SideReader Privacy Policy
Effective date: October 14, 2026 Developer: SideReader Contact: [email protected]
This policy explains what the SideReader Android app ("the app") accesses, what leaves your device, and why.
Summary
- SideReader reads on-screen text only in the apps you choose to monitor (browsers by default), to detect articles and read them aloud.
- Article text leaves your device only if you subscribe to the optional SideReader Plus and use its AI summaries or "Simpler words", or its online voice while your phone is too hot to keep up. Otherwise both voices (the built-in Android voice and the on-device natural voice) run on your phone and send nothing.
- We don't sell your data, show ads, create accounts, or use analytics or tracking SDKs.
Screen content (Accessibility Service)
SideReader uses Android's Accessibility Service to read the text shown in the apps you choose to monitor (browsers by default). It uses that text only to detect articles and read them aloud. It doesn't read other apps, collect passwords, or type, tap or change anything for you. The app shows a disclosure and asks for your agreement before you enable the service, and you can turn it off at any time in Android Settings → Accessibility.
Data stored on your device
- Settings (voice, speed, language, monitored apps, domain lists)
- Reading history and bookmarks (titles, source, article text)
- Whether you have left a tip or have SideReader Plus (on/off flags, plus the Google Play purchase token of your subscription)
- The on-device voice model, if you download it (can be deleted in Settings)
- A random app ID, created on your phone, used only with SideReader Plus requests
This data stays on your device. Settings, history and bookmarks may be included in your own Android device backup. Uninstalling the app deletes all of it.
Data sent off your device
The on-device voice (Kokoro) runs entirely on your phone: no article text is sent anywhere. Its one-time model download comes from GitHub (github.com, the k2-fsa/sherpa-onnx project); like any download, GitHub sees your IP address, and nothing about what you read is sent.
| When | What is sent | Sent to | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| You have SideReader Plus and choose "Read a short summary first" or "Simpler words", or tap Summary on the player | The article text (up to about 20,000 characters), a random app ID, and your Google Play purchase token | Our server (Cloudflare Workers), which passes the text to DeepInfra (an AI model host) to write the summary or plain-English version | Write a short spoken summary, or rewrite the article in plain, easy English ("Simpler words"), which is then read aloud. We don't store or log the text or the result; the ID and token are only used to check your subscription and limit daily usage. |
| You have SideReader Plus, "Use online voice when phone is hot" is on, and your phone is too warm or slow to make the audio itself | The text being read, in short pieces, plus a random app ID and your Google Play purchase token (not linked to your name) | Our server (Cloudflare Workers), which passes the text to DeepInfra to make the Sky audio | Make the audio; the random ID is only used to limit daily usage. We don't store the text. |
All connections use encrypted HTTPS. As with any internet service, the servers involved see your IP address.
Tips and SideReader Plus (Google Play)
Optional tips and the SideReader Plus subscription are bought and processed by Google Play under Google's terms and privacy policy. SideReader doesn't receive your payment details. The app asks Google Play on your device what your account owns and stores that on your phone. For Plus requests, our server may check your purchase token with Google Play to confirm the subscription is active. You can cancel Plus anytime in Google Play.
DeepInfra and Cloudflare
SideReader Plus requests pass through our Cloudflare Worker to DeepInfra, which runs the voice and summary models. They process the text only to return the result. See deepinfra.com/privacy and cloudflare.com/privacypolicy.
What we don't do
- We don't sell or rent your data.
- We don't use your data for advertising.
- We don't use third-party analytics or crash-reporting SDKs.
- We don't require an account.
Children
SideReader is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Your choices
- Turn off the Accessibility Service at any time.
- Without SideReader Plus (or with summaries, "Simpler words" and the online voice turned off), everything stays on your device.
- Clear history and bookmarks in the app, or uninstall the app to delete all local data.
- Email us to ask questions or make a privacy request.
Deleting your data
- No accounts. SideReader has no accounts or sign-in, so there is no account to delete.
- Article text isn't stored. Text sent to our server for SideReader Plus summaries, "Simpler words" or the online voice is processed to return the result and is not stored or logged.
- Random install ID. The app creates a random ID, not linked to your name or email, used only to apply daily usage limits. Clear it by clearing the app's data (Android Settings › Apps › SideReader › Storage › Clear data) or by uninstalling the app.
- Everything on your phone (settings, history, bookmarks, the voice model) is deleted when you clear the app's data or uninstall it.
- Anything else: email [email protected] to request deletion, and we'll reply within 30 days.
Changes
If our data practices change, we will update this policy and its effective date.