Privacy Policy

隱私政策

Privacy Policy
for PéiNín - AI Companion for Seniors · an app by PéiNín Foundation
Effective Date: September 3, 2026  ·  Last Updated: September 3, 2026

PéiNín Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 42-2179578) that builds technology to protect and connect Chinese American seniors. Our app, PéiNín - AI Companion for Seniors, is an AI-powered voice companion for English, Mandarin, and Cantonese-speaking seniors and their families.

This policy explains what data the app collects, how it is collected, all the ways it is used, and the third-party providers we share it with. If you have any questions, contact us at info@peininfoundation.org.

1.Information We Collect

When you create an account and use the app, we collect the following information:

2.Third-Party Services

To understand what you say and to reply to you, PéiNín sends your information to the service providers listed below. We do not sell your information, and we do not use it for advertising.

Groq, Inc.

Converts your voice recording into text.

Receives: your voice recording.

Under our agreement with Groq, Groq is not permitted to use this data to train or fine-tune any AI model, and does not retain it by default.

Google LLC (Gemini API)

Generates the companion's replies.

Receives: the text of what you said, your recent messages in the conversation, and the profile information listed above — your name, language, interests, family notes, emergency contact, medication names, and your location when location sharing is turned on.

We use the paid tier of the Gemini API, under which Google does not use this data to train its models.

MiniMax

Converts the companion's reply into speech so it can be read aloud to you.

Receives: the text of the reply only, which may include your name. It does not receive your voice recording or any of your profile information.

Google Maps Platform

Finds nearby places, such as restaurants or pharmacies, when you ask for them.

Receives: your location and the name of the place you asked about.

Amazon Web Services

Stores voice recordings and generated audio.

Each of these providers is bound by contract or by their published terms to protect your information to a standard equal to the protections described in this policy, to use it only to provide their service to us, and not to disclose or use it for their own purposes.

Before you can use the AI companion, the app asks you to agree to this sharing. Nothing is sent to these providers until you do.

3.How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect only to provide and improve the app's features:

PéiNín Foundation does not use your personal information for advertising, does not display ads, and does not sell your personal data to any third party.

4.Voice & Conversation Data

The core feature of PéiNín is voice conversation. When you speak to the app:

5.SOS Emergency Alerts

PéiNín includes a one-touch SOS emergency alert feature. When SOS is activated:

The SOS feature sends alerts to your designated family contacts only. It does not automatically contact 911 or any emergency dispatch service.

6.Family & Caregiver Access

Adult children and caregivers can link their account to a senior's account to provide support and receive safety updates. Access is scoped to protect the senior's privacy.

Family members can see:

Family members cannot see:

Family connections are established through an explicit account-linking process. To remove a linked family member, contact us at info@peininfoundation.org and we will process the removal within 7 business days.

7.Data Retention

When you request account deletion, we will delete or permanently anonymize your personal data within 30 days, except where we are required by law to retain certain records longer. You can request deletion at any time — see our Delete Account page.

8.Data Security

No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at info@peininfoundation.org.

9.Your Rights & Choices

Access. You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

Correction. You may update your name, language, and interests in the app at any time.

Deletion. You may request deletion of your account and all associated data at any time via our Delete Account page. Deleted conversation history cannot be recovered.

Location Sharing. You may withdraw location permission at any time through your device settings. This does not affect SOS functionality.

Push Notifications. You may disable notifications through your device settings, though this will prevent delivery of reminders and safety alerts.

10.California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request its deletion, and to non-discrimination for exercising your rights. PéiNín Foundation does not sell personal information, so no opt-out of sale is needed.

To submit a request, email info@peininfoundation.org with the subject "California Privacy Rights Request." We will respond within 45 days and may ask you to verify your identity.

11.Children's Privacy

The PéiNín app is designed for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information, contact us at info@peininfoundation.org and we will delete it promptly.

12.PéiNín Is Not a Medical Service

PéiNín is a companion app, not a medical device, clinical service, or healthcare provider. Nothing in the app constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or a family member have a medical emergency, contact 911 or your local emergency services directly. The SOS feature notifies family contacts and is not a substitute for emergency medical services.

PéiNín Foundation is not a covered entity under HIPAA and does not represent itself as providing HIPAA-compliant services.

13.Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as the app evolves or as legal requirements change. When we make material changes, we will post the updated policy at peininfoundation.org/privacy.html with a new "Last Updated" date, and provide an in-app notice when the changes are significant.

Recent change: Our third-party service providers are now identified by name in Section 2 ("Third-Party Services").

14.Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out: