Pinyin Learner Privacy Policy

Effective date: September 7, 2026
Last updated: September 7, 2026

Pinyin Learner helps users practice Mandarin pinyin while reading Chinese text on webpages. This policy explains what information the extension processes, stores, and sends to third-party dictionary services.

Information processed on webpages

When a user activates Pinyin Learner on a webpage, the extension reads visible Chinese text on that page to provide character selection, pinyin practice, progress markings, and dictionary selection. This processing occurs locally in the user’s browser.

Pinyin Learner does not save or transmit the page URL, browsing history, surrounding webpage text, or complete page contents. The extension does not run on a page until the user explicitly activates it.

Dictionary requests

When a user requests a dictionary lookup, Pinyin Learner sends only the selected Chinese character, word, or phrase over HTTPS to Zdic (zdic.net). This is necessary to retrieve the requested pronunciation and definition.

If Zdic reports that no entry exists by returning HTTP 404, the extension sends the same selected Chinese text over HTTPS to Google Translate (translate.google.com). This is necessary to retrieve an English translation and Mandarin transliteration. The extension does not send the originating page URL or surrounding page text with these requests.

Zdic and Google process these requests under their own privacy policies. Pinyin Learner does not control their data-retention practices.

Information stored locally

Pinyin Learner uses Chrome’s extension storage to retain flashcard review data on the user’s device. Stored data may include:

• The Chinese character, word, or phrase the user looked up
• Pinyin and English meanings returned for that lookup
• Lookup and review counts
• Lookup and review timestamps
• Whether the item still needs review

This information is used only to provide the flashcard-review feature. It is not transmitted to the developer and is not used for advertising or analytics.

Review data remains in the browser until the user removes the extension or clears the extension’s stored data. Marking a card “Got it” changes its review status but retains it in the “All saved” deck.

Data collection and sharing

Pinyin Learner has no user accounts, analytics, advertising, tracking pixels, or developer-operated server. The developer does not sell personal information or permit humans to read users’ webpage content or review cards.

The extension shares only user-requested lookup text with Zdic and, following a Zdic 404, Google Translate, as described above. It does not share data for advertising, profiling, or unrelated purposes.

Security

Dictionary requests use HTTPS. Review data is stored through Chrome’s extension storage and is subject to the protections of the user’s browser and device.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated when the extension’s behavior changes. Material changes will be reflected by updating the date at the top of this page and the extension’s Chrome Web Store disclosures where required.

Contact

Questions about this privacy policy can be submitted through the Pinyin Learner issue tracker.