EmpaThink Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 24, 2026

1. Overview

EmpaThink is an AI-powered emotion analysis application developed as part of doctoral research at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (PMF), University of Sarajevo. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your data.

2. Data We Collect

• Account information: Email address, display name (via Google Sign-In or email registration)
• Demographic data: Age, country, education level (provided during registration)
• Emotion analysis data: Text input, voice recordings, facial images — processed in real-time and not stored on our servers
• Analysis results: Detected emotions, confidence scores, session summaries
• Feedback data: Accuracy ratings, trust scores, sub-emotion selections
• Research questionnaires: PHQ-9, GAD-7, SUS, WAI-SR responses (if participating in research)

3. How We Use Your Data

• To provide emotion analysis and empathic AI responses
• To track your emotional wellbeing over time
• For academic research on explainable AI and user trust in emotion-aware systems
• To improve the accuracy of our emotion detection models

4. Data Processing

All emotion analysis (face, voice, text) is performed in real-time. Input data (images, audio, text) is processed in memory on our backend server and is not permanently stored. Only the analysis results (detected emotions, confidence scores) are saved to your account.

5. Data Storage & Security

• Data is stored in Google Cloud Firestore with encryption at rest
• All communications use HTTPS with TLS 1.2+
• Authentication via Firebase Authentication (Google OAuth / email)
• Backend performs no persistent storage of raw input data

6. Data Sharing

Your data is never sold or shared with third parties for commercial purposes. Anonymized, aggregated data may be used in academic publications as part of the doctoral research. Individual data is never identifiable in any publication.

7. Your Rights (GDPR)

• Access: You can view all your data within the app (History screen)
• Deletion: You can request deletion of all your data via Settings → Privacy & Data
• Portability: You can export your data in the app
• Withdrawal: You can withdraw from research participation at any time

8. Children's Privacy

EmpaThink is designed for users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Users under the age of 18 should obtain parental or guardian consent before using the app.

9. Data Retention

Data is retained for 5 years following the completion of the doctoral research, after which it will be anonymized or deleted in accordance with University of Sarajevo data retention policies.

10. Safety Features

EmpaThink includes mental health safety features. If clinical screening scores indicate elevated distress, the app displays crisis resources and helpline information.

11. Contact

For questions about this privacy policy or your data:

Researcher: Selma Skopljakovic Hubljar
Institution: PMF, University of Sarajevo
Email: selma.skopljakovic@pmf.unsa.ba

12. Changes

We may update this privacy policy. Users will be notified of significant changes through the app.