Legal
Privacy Policy
Effective date: 29 September 2026
Who we are
Gloss is a language-learning reading app published by SMOOTHIE WEB DESIGN LIMITED (“Smooth”, “we”, “us”). For GDPR, Smooth is the controller of personal data processed through the Gloss iOS app.
- App: Gloss (
ie.smooth.glossapp) - Website: https://glossreading.com
- Email: hello@smooth.ie
- Address: 29 Convent Hall, Mount Saint Annes, Milltown, Dublin D06 YP73, Ireland
- Company number: 611831
What Gloss is
Gloss lets you read public-domain books in a learning language (English or Spanish) with tap-to-translate, saved words, and review games. You can use a free plan (the first chapter of each book) or subscribe to Premium through the App Store.
Gloss does not require an account. We do not run a Gloss login or profile, and we do not sync your reading progress or saved words to our servers. If you report a problem with a translation, that report is sent to us so we can fix the content (see below).
What we collect (and what we do not)
We do not collect
- Name, email, or phone number inside the app (unless you email us)
- A Gloss login or profile
- Analytics, advertising IDs, or crash reports in the app
- Precise location
- Payment card details (Apple processes payments)
Stored only on your iPhone
The app keeps the following on the device so Gloss can work offline and remember your place:
- Language pair, theme, typeface, and reader settings
- Which book is on your reading shelf
- Reading progress (chapter, page, completion)
- Words and phrases you bookmark, including translations and related audio references
- Downloaded chapter packages (text, audio, and related files)
This data stays on the device. Uninstalling Gloss, or using the in-app reset controls, removes it. We cannot recover it for you.
Processed when you use the app
When you download a chapter or load chapter artwork, your device requests files from our content host (Amazon Web Services, Ireland / EU). When a chapter is installed, the app may also request a small corrections file from glossreading.com so published translation or audio fixes can be applied without re-publishing the whole chapter. Those requests typically include standard technical data such as IP address, device type, and which file was requested. We use this only to deliver content and operate the service.
If you report a translation issue
Reporting is optional. If you use Report translation in the reader, the app sends a content report to us at glossreading.com. That report includes the word or phrase you tapped, its translation, the surrounding sentence, an issue category (for example translation, audio, or typo), the chapter identifier, app version, and — only if you choose Other — any details you type. It does not include your name, email, Apple ID, or reading progress.
We use reports to correct books. We do not use them for advertising or to build a user profile.
When you subscribe, restore purchases, or manage a subscription, Apple processes the transaction under Apple’s terms. We receive an entitlement signal (whether Premium is active and which plan) through StoreKit. We do not receive your Apple ID password or card number.
If you email support
If you write to hello@smooth.ie, we will process the content of that email (and your email address) to reply. We keep support mail only as long as needed to handle the request.
If you send a note from the support page, we store what you write, and the iOS or app version if you add one, so we can see what is not working. That form does not ask for your name or email. We keep the note only as long as needed to read it.
If you visit glossreading.com
The website uses Google Analytics to count visits and see which pages are used. Google may set cookies or similar identifiers and process technical data such as IP address, device type, and pages viewed. We use this to understand the site. We do not use it to advertise. See Google’s Privacy Policy.
Why we process data (GDPR)
| Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Store settings, progress, and saved words on your device | Legitimate interests (providing the app you chose to use); contract where you subscribe |
| Deliver chapter files, artwork, and correction overlays | Contract / legitimate interests (providing the reading service) |
| Receive optional translation reports and improve content | Legitimate interests (fixing errors you chose to report) |
| Confirm Premium via Apple | Contract (the subscription you bought) |
| Answer support email and read notes sent from the support page | Legitimate interests, or contract if the message is about your subscription |
| Measure visits to glossreading.com (Google Analytics) | Legitimate interests (running the public website) |
We do not sell personal data. We do not use your reading activity for advertising.
Who else sees data
- Apple — In-App Purchases, restore, and subscription management. See Apple’s Privacy Policy.
- Amazon Web Services (EU) — Hosting of chapter packages and images so the app can download them.
- Our website host for glossreading.com — Serves correction files and receives translation reports.
- Google — Google Analytics on glossreading.com. See Google’s Privacy Policy.
We do not share on-device reading data with these providers as a user profile. Apple and AWS process technical or payment data as described above. Reports are stored so we can act on them; they are not tied to a Gloss account.
International transfers
Content is hosted in the EU (AWS Europe). Google Analytics may process website data outside the EEA under Google’s terms and safeguards. If Apple or another provider processes data outside the EEA, that is under their own terms and safeguards.
Retention
On-device data remains until you delete it in the app, reset the device, or uninstall Gloss. Support emails and notes from the support page are kept only as long as needed. Translation reports are kept only as long as needed to review and fix the content. Website analytics are kept by Google according to the Google Analytics settings. We do not retain a server-side copy of your library or progress.
Your rights (EEA / UK)
You may ask us for access, correction, deletion, restriction, or objection, and you may lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission (or your local authority). Because Gloss does not hold an account or a copy of your on-device library, many of these rights are exercised on the device (change settings, clear saved words, uninstall). For a support email, a note from the support page, or a translation report you sent us, contact hello@smooth.ie.
Children
Gloss is a general language-learning app. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13.
Changes
We may update this policy. The effective date at the top will change. Continued use of Gloss after an update means you accept the revised policy.
Contact
Privacy questions: hello@smooth.ie
SMOOTHIE WEB DESIGN LIMITED, company number 611831
29 Convent Hall, Mount Saint Annes, Milltown, Dublin D06 YP73, Ireland