Privacy policy

Last updated: 22 October 2026

Hanzi Desk is made by Crow Tech. You can use the dictionary and study tools without creating an account.

Native iOS app

The native Hanzi Desk iOS app works without an account. It has no advertising, analytics SDKs or cross-app tracking. Searches run locally. Saved words, notes, schedules, books, search history, custom dictionaries and settings remain in the app’s local storage; we do not automatically upload or sync them. Operating-system backups may include app data according to your device settings.

Optional camera and photo-library text recognition uses Apple Vision on-device. The app does not upload your images or recognized text to us. Optional device speech uses your operating system and installed voices.

Dictionary, font and pronunciation downloads contact hanzidesk.com, hosted by Cloudflare. Cloudflare processes technical request information, including IP addresses, requested files and network details, for delivery, reliability and security, and may retain network and security information under its privacy policy. This information is separate from your study content; we do not use it for advertising or cross-app tracking.

You can delete saved words, readings and imported dictionaries in the app and clear downloaded audio in Settings. Export a backup before deleting data. Backups leave the app only when you choose a system share-sheet destination, which has its own privacy practices. Deleting the app removes its local data, subject to device backups you retain. External hyperlinks are off by default. Contact [email protected] for support or privacy questions. If you contact us, we retain relevant correspondence as needed to respond.

Website privacy

The following browser-storage and website-feedback details apply to the website; native iOS app behavior is described above.

No tracking

We do not use advertising trackers, behavioural analytics, tracking pixels or cross-site identifiers. We do not track your activity across websites or sell or rent your personal information. The website does not load a visitor analytics beacon.

Your study data stays on your device

Saved words, reading material, notes, search history, custom dictionaries and preferences are stored in your browser on this device. Dictionary, font and audio downloads may also be cached locally. There is no account-based upload or automatic cloud sync of this study data.

Reader documents and images used for text recognition are processed in your browser. They are not uploaded to us for recognition. Optional recognition tools download their software and language data from a third-party content delivery network, which receives the usual technical information for those downloads.

You can export a backup from Settings. Use the data and storage controls in Settings, or your browser’s site-data controls, to remove local data. Clearing site data can permanently remove saved work unless you have a backup.

Functional storage and cookies

We use browser storage to make the app work and remember your choices. A functional cookie named hanzi-desk-font remembers your selected Chinese font for up to one year. It is not a tracking cookie.

Hosting and optional services

Cloudflare hosts the website and serves its files. Like any hosting service, it receives technical request information, such as your IP address, browser information and requested URL, to deliver content and protect the service. Operational or security logs and aggregate request statistics are distinct from tracking your browsing behaviour. See Cloudflare’s privacy policy.

Searches can appear in the page URL. Loading or sharing that URL makes it available to the hosting service or whoever receives the link. Pronunciation playback may request recordings from an external source. If you enable device speech, your browser or operating system provides the voice and may use its own online service. External links and these optional services are subject to their providers’ privacy practices.

Feedback you choose to send

If you submit the feedback form, we receive your message, category and any name or email address you choose to include. Cloudflare processes the request and uses the request’s IP address for abuse prevention and rate limiting; Resend delivers the message by email. We use feedback to respond to you and improve or support Hanzi Desk, and keep relevant correspondence for as long as needed to handle it. A draft in the form stays on your device until you submit it.

Questions and changes

For privacy questions or requests about feedback you have sent, email [email protected]. Changes to this policy will appear on this page with an updated date.