These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of EarTexts (the "App"), a browser-based tool that converts typed text to spoken audio and spoken audio to text. By opening or using the App, you agree to these Terms. If you don't agree, please don't use the App.
1. What EarTexts is
EarTexts is a free, single-page web application that reads typed text aloud, using your browser's built-in Web Speech API for on-screen playback, and a third-party cloud text-to-speech service (accessed via the Puter.js SDK) to generate a downloadable audio file.
On-screen playback happens locally in your browser and does not involve any server. Downloading audio does involve sending your text to a third-party service for processing — see Section 2 below. EarTexts itself does not operate any backend server of its own, and does not request or use your microphone for any purpose.
2. Third-party speech service (for downloads only)
The "Download Audio" feature works differently from on-screen playback. To generate a real, downloadable audio file, EarTexts sends your typed text to a third-party cloud text-to-speech provider via the Puter.js SDK (by default, Amazon Polly; other providers may be used depending on configuration). This requires an internet connection at the time of download, and your text is transmitted to that provider's servers for processing. This is separate from the on-screen "Speak" button, which uses only your own device's built-in voices and never sends your text anywhere.
3. Acceptable use
You agree to use EarTexts only for lawful purposes. You won't use it to:
- Generate content that is illegal, harmful, or infringes on someone else's rights
- Attempt to disrupt, reverse-engineer for malicious purposes, or overload the App
- Use the App to spread misleading audio or text without disclosure
- Submit text to the download feature that violates the acceptable-use terms of the underlying third-party speech provider
4. No account, no warranty
EarTexts doesn't require registration and doesn't maintain user accounts. The App is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Voice quality, available languages, and the availability of the download feature depend on your browser, operating system, and the third-party speech service — not on EarTexts. EarTexts does not guarantee the download feature will always be available, as it depends on a service EarTexts does not operate.
5. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, EarTexts and its creators are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the App — including mispronunciations, failed or lost audio downloads, third-party service outages, or reliance on generated content for any purpose.
6. Third-party services
EarTexts relies on: (a) the Web Speech API and related browser features, built, maintained, and governed by your browser vendor (e.g., Google, Apple, Microsoft, Mozilla), used for on-screen playback; (b) Puter.js and the cloud text-to-speech provider it connects to (by default Amazon Polly), used only when you choose to download audio; and (c) Google Analytics and Google AdSense, used to measure usage and display ads, subject to your cookie consent choice as described in the Privacy Policy. Their own terms and privacy practices apply to how those underlying services function and process your data. EarTexts has no control over, and makes no representations about, the behavior, availability, or data practices of these third-party components.
7. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the App or for legal reasons. If we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date above. Continuing to use EarTexts after changes take effect means you accept the revised Terms.
8. Contact
If you have questions about these Terms, please reach out through the channel where you obtained this App.
See also our Privacy Policy for details on what data (if any) is processed and how.