Lebnéne - Lebanese Keyboard Service (App)

The Lebnéne – Lebanese Keyboard is a typing tool that lets you enter Lebanese text using Kelme’s suggested writing system.

• iOS/iPadOS and Android Versions: a full on-screen keyboard you can enable in system settings and use in any app that accepts text input. Where an “app” is provided, its primary purpose is to help you install, enable, and configure the keyboard layout and access instructions. The app and keyboard do not transmit your keystrokes or typed content to Kelme. Functionality may vary slightly by platform and OS version.

• macOS and Windows versions: a system input method/keyboard layout you install once and select from your OS language/input menu. The non-touch layout is built to feel familiar to users of a standard U.S. QWERTY keyboard—letter placement and modifier keys are designed to be predictable and easy to guess—while enabling efficient typing for Lebanese usage.

Kelme is an unincorporated brand/collective initiative with multiple contributors and representatives; it has no single legal owner.

For privacy and support, contact info@kelme-lb.com.

Lebnéne 1.0 was developed by Keith Galdies.

The current Android app is developed and published by Cyclamen Institution, a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Keith Galdies is an independent developer and acts as publisher of record on the Apple App Store for the iOS/iPadOS version.

Apple and Google operate their stores as independent controllers for store-level account, device, and install metadata under their own privacy policies.

Users are individuals or organizations who enable/use the keyboard. All text/content typed with the keyboard remains the user’s property.

Scope and Cost

This Policy applies to the Lebnéne – Lebanese Keyboard app provided by Kelme (directly or via marketplace partners) on iOS/iPadOS, macOS, Android, and Windows (the “Service”). The Service is provided at no cost and “as is.”

Notice at Collection (what we collect and why)

We do not collect personal information from you inside the app. We do not transmit keystrokes or typed content to Kelme.

If an error occurs, we may receive diagnostic data from third-party crash/analytics tools (for example, app/OS version, device model, anonymized technical identifiers, configuration, timestamp, and error traces). We use this only to provide, secure, maintain, and improve the Service and to comply with law. We do not sell personal information and do not “share” it for cross-context behavioral advertising or targeted advertising.

The app itself does not use cookies. Linked third-party sites or libraries (for example, marketplace pages) may use cookies under their own policies.

App Permissions

Permissions vary by platform and version. Android 2.4 and later requests microphone access only if you choose to enable optional Speech Beta. Android 2.3 and later also uses internet access for optional reading; speech setup downloads are described in the Android addendum below. The Android app does not request contacts, photos or precise-location access. For other versions and platforms, see the platform-specific notices.

How We Use Information

We use diagnostic information (if any) to operate, secure, maintain, and improve the Service, and to comply with legal obligations.

Service Providers

We may use third-party companies to host, diagnose, or support the Service. They process data only on our instructions, must safeguard it, and may not use it for their own purposes. Where feasible, diagnostic data is not linked to an identified individual.

Data Retention

Diagnostic data (if any) is retained only as long as necessary for maintenance and security and is then deleted or de-identified. We do not run user accounts and do not collect typed content, so there is generally no user-level data for us to retain.

Security

We use commercially reasonable safeguards, including encryption in transit (TLS) when data is transmitted to service providers. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We reduce risk by minimizing collection.

Children’s Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect their personal information. If we learn we have received such data, we will delete it promptly. Parents/guardians may contact info@kelme-lb.com.

Your Rights and Choices (U.S. & Virginia)

Where applicable (including the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)), you may have rights to access, confirm, correct, delete, and obtain a portable copy of personal data, and to opt out of targeted advertising, sale, or certain profiling. To exercise rights, email info@kelme-lb.com with the subject “Privacy Request.” We will verify and respond as required by law. Virginia residents may appeal by replying “APPEAL.” If unresolved, you may contact the Virginia Attorney General.

Because we do not collect typed content or run accounts, in most cases there will be no personal data for us to access, correct, or delete. For third-party diagnostics, we will help relay your request where feasible.

Content Ownership, Responsibility, and Uses

Any content typed or generated with the keyboard remains the sole property of the user. Kelme does not claim ownership or rights over personal, business, educational, or governmental content produced using the app. Users are responsible for their content and for complying with applicable laws and third-party terms. The app may be used—without restriction—in personal, professional/business, educational, and governmental contexts, subject to law and platform rules.

Links to Other Sites

The Service may link to third-party sites we do not operate. Review those sites’ privacy policies; we are not responsible for their practices.

International Data Transfers

Diagnostics/support data (if any) may be processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. We implement safeguards consistent with applicable law.

Development and Support

The current Android app is developed and published by Cyclamen Institution. The alphabet and visual identity are by Kelme and its contributors. Lebnéne 1.0 was developed by Keith Galdies. For privacy, support and policy questions, contact info@kelme-lb.com. Content typed with the keyboard remains the user’s property.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted here with a new “Latest Update” date. Material changes will be noted clearly at the top.

Legal Disclaimer

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Service is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Kelme, its contributors, partners, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages arising from or in connection with your use of the Service. Your sole remedy is to stop using the Service.

ANDROID — Google Play (Cyclamen Institution, Virginia-based 501(c)(3))

Android development and publication. The current Android app is developed and published on Google Play by Cyclamen Institution, a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The alphabet and visual identity are by Kelme and its contributors. User content remains the user’s property.

Governing law and venue (Android). Because Cyclamen Institution performs Android distribution activities from Virginia, U.S. law and the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia govern this Android version and any disputes arising from it. Exclusive venue is the state or federal courts located in Virginia.

Android typing — version 2.3 and later (com.kelme.lebanese). Typing works offline and requires no account or sign-in. The keyboard does not record or transmit your typing, surrounding text, passwords or clipboard contents. It contains no advertising, analytics or crash-reporting SDK and does not use the Android Advertising ID. Text is inserted only into the field you choose; that app handles its own data.

Optional online reading. The Read section can open Kelme’s website, fetch an article or refresh it when you choose. These features use the internet; the keyboard remains usable without them. The native text reader fetches article text without loading website scripts, cookies or embedded videos.

Website connections. Opening Kelme pages, supporting resources or embedded videos sends ordinary connection information, including your IP address, requested page or video, and browser/device information, to the website’s hosting and content providers, including Google and YouTube. Those services may infer approximate location from an IP address and process browsing or playback interactions for content delivery, security and service analytics under their own policies, including https://policies.google.com/privacy. This is separate from keyboard typing. The app does not send your typing or practice text to the website.

Browser controls. The embedded browser opens Kelme pages only and uses a separate app process. Cookies, file access, uploads, location access and website permission requests are disabled. Connections use HTTPS. There is no bridge that gives the website access to the keyboard’s text.

Optional Speech Beta — Android 2.4 and later. Speech is off by default and is available only on supported devices. Setup downloads an optional engine through Google Play and a separate model from Hugging Face over unmetered Wi-Fi. These providers receive ordinary download connection information, such as IP address, requested file and device information, under their own policies, including https://huggingface.co/privacy. The app does not send them recordings, transcripts, typing or editor contents. After setup, speech recognition and the proposed Kelme spelling run on the device with no cloud or paid-service fallback.

Microphone and draft controls. Recording starts only when you choose Record and stops within 12 seconds. Audio, intermediate text and drafts are held in memory and discarded after completion or cancellation. They are not saved or uploaded. Review the draft and choose Insert draft to put it in the current text field; the app never presses Send. Recognition and spelling can be inaccurate. Cancelling, leaving the text field or switching speech off discards the pending session. Disable speech or remove its model in Beta features; revoke microphone permission in Android settings.

On-device storage and choices. Keyboard preferences and articles you choose to save stay on this device. Practice text and emoji-use history are not saved. Remove saved articles in the reader, clear the app’s storage in Android settings, or uninstall the app to remove local app data. Hosting/content providers handle their server records under their own retention policies. For privacy questions or requests, contact info@kelme-lb.com; requests concerning an independent provider’s records may also need to be directed to that provider.

Version scope. Android 2.0–2.2 has no optional online reader and does not collect or share app data. Earlier Android releases remain covered by the earlier diagnostic notice. For Android 2.3 and later, the optional-reading disclosure supplements and takes precedence over the general no-collection wording elsewhere in this policy. For Android 2.4 and later, the Speech Beta and microphone disclosures also take precedence over older general permission wording. Other platforms are unchanged.

IME system warning. Android may display a warning that keyboards “may be able to collect text you type.” We do not collect keystrokes or typed content. Android version 2.0 and later does not record or transmit typing or diagnostics.

Permissions. Android 2.3 adds internet access for optional Kelme reading. Android 2.4 adds optional microphone access for Speech Beta and network-state access to keep its model download on unmetered Wi-Fi. Microphone permission is requested only after you choose to enable speech; ordinary typing does not require it. The app does not request contacts, photos or precise-location access. Typing and speech processing do not use the internet.

Uninstall/disable. Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → manage keyboards → disable, then uninstall in App info.

Store operator role. Google is an independent controller for Play-store account, device, and install metadata under Google’s privacy policy.

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iOS / iPadOS — Apple App Store (Publisher of record: Keith Galdies)

Publisher of record. The iOS/iPadOS version is published on the Apple App Store by Keith Galdies under a build/submission arrangement. This does not change ownership of the app or user content.

Governing law and venue (iOS/iPadOS). For consistency across all versions, you and we agree that disputes related to the iOS/iPadOS version will be governed by U.S. law and the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with exclusive venue in the state or federal courts located in Virginia, except where platform or local law requires otherwise.

Privacy Nutrition summary. Data collected: Diagnostics (Crash Data, Performance). Data not linked to you. Not used for tracking.

App Tracking Transparency. We do not track users across apps or websites and do not request ATT permission. We do not use IDFA.

“Allow Full Access.” If iOS shows an “Allow Full Access” option, core typing does not require us to collect or transmit keystrokes, and we do not transmit typed content off-device. If a future feature requires Full Access, we will update this Policy and will not use such access to collect keystrokes or content.

Permissions. Only the permissions required to function as a keyboard are requested.

Uninstall/disable. Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → select the keyboard → remove/disable; then delete the app from the Home Screen if desired.

Store operator role. Apple is an independent controller for App Store account, device, and install metadata under Apple’s privacy policy.

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macOS — Direct Distribution (Kelme via kelme-lb.com)

Distribution. The macOS version is distributed directly by Kelme (acting through its designated representative for this app, Elias Bou Issa) via kelme-lb.com.

Governing law and venue (macOS). For consistency across all versions, you and we agree that disputes related to the macOS version will be governed by U.S. law and the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with exclusive venue in the state or federal courts located in Virginia, except where platform or local law requires otherwise.

Privacy summary. We do not collect typed content. We may receive Diagnostics (crash/performance data) from third-party tools. No sale or sharing for advertising.

Permissions. Only those required to function as a keyboard/input source are requested.

Uninstall/disable. Move the app to Trash; remove the keyboard/input source in System Settings if added.

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Windows — Direct Distribution (Kelme via kelme-lb.com)

Distribution. The Windows version is distributed directly by Kelme (acting through its designated representative for this app, Elias Bou Issa) via kelme-lb.com.

Governing law and venue (Windows). For consistency across all versions, you and we agree that disputes related to the Windows version will be governed by U.S. law and the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with exclusive venue in the state or federal courts located in Virginia, except where platform or local law requires otherwise.

Privacy summary. We do not collect typed content. We may receive Diagnostics (crash/performance data) from third-party tools. No sale or sharing for advertising.

Permissions. Only those required to function as an input method are requested.

Uninstall/disable. Settings → Apps → Installed apps → select the app → Uninstall; remove any input method entries under Language & region.

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Apple Privacy Nutrition Label (for iOS/iPadOS):

We collect Diagnostics (Crash Data, Performance). Data is not linked to you. We do not track you across apps or websites.

Google Play Data Safety (Android 2.3 and later):

Typing is not collected or shared. Optional online reading and speech setup downloads involve ordinary connection/device information and provider processing as described above; reading can also involve browsing or playback interactions and approximate location inferred by hosting/content providers. Speech audio and drafts remain on the device and are not collected or shared. No account is required and no Android Advertising ID is used. Google Play processes store-level data under Google’s privacy policy. Android 2.0–2.2 remains covered by its no-app-data-collection disclosure.

Questions, privacy requests, or appeals: info@kelme-lb.com.

If a physical mailing address is required for legal notices, please request it at this email.

Initial Effective Date: June 4, 2022

Latest Update: October 13, 2026 — Android 2.4 adds optional, on-device Speech Beta, with separate downloads, microphone consent and draft review. Typing stays offline and account-free. The Android addendum describes speech setup, microphone use and the existing optional Kelme reading features. Notices for other platforms remain unchanged.