Privacy Policy | Ashimoto Zen
Effective date: October 1, 2026
FREETANCE Inc. ("we," "us," or "our") establishes this Privacy Policy (this "Policy") regarding how we handle user information in the mobile application "Ashimoto Zen" (the "App") that we provide.
1. About the App and the information it handles
In the App, you sit and hold your device; while you keep the device steady in its orientation, the feet on the screen walk forward. The App does not measure the distance you actually walk, your steps, or your location.
The App processes or stores the following information on your device:
- Device orientation data obtained from the device's motion sensors
- App settings (BGM and sound effect volume, tilt tolerance, language, display assistance settings, whether the first-run guide and explanations have been shown or read, and whether sutra subtitles are on or off)
- Notification settings (whether notifications are allowed and the time you chose to receive them)
- Your activity record (days and duration of use, time you held the device steady, paths you visited, etc.). If you used an earlier version, progress information recorded by that version may remain on your device.
Using the App does not require you to enter your name, email address, phone number, or postal address, or to create an account.
2. Purposes of use
We use the information above only for the following purposes:
- Orientation data: to determine the device's orientation and move the feet on the screen
- Settings: so that you can keep using the App with the same settings
- Notification settings: to show a reminder at the time you chose
- Activity record: to show your past walks within the App
3. Storage and transmission
The App processes orientation data on your device and stores your settings and activity record on your device. In the current version, no feature is enabled that sends this information to our own servers or automatically sends it to external analytics services.
- Orientation data: used on the device for orientation checks while the App is running. The results (such as the time you held the device steady) are saved as part of your activity record.
- Settings and activity record: stored in the storage area iOS assigns to the App (UserDefaults and the App's own data area).
- Sutra subtitles: the sutra text, English translation, and subtitle timing are bundled with the App. The App does not record audio or send any audio externally to display subtitles.
Depending on your device settings, this data may be included in iOS backups to iCloud or to a computer. For web pages opened from the App, see "7. Cookies, identifiers, and linked websites."
4. Retention and deletion
You can delete the App's data on your device by deleting the App ("Delete App"). If you use iOS "Offload App," only the App itself is removed and its documents and data remain on your device.
However, depending on your device settings, the data may be included in OS backups, and data within backups is managed and deleted according to the settings provided by Apple. Anything you have saved or shared outside the device yourself, such as screenshots, is not deleted when you delete the App.
5. Notifications
Only if you allow it, the App uses local notifications to show a reminder at the time you specify. Notifications are scheduled on your device; we do not use remote notifications sent from our servers.
You can change notification permission at any time in the iOS Settings app. You can still use the App's main feature (walking) without allowing notifications.
6. Advertising and analytics
The App does not display advertisements. It does not track you using advertising identifiers (such as IDFA) and does not display the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permission prompt. In the current version, no feature is enabled that sends usage information to external analytics services.
We may advertise the App on the App Store. Such ads appear on the App Store; they do not mean that ads are displayed within the App or that the App collects advertising identifiers.
We do not provide or sell to third parties the information the App processes or stores on your device.
7. Cookies, identifiers, and linked websites
The App does not use web tracking cookies and does not track you using advertising identifiers.
When you open web pages such as this Policy from the App, they are shown in your device's external browser. Our website (freetance.com) uses an analytics tool (Google Analytics) and cookies and similar technologies to understand how the site is used. Information on our website is handled as described in our Privacy Policy (https://freetance.com/privacy).
8. Information you provide when contacting us
If you contact us, we use the information you enter in the contact form (your name, email address, optionally your company name and phone number, and your message) to respond to you. You provide this information voluntarily; it is not required to use the App. Information provided when contacting us is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://freetance.com/privacy).
9. Children
The App is offered with an App Store age rating of 4+. The App does not ask you to create an account or enter personal information. If a child sends personal information to us, for example through the contact form, we ask that a parent or guardian review it beforehand.
10. Security
The App's data is stored on your device in the storage area (sandbox) that iOS assigns to each app, which protects it from being read directly by other apps. We also recommend protecting the device itself, for example by setting a passcode and keeping iOS up to date.
11. Changes to this Policy
We may change this Policy due to changes in laws or the App’s functionality. If we make material changes, we will notify you in advance within the App or on our website.
12. Operator information and inquiries
For questions regarding this Policy or how information is handled in the App, please contact us using the information below.
Business name: FREETANCE Inc.
Corporate number: 5120001262366
Address: STUDIO SHINMIDO 927, Miyahara 1-chome 19-23, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka 532-0003, Japan
Phone: +81-80-8894-3382
13. Effective date and revision date
Effective date: April 21, 2026
Last revised: October 1, 2026