Sentinel Resources LLC ("Sentinel Resources," "we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how the VoiceKey mobile application and VoiceKey hardware device handle information when you use VoiceKey.
VoiceKey helps users dictate speech on an iPhone and send the resulting text over Bluetooth Low Energy to a VoiceKey ESP32-S3 hardware device. The hardware then types the text into a connected computer as a standard USB keyboard.
Privacy at a Glance
- VoiceKey does not require a user account.
- VoiceKey does not sell personal information.
- VoiceKey does not use dictated text for advertising, analytics, or profiling.
- VoiceKey does not send dictated text to a VoiceKey-owned cloud server.
- VoiceKey does not store dictated text unless you choose to save text through an app feature.
- VoiceKey uses the iPhone microphone only while dictation is active.
- VoiceKey uses Bluetooth to communicate with VoiceKey hardware.
Information We Collect
VoiceKey is intended to collect as little information as possible.
Dictated Speech and Transcription Text
When you press and hold the physical push-to-talk control on your VoiceKey hardware, the VoiceKey app may access your iPhone microphone and convert your speech into text.
VoiceKey processes speech recognition on the iPhone when supported by Apple's speech recognition APIs and your selected settings. VoiceKey does not operate a transcription server and does not send dictated text to a VoiceKey-owned cloud service.
VoiceKey does not use dictated text for analytics, advertising, profiling, or resale.
Saved KeyPhrase Content
If you use KeyPhrase or a similar saved-template feature, you may choose to save custom phrases, narrative templates, badge numbers, agency names, vehicle identifiers, or other text on your device.
This information is stored locally on your iPhone using normal application storage. It is used only to generate text that you choose to send through VoiceKey. You should not save highly sensitive information in templates unless you are comfortable keeping that information on your device.
Bluetooth Device Information
VoiceKey uses Bluetooth Low Energy to discover, connect to, and communicate with your VoiceKey hardware device. The app may store a trusted device identifier so it can reconnect to your hardware more easily. This identifier is used only for device pairing and reconnection.
App Preferences
VoiceKey may store app settings locally on your device, including trusted device information, selected operating modes, speech recognition preferences, and KeyPhrase settings.
Diagnostics
VoiceKey may display local diagnostic information inside the app to help troubleshoot Bluetooth, firmware handshake, microphone, or speech recognition issues. VoiceKey does not intentionally transmit diagnostic logs to a VoiceKey server. If you choose to send logs or screenshots to support, we will use that information only for troubleshooting and responding to your request.
Permissions We Request
How We Use Information
VoiceKey uses information only to provide its core functions:
- Detecting and connecting to VoiceKey hardware.
- Receiving physical push-to-talk events.
- Starting and stopping speech recognition.
- Showing partial and final transcription in the app.
- Sending selected text over Bluetooth to VoiceKey hardware.
- Typing text through the hardware's USB keyboard function.
- Saving user-created KeyPhrase templates and app preferences.
- Helping diagnose local setup or connection issues.
What VoiceKey Does Not Do
- Sell your personal information.
- Use dictated text for analytics or advertising.
- Require a cloud account or operate a cloud transcription service.
- Intentionally store dictated text after you clear or send it, unless you saved it as a template or preference.
- Record audio continuously in the background.
- Claim to bypass iOS limits on background microphone or speech recognition access.
Apple's Speech Recognition and iOS Services
VoiceKey uses Apple-provided iOS APIs for microphone access and speech recognition. Depending on your device, iOS version, language, locale, and settings, speech recognition may be performed on-device when supported.
If you select a local-only recognition mode and the requested on-device recognition is unavailable, VoiceKey should report that condition instead of silently switching to server-based recognition. Apple's services and iOS privacy controls are governed by Apple's own terms and privacy policies.
Background Use
VoiceKey may use iOS-supported Bluetooth background capabilities where available to maintain or restore communication with VoiceKey hardware. iOS does not permit unlimited background microphone capture or unlimited speech recognition while an app is suspended or the phone is locked. VoiceKey respects Apple's application lifecycle and permission model.
Data Storage and Retention
VoiceKey stores app preferences and user-created templates locally on your iPhone. This information remains on your device until you delete it, reset the app, uninstall the app, or clear the relevant settings.
Dictated text displayed in the app is intended to be temporary unless you save it into a template or another user-controlled feature.
Your Choices
You control VoiceKey's access and locally stored content. You can:
- Deny or revoke microphone permission in iOS Settings.
- Deny or revoke speech recognition permission in iOS Settings.
- Deny or revoke Bluetooth permission in iOS Settings.
- Delete saved KeyPhrase content inside the app.
- Forget a trusted VoiceKey hardware device inside the app.
- Uninstall VoiceKey to remove locally stored app data from your device.
Children's Privacy
VoiceKey is not intended for children under 13 years old. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Security
VoiceKey is designed to minimize collection and avoid unnecessary transmission of personal information. However, no application, device, or communication method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
You are responsible for controlling physical access to your iPhone, your VoiceKey hardware, and the computer where VoiceKey types text.
Professional Use
VoiceKey may be used in professional environments. Users are responsible for following their employer's policies, agency rules, record-retention requirements, and applicable laws when dictating, saving, or transmitting information.
VoiceKey is a text-entry tool. It does not determine whether dictated content is appropriate for a report, legal record, medical record, or other official document.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the effective date shown at the top of this page and provide notice where appropriate.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or VoiceKey's privacy practices, contact:
Sentinel Resources LLC Genuinevaliauga@gmail.com wi-sentinel.com