shoumei.org

Privacy Policy

Last updated:

The operator of shoumei.org (the “Operator”) respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal information and photo data appropriately. This policy explains how information is handled in this Service (including the iOS apps, the website, the web photo tool, payment services, and contact).

Basic policy

The Operator respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal information and photo data appropriately. This policy covers the iOS apps, the website, the web photo tool, payment services, and contact.

This Service is not an official service operated or approved by government agencies, embassies, consulates, immigration authorities, application agents, or other public bodies or recipients, and is not affiliated with them.

Handling of photo data

In the iOS apps, photo data you capture or load is, as a general rule, processed on your device. The sequence of capturing, editing, reviewing, and saving photos is designed to stay on the device.

In the web photo tool, photo data you load is, as a general rule, processed within your browser. By design, this Service does not send photo data to the Operator’s servers, the payment service (Stripe), or Google (Google Analytics 4). Background removal and image editing run on your device and in your browser.

For details of data processing in each app and feature, please see the explanation or help pages in each app. Specifications may differ between apps and features.

Information handled

In providing the Service, the following information may be handled.

For payments in the web photo tool, email addresses and payment details are processed through the payment service (Stripe). The Operator does not store full credit card numbers or security codes directly. By design, photo data, the contents of identity documents, names, and addresses are not sent to the Operator’s servers.

  • Device and browser information collected automatically during use of the apps or browser (OS version, device model, browser type and version, etc.)
  • Usage analytics data used to improve the stability and quality of the apps
  • Website browsing history and interaction data (when analytics is enabled)
  • Purchase information processed through the payment service at the time of payment
  • Information you provide when contacting support

Purpose of use

Collected or handled information may be used for the following purposes.

  • Providing and improving app and web photo tool features, and investigating and fixing defects
  • Processing payments, confirming purchase details, and preventing duplicate charges and misuse
  • Responding to user inquiries
  • Improving website usability and analyzing usage (when analytics is enabled)

Use of external providers

The Operator uses the following external providers to deliver the Service. Each provider may process information under its own terms of use and privacy policy.

  • Payment service (Stripe): Used for payment processing in the web photo tool. Email addresses and payment details are processed through Stripe, and the Operator does not store full card numbers or security codes directly.
  • Site delivery and security (Cloudflare): Used for website delivery, security protection, and server processing.
  • Analytics (Google, Google Analytics 4): Used to analyze how the website is used. See the next section, “Analytics and cookies”, for details.
  • In-app purchases (Apple): When in-app purchases are used in the iOS apps, purchase information is processed through Apple.
  • Except where required by law, personal information and photo data will not be provided to third parties without your consent.

Analytics and cookies (website)

This website uses Google Analytics 4, Google’s analytics service, to improve usability and the service. It applies only to measuring how the website is used in a browser, separately from any measurement inside the Service’s iOS apps.

When analytics is enabled, the pages you view, your interactions, device and browser information, and approximate region may be processed through Google Analytics 4. The Operator does not intentionally send names, email addresses, or photo data to Google Analytics 4. However, due to the nature of cookies and browser mechanisms, it is not possible to guarantee that no information that can be linked to an individual is ever transmitted.

The main cookies set when you allow this are _ga and _ga_7KYEDRZWJ4. They are managed by Google and subject to Google’s privacy policy. This site does not perform advertising tracking.

  • In the EEA and the UK, Google Analytics is not loaded and no analytics request or cookie is created until you allow it. In other regions, analytics starts normally unless you previously chose to continue without analytics.
  • We use Google Analytics to understand site usage and improve the experience. Analytics is optional, every feature works without it, and you can change this setting later.
  • You can change your choice or withdraw consent at any time from “Cookie settings” at the bottom of the page. After withdrawal, measurement stops immediately and related cookies are deleted.
  • Your consent is stored in your browser for about 6 months from your last choice. After that period, you may be asked to choose again.

Data retention and deletion

Photo data created in the iOS apps is, as a general rule, stored on your device. When you delete data yourself, it is also removed from the app. If you uninstall the app, data stored on the device may also be deleted. Please back up any data you need in advance.

Data being created in the web photo tool is retained within your browser. Payment records are retained by the payment service (Stripe) and in the Operator’s payment ledger for as long as needed to confirm purchases, handle refunds, and meet legal obligations.

Information provided through inquiries is retained for the period needed to respond and keep related records, and is then deleted.

Disclosure, correction, deletion, and inquiries regarding personal information

If you wish to request disclosure, correction, addition, deletion, suspension of use, or suspension of provision to third parties regarding your personal information handled by the Operator, please make the request via the contact form. After verifying your identity, we will respond appropriately in accordance with applicable law.

The Operator’s name and address can be confirmed through the notice under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

For questions or requests about this policy, please also use the contact form.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be revised in response to changes in the service or laws. Significant changes will be announced on this page, in the apps, or on the website.