Privacy Policy – Translate on Screen
Last Updated: October 2026
Thank you for using Translate on Screen ("we", "our", or "the App"), developed by dfound. We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing complete transparency regarding how your data is handled and how device permissions are utilized.
1. Overview
Translate on Screen is an assistive screen translation and text recognition utility designed to help users translate text directly from their mobile screen in real time. It allows you to translate games, web pages, comics, documents, and messages from other applications without having to copy-paste or switch apps.
To provide floating controls, capture text on the display, and offer optional hands-free voice commands, the App requests specific Android permissions including Display Over Other Apps (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW), Screen Capture (MediaProjection), Foreground Service, and optional Audio Recording (RECORD_AUDIO).
Prominent Disclosure: Screen Capture & OCR Processing
Translate on Screen uses Android's standard MediaProjection API to capture screen images exclusively when requested by the user.
- Purpose: Screen capture is used solely to detect and translate text visible on your screen via Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
- User-Initiated Only: Screen capture is triggered strictly when you tap the floating translation bubble or issue an authorized voice command. The App never continuously or passively records your screen in the background.
- Transient In-Memory Processing: Captured screen images are processed temporarily in volatile memory (RAM) and immediately discarded once OCR text extraction is finished. We do not store, retain, or transmit your screenshots to any external server.
- No Tracking or Profiling: Screen content is never used for advertising, behavioral profiling, or unauthorized third-party tracking.
Prominent Disclosure: Microphone Access for Voice Trigger (Optional)
Translate on Screen requests the Audio Recording permission (android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) solely for the optional hands-free Voice Trigger feature.
- Purpose: When enabled in Settings, the app listens for specific wake phrases (such as "Hey Translate", "Translate", or "Ok Translate") to initiate translation hands-free.
- On-Device Speech Recognition: Voice detection is handled on-device using Android's built-in SpeechRecognizer.
- No Audio Recording or Storage: We do NOT record, collect, save, or upload your voice or audio to any server. Audio is processed solely for wake-word detection while the feature is active.
- Completely Optional: This feature is disabled by default and requires your explicit activation and permission in Settings. You can revoke this permission at any time.
2. Information We Access and Process
We respect your privacy and adhere strictly to data minimization principles. We do not collect personal identifying information (PII) without your explicit knowledge and consent.
a. Screen Content and OCR Processing
When you trigger a translation:
- The App captures the visible screen area using Android's
MediaProjection API after you grant system consent.
- Standard Mode (Offline): Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and translation are performed entirely on-device using Google ML Kit. No screen images or translated text leave your device.
- Smart AI Mode (PRO): When using Smart AI translation mode powered by Firebase AI (Gemini), extracted text blocks are sent securely via encrypted TLS/HTTPS to provide context-aware translations. Captured screenshots themselves are never sent.
b. Local Translation History (Optional)
The App includes an optional feature to save your translation history for later review:
- This feature is disabled by default and can be enabled under
Settings > Save Translation History.
- Saved records (original text, translated text, and timestamp) are stored strictly locally on your device in an internal SQLite database.
- Your translation history is never uploaded to any cloud server or shared with third parties. You can view, copy, or delete individual records or clear your entire history at any time within the app.
c. Device and Diagnostic Information
To diagnose crashes, improve translation speed, and ensure stability across Android devices, we may collect anonymous, non-personally identifiable diagnostic data:
- Device model, manufacturer, and Android OS version.
- Aggregated crash logs, ANR reports, and performance metrics via Firebase Crashlytics and Google Play Console.
3. Permissions Used and Why They Are Needed
a. Display Over Other Apps (android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW)
- Purpose: Renders the floating translation bubble and overlays translated text directly over other applications without requiring you to switch apps.
- Data Handling: This permission does not inspect or collect data from other applications.
b. Screen Capture & Media Projection (FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PROJECTION)
- Purpose: Required by Android to capture visible content on your screen when you tap the translation button. Runs with a persistent foreground notification to ensure full user awareness.
c. Audio Recording (android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO, FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE)
- Purpose: Required exclusively for the optional hands-free Voice Trigger ("Hey Translate") feature.
- Data Handling: Used solely for local wake-word recognition. No audio files or recordings are stored or transmitted.
d. Post Notifications (android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS)
- Purpose: Displays status and quick-control notifications while the foreground translation service is active, conforming to Android 13+ system requirements.
e. Internet & Network State (INTERNET, ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE)
- Purpose: Used to download offline language packs (Google ML Kit), connect to Firebase AI (Gemini) in Smart AI Mode, verify subscription status with Google Play Billing, and load advertisements in the free version.
f. Google Play In-App Billing (com.android.vending.BILLING)
- Purpose: Allows users to subscribe to Translate on Screen PRO to unlock Smart AI mode and remove advertisements.
g. Advertising ID (com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID)
- Purpose: Used by Google AdMob in the free version to serve ads and prevent fraud in compliance with Google Play Developer policies.
4. Third-Party Services
The App integrates trusted third-party SDKs to provide translation capabilities, advertising, billing, and performance monitoring:
- Google ML Kit: Provides on-device text recognition (OCR) and offline machine translation. (Google ML Kit Terms)
- Google Firebase & Gemini AI: Powers the Smart AI Translation feature, Firebase Remote Config, App Check, and Crashlytics. (Firebase Privacy Policy)
- Google Play In-App Billing: Handles subscription payments and transaction processing securely. (Google Privacy Policy)
- Google AdMob & UMP: Displays advertisements in the free tier and manages user privacy consent (GDPR/CCPA). (Google AdMob Privacy Policy)
5. Data Security and Retention
- Zero Screen Retention: Screen captures are held temporarily in memory only while OCR processing occurs, and are discarded immediately.
- Encrypted Communications: All network communications with Firebase and Google APIs are secured with industry-standard TLS/HTTPS encryption.
- Local Storage Control: Translation history and user preferences remain stored securely in private app sandboxed storage on your device.
- No Sale of Data: We never sell, rent, lease, or monetize your personal information or translated text.
6. User Control and Permission Revocation
You maintain full control over the permissions and features of Translate on Screen:
- Floating Bubble: You can dismiss the floating bubble at any time by dragging it to the close area or stopping the service from the main screen.
- Overlay Permission: Revocable at any time via
Android Settings > Apps > Translate on Screen > Display over other apps.
- Microphone Permission: Can be granted or revoked at any time via
Android Settings > Apps > Translate on Screen > Permissions > Microphone or toggled within the app settings.
- Translation History: Can be disabled or cleared entirely in the app's History screen.
- Uninstall: Uninstalling the application completely purges all local app data, databases, and preferences from your device.
7. Children's Privacy
Our application is not targeted toward children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will take prompt corrective measures.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect new features, policy changes, or regulatory requirements. Any revisions will be published on this page with an updated revision date.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us:
📧 Email: duanelucky97@gmail.com
10. Subscription Policy
For details regarding Translate on Screen PRO, pricing, auto-renewals, cancellations, and refunds, please review our Subscription Policy.