Overview
Algebra Buddy is designed to work without an account for core lessons, practice, graphing, deterministic solving, and progress tracking. It does not contain advertising, use third-party advertising trackers, or sell personal information.
Data stored on your device
Algebra Buddy stores app-owned learning data locally, which may include:
- Your selected curriculum level, learning goal, explanation style, tutor mode, daily goal, appearance, haptic, and motion preferences.
- Completed lessons, topic mastery, study minutes, practice attempts, correctness, independence, and daily activity summaries.
- Bookmarks, local settings, and cached files created by normal app use.
- A random installation identifier used to rate-limit and protect AI Photo Solver requests.
- A Keychain marker recording whether the one-time free AI photo solve has been used.
AI Photo Solver
AI Photo Solver is optional. When you choose it, Algebra Buddy may process:
- The worksheet or handwritten-problem image you capture or select.
- Your device locale, used to tailor learner-friendly language.
- The random installation identifier sent to QnSub's service for rate limiting and abuse prevention.
The app creates a compressed JPEG for the request and sends it over HTTPS to Algebra Buddy's Cloudflare service. The service validates the request, hashes the installation identifier before using it as an OpenAI safety identifier, and sends the image to OpenAI to recognize and solve the problem. The OpenAI request is configured with storage disabled.
Image handling
Algebra Buddy does not save captured worksheet photos in the app's learning history. A selected image is processed only to return the requested transcription and structured solution. Avoid scanning documents that contain a student's name, school information, grades, faces, addresses, or other unrelated personal information.
Operational logs
The AI service may create operational logs containing a random request identifier, request timing, response status, service error code, model name, token counts, and whether a result required review. The logging code is designed not to include worksheet images, recognized problem text, solution steps, or the raw installation identifier.
Camera and photo-library permissions
Camera access is used to scan a printed or handwritten algebra problem. Photo-library access is used when you select an existing worksheet image. You decide whether to grant these permissions, and you can change them in iOS or iPadOS Settings. The included local learning tools remain available without photo access.
App Store services
Apple processes app purchases, subscriptions, refunds, receipts, and Apple Account information. Algebra Buddy reads verified StoreKit entitlements on your device and may query Apple's public app catalog by bundle identifier and region to check for a newer version. QnSub does not receive your Apple Account password or payment-card details.
AI Photo Solver access
One AI photo solve is included per device. A Keychain marker records when it has been used and may remain after deletion and reinstallation to prevent repeated trial use. Additional AI photo solving requires the weekly App Store pass. The complete on-device course, practice, graphing, deterministic tools, and local progress remain available when the pass is inactive or expires.
No advertising or sale of data
- Algebra Buddy does not require a QnSub account.
- Algebra Buddy does not include advertising SDKs.
- QnSub does not sell learning data or worksheet images.
- QnSub does not use worksheet images for behavioral advertising.
- QnSub does not track users across unrelated apps or websites.
Deleting local data
Settings includes Reset Everything to Factory Settings, which clears app-owned progress, preferences, bookmarks, cached files, and the current installation identifier, then returns to onboarding. Deleting the app also removes its normal local data container. App Store purchase history remains with Apple, and the Keychain free-solve marker may persist as described above.
Device backups
Local app data may be included in device or iCloud backups according to your Apple settings. Apple controls those backup systems under its own terms and privacy practices.
Children and educational use
Algebra Buddy is an educational tool and does not provide social messaging or public profiles. Parents, guardians, schools, and learners should avoid placing personal student information in photographed problems and should follow applicable school rules and privacy requirements.
Security
AI requests use HTTPS, an app-access token, request-size validation, per-installation and global rate limits, structured responses, and provider storage disabled. No internet service can promise absolute security, so only submit the algebra content needed for the requested solve.
Changes to this policy
If Algebra Buddy's privacy practices materially change, this page will be updated with a new effective date and, when appropriate, an in-app or App Store notice.
Contact
Questions, support requests, and privacy concerns can be sent to appsupport@qnsub.com. Please include Algebra Buddy in the subject.