Privacy policy

Last updated: 17 October 2026

Noboru is a JLPT study app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. This policy explains what information the app uses, why, and the choices you have. In short: your study data stays in your own iCloud, we keep only what we need to run your account and answer you, and we never sell your data or show ads.

Who we are

Noboru is run by Rodney Reid in Japan. Contact: support@getnoboru.com.

Your account

You sign in with Apple. Apple gives us a user identifier, and, the first time only, your first name and an email address. You can choose Apple's Hide My Email, in which case we receive a private relay address that forwards to you. We store this in your account record, together with your chosen JLPT level and exam date, your email choices, the app version, device type and when you last used the app.

We use it to: run your account, reply to your reports and questions, and (only if you agree) send occasional updates about the app. The account record is kept in the app's database on Apple's iCloud and is not visible to other users.

Your study data

Your lists, reviews, test answers, study time and progress are stored in your own private iCloud and sync between your Apple devices. We cannot see this data.

If you switch on "Help improve Noboru" (off unless you choose it), the app shares a small summary: your level, scores by section and question type, and weak areas. We use it to find questions that are too hard or wrong, and to improve study plans. You can switch it off at any time in Settings → Account.

Reports and feedback

When you send a report or feedback, we receive what you write, the question number (if any), your level, device type, app version and an anonymous account key so we can reply to you. Please don't include personal details you don't want to share.

Other services

• Apple provides sign-in, iCloud storage and (when available) purchases. Apple's privacy policy applies to those services.
• WaniKani (optional): if you connect it, your WaniKani token is stored only in your device's Keychain and used only to read your WaniKani progress directly from WaniKani.
• Read anything: articles you open are read on your device; quick questions use Apple's on-device intelligence where available. We don't receive the articles you read.
• Community (when it opens): the community runs on Circle, a separate service with its own privacy policy. You join it with the same email so your access matches your account.

What we don't do

• No advertising and no advertising trackers.
• We don't sell or rent your personal information.
• We don't track you across other apps or websites.

Keeping and deleting your data

We keep your account record while you have an account. You can delete it at any time in the app: Settings → Account → Delete my account. This removes your account record and stops all emails. Your study data in your own iCloud is yours: you can remove it in iPhone Settings → your name → iCloud → Manage Account Storage → Noboru. Reports you sent may be kept, without your email, to keep the app's content correct.

Children

Noboru is not directed at children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect their personal information.

Your rights

Depending on where you live (including under Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the EU/UK GDPR), you may ask to see, correct, export or delete your personal information, or object to its use. Email support@getnoboru.com and we'll reply within 30 days.

Changes

If this policy changes in a way that matters, we'll update the date above and tell you in the app.