Privacy Policy - DotDash
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: June 4, 2026
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
Before diving into the details, here is a quick overview of how we handle your privacy at DotDash:
- What personal information do we collect? We collect your name, email address, learning progress, device information, and basic usage analytics.
- Do we process any sensitive personal information? No. We do not collect or process sensitive data like financial information, precise geolocation, or biometric data.
- Do we collect information from third parties? We receive basic analytics data through Google Analytics to understand how our app is performing, but we do not buy data from data brokers.
- How do we use your information? We use your data to deliver your daily Morse code lessons, sync your streaks and progress across devices, and improve our app.
- Who do we share your personal information with? We share data only with essential service providers (like our secure cloud hosts and Google Analytics) who help us run the app. We never sell your personal information.
- What are your privacy rights? You have the right to access, correct, delete, export, restrict processing of, and object to the processing of your data at any time.
- How can you contact us? You can reach our privacy team directly at privacy@getdotdash.today.
***
1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to DotDash. DotDash, Inc. (located at 123 Telegraph Way, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA) acts as the data controller for your personal information. We build tools to help hobbyists, amateur radio operators, and students master Morse code through bite-sized daily lessons and practice challenges. Because learning requires focus, we believe your experience should be free from invasive tracking and hidden data practices.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use the DotDash web and mobile applications. We wrote this document to be as clear and transparent as possible because we want you to understand exactly what happens to your data when you trust us with it.
If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your information, please reach out to us at privacy@getdotdash.today.
2. WHAT WE COLLECT & WHY
We only collect the information we actually need to provide you with a great learning experience. Here is a breakdown of what we collect, why we need it, and the specific legal basis we rely on to process it under laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Information You Give Us Directly
When you choose to create a DotDash account to sync your progress across devices, we ask for your name and email address. We need this to create your profile, secure your account, and help you recover your password if you forget it.- Legal Basis: Contract (GDPR Article 6(1)(b) - we need this to provide the account services you requested).
Information Collected Automatically
As you tap out Morse code and complete daily challenges, we automatically collect data about your learning progress, streaks, and the device you are using (such as your operating system and app version). We also collect basic usage analytics and use cookies to keep you logged in. We collect this to ensure the app functions correctly on your specific device and to save your hard-earned progress.- Legal Basis: Contract (GDPR Article 6(1)(b) - for saving progress and core functionality) and Legitimate Interest (GDPR Article 6(1)(f) - for understanding device compatibility and app stability).
Information from Third Parties
We use Google Analytics to gather aggregated, anonymized data about how users navigate our app and website. This tells us which lessons are most popular and where users might be getting stuck, allowing us to improve our curriculum.- Legal Basis: Consent (GDPR Article 6(1)(a) - where required by law for analytics cookies) and Legitimate Interest (GDPR Article 6(1)(f) - for improving our services).
3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
Every piece of data we collect has a specific job to do. We use your information to:
- Deliver Our Core Service: We use your account details and learning data to provide your daily lessons, track your streaks, and ensure your progress is available whether you are practicing on your phone or your computer. (Legal basis: Contract - GDPR Art. 6(1)(b))
- Improve and Personalize the App: By analyzing usage analytics, we can identify bugs, optimize our interface, and adjust the difficulty of our practice challenges to better suit our learners. (Legal basis: Legitimate Interest - GDPR Art. 6(1)(f))
- Communicate With You: We use your email to send important account notifications, password resets, and updates about new Morse code features. (Legal basis: Contract - GDPR Art. 6(1)(b) and Legitimate Interest - GDPR Art. 6(1)(f))
- Ensure Security and Prevent Fraud: We monitor device information and access logs to detect unusual login attempts and protect your account from unauthorized access. (Legal basis: Legitimate Interest - GDPR Art. 6(1)(f))
- Comply With the Law: In rare cases, we may need to process your data to respond to valid legal requests or comply with regulatory requirements. (Legal basis: Legal Obligation - GDPR Art. 6(1)(c))
- Marketing: If you opt in, we may occasionally send you newsletters or promotional offers about DotDash. You can easily opt out of these at any time. (Legal basis: Consent - GDPR Art. 6(1)(a))
4. WHEN WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION
We are incredibly protective of your personal information. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties for their own advertising purposes. We only share your data in the following limited circumstances:
- Essential Service Providers: We share information with trusted companies that help us operate DotDash. This includes our secure cloud hosting providers and Google Analytics. These providers are legally bound to protect your data and can only use it to provide services to us.
- Legal Requirements: If we are required to do so by law, court order, or valid government request, we will share your information. We will always attempt to notify you first unless legally prohibited from doing so.
- Business Transitions: If DotDash is ever acquired by or merged with another company, your information would be transferred to the new owners so you can continue your learning uninterrupted.
- With Your Consent: If we ever need to share your data for a reason not listed here, we will ask for your explicit permission first.
5. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Whether you live in the European Union, California, or anywhere else, we believe you should have total control over your personal data. You have the right to:
- Access Your Data: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. We will provide this within 30 days.
- Correct Inaccuracies: If your name, email, or other details are wrong, you can update them directly in your account settings or ask us to fix them.
- Delete Your Data: You can delete your account and associated personal data at any time through the app settings or by emailing us.
- Port Your Data: You can request a copy of your learning progress and account data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
- Object to Processing: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, particularly when we rely on legitimate interests as our legal basis.
- Restrict Processing: You can ask us to suspend or restrict the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances, such as if you want us to establish its accuracy or the reason for processing it.
- Opt Out of Marketing: Every marketing email we send includes a one-click unsubscribe link.
- Withdraw Consent: If you previously gave us consent to process your data (like accepting analytics cookies), you can change your mind and withdraw that consent at any time without affecting your ability to use the app.
- Lodge a Complaint: If you are in the EU, you have the right to file a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority. If you are in the US, you may contact your state's Attorney General. However, we hope you will reach out to us first so we can make things right.
6. DATA SECURITY
We take the security of your account seriously and have implemented robust measures to protect your information.
We protect your data using TLS encryption while it is in transit (traveling between your device and our servers) and we use industry-standard encryption to protect your data at rest (when it is stored on our servers). We also enforce strict access controls, meaning only authorized DotDash personnel who need to do their jobs can access our systems.
However, we want to be honest with you: no app, website, or internet transmission is 100% secure. While we work hard to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You play a vital role in your own security by choosing a strong, unique password for your DotDash account and keeping your devices secure.
If we ever experience a data breach that compromises your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities within the timeframes required by law, and we will provide clear instructions on how to protect yourself.
7. DATA RETENTION
We do not keep your data forever. We only hold onto it for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. The criteria used to determine our retention periods include the type of data, the purpose for its collection, and any applicable legal or operational requirements. Specifically, we retain your data for the following periods:
- Account and Learning Data: We retain your name, email address, device information, and learning progress for as long as your DotDash account remains active in order to provide you with our core services.
- Account Deletion: When you choose to delete your account, we will completely erase your personal data from our active systems within 30 days.
- Analytics: We retain anonymized usage analytics (which cannot be tied back to you personally) for up to 24 months to help us track long-term trends in app performance.
- Marketing Data: If you have opted into marketing communications, we retain your contact information for this purpose until you withdraw your consent or opt out, after which we will remove you from our active marketing lists within 7 days.
- Support Communications: If you contact us for support or privacy inquiries, we retain those communication logs for 12 months after the issue is resolved to assist with any follow-up questions or related issues.
- Legal Records and Dispute Resolution: If you make a purchase (should we offer premium features in the future) or if we need to resolve a dispute, we will retain necessary basic information (such as financial transaction records or communication logs) for up to 7 years, or as required by applicable tax, accounting, and legal obligations.
8. COOKIES & TRACKING
DotDash uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to make our web app work smoothly.
- Essential Cookies: These are strictly necessary to keep you logged in and ensure the app functions securely. You cannot opt out of these if you want to use an account.
- Analytics Cookies: We use Google Analytics to understand how our community uses the app. These cookies collect anonymous data about page views and app interactions.
9. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
DotDash is designed for hobbyists, students, and amateur radio operators who are 13 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has created an account and provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at privacy@getdotdash.today. We will take swift action to locate and delete that information from our servers.
10. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
DotDash operates globally, but our primary servers are located in the United States. If you are using our app from the European Union or other regions with laws governing data collection and use, please note that your personal information will be transferred to and processed in the US.
When we transfer data originating from the EU to the US, we rely on legally recognized safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission, to ensure your data receives the same high level of protection it would in your home country. Your privacy rights remain fully intact regardless of where your data is processed.
11. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
Technology moves fast, and laws change. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect new features, legal requirements, or better ways of explaining our practices.
If we make significant changes that affect your rights or how we use your data, we will notify you directly via the email address associated with your account or through a prominent notice inside the DotDash app before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the app after the effective date means you understand and agree to the updated policy. You can always find the most current version of this policy at https://getdotdash.today.
12. CONTACT US
We believe privacy policies should be the start of a conversation, not the end of one. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about how we handle your data, we want to hear from you.
- Data Controller: DotDash, Inc.
- Mailing Address: 123 Telegraph Way, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
- Privacy Email: privacy@getdotdash.today
- Website: https://getdotdash.today