Privacy Policy

Introduction

Effective Date: January 8, 2025
Last Updated: January 8, 2025

Continue ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you use our mobile application Continue (the "App"). Continue is designed to help you practice communication skills through AI-powered conversations with virtual personas.

By using our App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

1. Account Information

• Anonymous Authentication: We use Firebase Anonymous Authentication to create a unique identifier for your account without requiring personal login credentials
• Device Identifier: We collect your device's Android ID to help recover your account if you reinstall the app
• User Profile: Name, age, gender, pronouns, sexual preference, country, and profile image

2. Personal Profile Data

We collect comprehensive information to personalize your experience:

3. Persona/Character Data

For each virtual persona you create:

• Basic information (name, age, gender, relationship type)
• Personality traits and communication patterns
• Behavioral preferences and response styles
• Knowledge bases (what they know about you and their fictional life)
• Custom AI prompts and conversation rules
• Profile images and visual customizations

4. Chat and Conversation Data

• Message Content: All text messages exchanged with AI personas
• Message Metadata: Timestamps, read status, reply references
• Image Messages: Photos shared in conversations with metadata
• Conversation History: Complete chat logs with all personas
• AI Model Usage: Which AI models generated responses and token usage

5. WhatsApp Import Data

If you choose to import WhatsApp conversations:

• Chat message content and timestamps
• Sender names and conversation patterns
• Analysis data used to create personas from your real conversations

6. Credit and Transaction Data

• Credit balance and transaction history
• Purchase records for in-app credits
• Daily allowance tracking
• Ad reward transactions

7. Usage and Technical Data

• App usage patterns and feature interactions
• Crash reports and error logs
• Device information and operating system version
• Network connectivity status

How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

• Personalized AI Conversations: Generate realistic, personalized responses from AI personas
• Persona Creation: Build detailed character profiles based on your preferences
• Communication Training: Provide tailored practice scenarios for improving social skills
• Account Management: Maintain your account and sync data across devices
• App Improvement: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and performance

AI Processing

We use your data with third-party AI services to generate conversations:

• OpenAI GPT Models: For advanced conversation generation (GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini)
• Google Gemini: For alternative AI responses and analysis (Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash)
• OpenRouter: Gateway service providing access to multiple AI models
• Anthropic Claude: For sophisticated conversation generation
• Meta Llama Models: For diverse AI personality responses
• Mistral AI: For multilingual conversation support
• xAI Grok: For creative and dynamic responses

Android Permissions

Our app requires the following permissions to function properly:

How We Use Permissions

• Storage: Only to access images you choose for profiles and to create backup files
• Network: Essential for AI conversations and cloud features
• Audio: Only when you use voice features - never recorded without your explicit action
• Notifications: To enhance your experience with timely updates

You can manage these permissions through your device's Settings > Apps > Continue > Permissions at any time.

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage

• Primary Storage: Most data is stored locally on your device using encrypted SQLite databases
• Chat Messages: Stored exclusively on your device and never uploaded to our servers
• User Preferences: Stored in secure local storage

Cloud Storage (Firebase)

We use Google Firebase services for:

• User Authentication: Anonymous authentication without personal credentials
• Persona Sync: Synchronize your created personas across devices
• Credit System: Track credits and transactions
• Settings Backup: Sync app preferences and settings
• Image Storage: Profile and persona images stored securely in Firebase Cloud Storage

Security Measures

• Encryption: All data transmitted to our servers uses HTTPS encryption
• Anonymous Authentication: No personal login credentials required
• Local Encryption: Backup files are encrypted with AES encryption
• Access Controls: Strict access controls on all cloud data
• Regular Security Audits: Ongoing monitoring and security assessments

Data Sharing and Third Parties

AI Service Providers

We share conversation content with AI providers to generate responses:

• OpenAI: For GPT-based conversation generation (GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini)
• Google Gemini: For AI responses and analysis (Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 2.5 Flash)
• OpenRouter: Gateway service providing access to multiple AI models including:
• Anthropic Claude models
• Meta Llama models
• Mistral AI models
• xAI Grok models
• Other cutting-edge AI models

Advertising Partners

• Google AdMob: For rewarded video ads that earn you credits
• AdMob may collect device identifiers and usage data for ad personalization

Service Providers

• Google Firebase: For authentication, database, and cloud storage services
• Google Play Services: For in-app purchases and app distribution

Your Privacy Rights

Access and Control

• View Your Data: Access all your stored data through the app's settings
• Edit Information: Modify your profile and persona information at any time
• Delete Data: Remove specific personas, conversations, or your entire account

Data Portability

• Export Feature: Create encrypted backup files of all your data
• Import Feature: Restore your data from backup files

Opt-Out Options

• Ad Personalization: Disable personalized ads through your device settings
• Data Collection: Some data collection can be limited through app settings
• Account Deletion: Permanently delete your account and associated data

Children's Privacy

Our App is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

Child Safety & Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

1. Age Restriction

Strict 18+ Policy: Our App is strictly intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from, or allow usage by, children under the age of 18.

2. Prohibited Content

We strictly prohibit the generation, sharing, or distribution of content depicting:

• Sexual abuse or exploitation of minors
• Realistic or non-realistic depictions of nude or sexually engaged minors
• Any material that promotes or normalizes child sexual abuse (CSAM)

3. Reporting & Enforcement

We are committed to maintaining a safe environment and complying with all relevant child safety laws.

• Automated Detection: We employ automated filters to block and detect potential prohibited content in AI prompts and responses.
• Reporting Mechanism: Users can report any suspicious or illegal content directly within the app using the "Report" feature.
• Action on Violations: Accounts found violating our Child Safety policies will be permanently banned immediately, and relevant authorities (including NCMEC) will be notified if illegal content is detected.

International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own, including the United States where our cloud services are hosted. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data during international transfers.

Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
• Chat Messages: Stored locally on your device indefinitely unless you delete them
• Backup Data: Retained until you manually delete backup files
• Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained for service improvement

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you a notification if changes are significant

About the Developer

Continue is developed and maintained by Shivam Das under WileyLabs, a one-person company dedicated to creating innovative mobile applications that help people improve their communication and social skills.

Legal Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with applicable data protection laws, including:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU users
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents
• Other applicable regional privacy laws

Child Safety Standards Declaration

1. Prohibition of Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation (CSAE)

Continue explicitly and strictly prohibits users from creating, uploading, distributing, or soliciting content that facilitates the exploitation or abuse of children. This includes a zero-tolerance policy for:

• Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM): Any realistic or non-realistic imagery depicting sexual abuse of minors.
• Grooming: Befriending a minor to facilitate sexual contact or exchange sexual imagery.
• Sexualization of Minors: Content that encourages abuse or portrays children in a sexualized manner.
• Sextortion: Threatening or blackmailing a minor using intimate images.
• Trafficking: Advertising or soliciting a child for commercial sexual exploitation.
• Inappropriate Interactions: Any interaction targeted at a child involving groping, caressing, or sexual intent.

Any account found engaging in these behaviors will be permanently banned immediately.

2. Reporting & Action Mechanisms

We are committed to swift action against harmful content:

• In-App Reporting: Users can report any abuse or suspicious content directly via the "Report" button within chat and profile screens.
• Action on Reports: We review reports promptly. Upon obtaining actual knowledge of CSAM or exploitation content, we will remove the content immediately and permanently ban the offending user.
• Legal Reporting: We comply with all applicable child safety laws. Confirmed cases of CSAM or child exploitation will be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and relevant regional law enforcement authorities.

3. Harmful Content & Adult Themes

We do not allow content that appeals to children but contains inappropriate adult themes. This includes:

• Apps/Content with excessive violence, blood, or gore.
• Depiction of harmful or dangerous activities.
• Promotion of negative body image or cosmetic surgery for entertainment.

4. Child Safety Point of Contact

We have a designated representative to handle child safety notifications from Google Play and authorities:

Contact: Shivam Das (WileyLabs Support)
Email: shivamdas155@gmail.com
Role: Designated Child Safety Officer

Consent

By using our App, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our App.