your cloud account space.
- To transcribe and summarize, the App sends audio and text to our servers and AI service providers, which are located in mainland China.
- We do not sell your information, show ads, use analytics or advertising SDKs, or track you across apps. Your content is not used to train AI models.
1. Information we collect and how we use it
1.1 Account registration and sign-in
When you register or sign in, you provide your phone number and an SMS verification code. We use your phone number to create and manage your account and to meet applicable real-name requirements. Sign-in credentials are stored in your device's secure storage; we do not write them to ordinary local storage or logs. If you refuse to provide a phone number, you cannot sign in, but you can still use on-device recording and local content management where the App allows.
1.2 Recordings and transcription
When you record, the App uses your phone's microphone, or receives audio from a ZBuddy Recording Card you have connected. You can also import audio files you choose. Recordings are saved on your device.
When you use live transcription, or when a recording is transcribed after you stop it, the audio is sent to our servers for speech recognition. The resulting transcript is returned to the App and stored on your device (and in your cloud account space if sync is on). Audio is used only to provide transcription and the AI features you use, and is never used to train models.
1.3 AI summaries, questions and translation
When you generate a summary (key points, action items, chapters), ask a question about a recording, use the AI assistant, or translate text, the App sends the relevant transcript text and your question to our servers, which forward it to our AI service providers to generate the result. If you attach a photo to a question, that photo is sent as well. Results are returned to the App and stored on your device (and in your cloud account space if sync is on).
AI-generated content is labeled in the App. It may be inaccurate or incomplete; please verify important information.
1.4 ZBuddy Recording Card (optional accessory)
To find and connect your Recording Card, the App uses Bluetooth ("Nearby devices") to scan for nearby devices, and reads the names and addresses of devices it finds only to identify your card. For the card you pair, the App keeps its identifier, name, battery level and storage status on your device so it can reconnect and show the card's status. When a card is connected, its serial number is sent with requests to our servers to verify the device. On Android 11 and below, the system requires location permission for Bluetooth scanning; the App does not use your location for any purpose.
1.5 Installation ID and technical information
- Installation ID: a random identifier generated on your device the first time you open the App. It is sent with requests so we can tell installations apart and prevent abuse. It contains no hardware identifiers (such as IMEI) and is not an advertising ID. It is deleted when you uninstall the App.
- Technical information: when the App contacts our servers, we receive your IP address, network type and the App version, to operate the service, prevent abuse and fix problems.
- Crash and activity logs stay on your device. They reach us only if you choose to send us a diagnostics report.
1.6 Content sync and account space
After you sign in and explicitly turn on sync, your recordings, transcripts, AI conversations (including photo attachments), translation history, summaries and memory items may be uploaded to your cloud account space so you can continue on other signed-in devices. If sync is off, this content stays on your device only. You can turn sync off at any time. Content you delete is removed from the cloud and from signed-in devices when sync applies.
1.7 Emails you send us
If you contact us by email (for example to give feedback, send a diagnostics report, or report AI-generated content), we receive what you include. A diagnostics report contains the App version, platform, installation ID, language setting and App event records, but not your audio or conversation text. An AI content report, which the App prepares for you to paste into an email, contains the reason you selected, any details you add, and the AI-generated content you are reporting. We use these emails only to respond to you and to review and improve the App.
1.8 What we do not collect
We do not collect your name or email address unless you email us, contacts, precise or approximate location, advertising ID or payment information through the App. The App contains no analytics, advertising, push-notification or crash-reporting SDKs.
1.9 Permissions
| Permission | Used for | When requested |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Recording and live transcription | The first time you record |
| Nearby devices / Bluetooth | Finding and connecting your Recording Card | The first time you add a device |
| Notifications (Android 13+) | Showing the ongoing notification while recording or while your card is connected, so the system does not stop them | The first time you record |
| Location (Android 11 and below only) | Required by the system for Bluetooth scanning; never used for location | The first time you search for a device |
You can turn permissions off at any time in your device settings. Turning a permission off stops the related feature but not the rest of the App.
2. Service providers
We do not sell your information or share it for advertising. We use the following providers, which process information only on our instructions and only to provide the App's features:
| Provider | Purpose | Information |
|---|---|---|
| ZBuddy cloud service (api.zt-ai.cn), operated by us | Receives requests from the App and connects them to the providers below | Audio, transcript text, questions, photos you attach, phone number (account), installation ID, card serial number, technical information |
| Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Bailian), Alibaba Cloud Computing Co., Ltd. | Speech recognition (Fun-ASR) | Audio and recognized text |
| DeepSeek, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd. | Summaries, questions and answers, translation | Transcript text, your questions, text to translate, photos you attach |
We may also disclose information if required by law, or as part of a merger or acquisition, in which case we will tell you who the recipient is.
3. Where your information is processed
Our servers and the providers listed above are located in the People's Republic of China. When you use transcription or AI features, your audio, text and photos are transferred from your country to mainland China and processed there. Data protection laws in China may differ from those in your country. We protect your information in transit with encryption (HTTPS / WSS) and limit access to it, and our providers may use it only to provide the service to us.
4. How long we keep information
- On your device: recordings, transcripts, summaries and conversations stay on your device until you delete them or uninstall the App.
- In your cloud account space: while your account is active, synced content is retained so you can use it across devices. When you delete content or delete your account, we delete or anonymize the corresponding personal information (including cloud and object-storage copies) within 30 days, unless a longer period is required by law.
- Transcription tasks: intermediate transcription task data on our servers is deleted automatically about 24 hours after the task.
- Server logs: network logs (such as IP address and request records) are kept for at least six months, as required by Chinese law.
- Emails: we keep emails you send us for as long as needed to handle your request and keep a record of it.
5. Your choices and rights
- You can delete recordings, transcripts, summaries and conversations in the App at any time. Uninstalling the App deletes all App data on your device, including the installation ID.
- Delete your account: in the App, open Profile → Account → Delete account, or follow the steps at zbuddy.zt-ai.cn/account-deletion-en.html. You can also email aiware@agentclouds.ai. Deletion is permanent; membership benefits end and cannot be restored. We respond within 15 business days after verifying your identity.
- You can ask us to access, correct or delete other information we hold about you, or object to its processing, by emailing aiware@agentclouds.ai. Please attach a diagnostics report (Diagnostics and feedback → Copy logs) when helpful.
- You can report AI-generated content you find inappropriate using the Report button next to it. The App prepares a report for you to paste into an email to us.
6. Security
We use encryption in transit, access controls and security auditing to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. If a security incident affects your information, we will act promptly and notify you and the authorities where required.
7. Children
The App is intended for adults and is not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with information, contact us and we will delete it.
8. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy. We will post the new version on this page with a new version number and effective date. If we make significant changes to what we collect or how we use it, we will tell you in the App before the changes apply.
9. Contact us
Guangzhou Zhiti Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Email: aiware@agentclouds.ai