Last updated: July 15, 2026 / Version 1.0
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how information is handled by "rVAS" (the "App"), a general-purpose research tool for recording Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) responses. The App is designed for researchers at universities and research institutions who need to freely design experimental conditions, VAS items, and subject-information forms across a wide range of research fields, and to record and aggregate subjects' subjective ratings in VAS format. The App is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosis, treatment, or any other medical purpose.
2. Basic Approach to Handling Information in the App
All data handled by the App (project settings, condition and stimulus media, VAS items, subject information, experiment response results, device calibration values, etc.) is stored only on your own device, in the browser's localStorage and IndexedDB. The developer has not implemented any mechanism to collect, receive, view, or store this data, and the App does not transmit data to any external server or synchronize it to the cloud. Accordingly, no third party, including the developer, can access data stored on a user's (researcher's) device.
3. Types of Information Collected
The following information is entered and stored on the device through actions taken by the user (researcher). None of it is transmitted to the developer.
3-1. Project and Experiment Design Information
- Settings such as project name, experimental conditions, stimuli (images, video, audio), VAS items, and presentation patterns
3-2. Subject Information
Information about subjects that the researcher enters when conducting an experiment. The following are required fields:
- Subject ID
- Experiment date
- Age
- Sex (selectable: male, female, or other)
Note that the App does not require entry of the subject's name as a required field. Researchers may add a name-like field as an optional field depending on their research design, but even then, the App does not require entry of the subject's real, legal name; a pseudonym, identification code, initials, or other non-identifying value may be used instead. How this field is used is left to the researcher's judgment and the ethics review policies of their institution.
In addition, researchers can set up and add free-text or multiple-choice optional fields on a per-project basis (for example, height, weight, medical history, or other attribute information needed for the research). If a researcher configures an optional field as "required," the experiment cannot be started until that field is filled in.
3-3. Experiment Results (VAS Response Data)
- Each subject's response value for each VAS item, the date and time of the session, etc.
3-4. Stimulus Media
- The actual image, video, and audio files that researchers register for each condition (selected from the device's Files or Photos)
3-5. Device Calibration Values
- Device-specific display calibration information, such as the number of display pixels for the VAS input line
4. Where and How Information Is Stored
- Project settings and session history are stored in localStorage on the device.
- Stimulus media files themselves are stored in IndexedDB on the device.
- None of this data is transmitted or copied outside the device on which the App runs (e.g., to a server or cloud storage).
Because the App relies on local, on-device storage, data may be lost due to browser data deletion, device failure, or loss of the device. We recommend that users regularly back up important data at their own discretion, for example by exporting XLSX files or project templates (.rvas files).
5. Purpose of Use
Information handled by the App is used by the user (researcher) solely for their own research purposes — conducting experiments, recording VAS responses, and exporting, aggregating, and analyzing results in XLSX format. The developer does not use this information for any independent purpose of their own, and the App is designed so that the developer does not obtain this information in the first place.
6. Disclosure to Third Parties
Because the developer has no way to obtain the subject information, experiment results, or other data that users (researchers) store on their devices, the developer does not provide, sell, or disclose such data to any third party.
Researchers may, at their own discretion, use the App's own features (such as exporting experiment results as XLSX files or sharing a project design as a .rvas file) to share or transmit data to external parties (e.g., co-researchers, an analysis device, or cloud storage). In such cases, responsibility for how that information is handled rests with the researcher who performs the action. A .rvas file contains only project design information (conditions, VAS items, presentation patterns, etc.) and does not include entered subject information, experiment response data, device calibration values, or the stimulus media files themselves.
7. Responsibility for Data Management
The App is a tool that provides researchers with the ability to enter and store personal information obtained from subjects (name, age, sex, etc.). Responsibility for the lawful collection of such personal information (including explaining the research to subjects and obtaining their consent), as well as its storage, use, and disposal, rests not with the developer of the App but with the researcher using the App (and with the research ethics review framework of the university or institution to which that researcher belongs).
Because the developer has no direct relationship with subjects and is not designed to access such personal information, the developer is not the primary point of contact for matters such as restrictions on third-party disclosure or requests for disclosure under applicable personal information protection laws. Subjects who wish to request disclosure, correction, or deletion of their information should contact the researcher or institution that conducted the experiment.
8. Retention Period and Deletion
The retention period for data is left to the discretion of the user (researcher); the developer does not impose a uniform retention period.
- Projects and experiment results can be deleted from the device using the App's delete function.
- If the App is uninstalled, all data stored on the device (including data in localStorage and IndexedDB) is removed from the device.
9. Tracking and Advertising
The App does not incorporate any cookies, SDKs, or similar technology for advertising delivery, behavioral targeting, or analytics-related tracking.
10. Handling of Payment Information (In-App Purchases)
When you use a subscription or one-time purchase feature within the App, payment processing is handled through Apple's StoreKit. Payment information such as credit card numbers is managed by Apple (or its payment processing partner); the developer does not obtain, retain, or view this information. For inquiries about the purchase process or refunds, please refer to Apple's policies and support channels (the App Store).
Please note that, to the extent there is any discrepancy, the terms displayed on the App Store and Apple's own terms of service (including the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions) shall take precedence over this Policy regarding the specific terms of purchases and refunds.
11. When Subjects Are Minors
For research involving minors as subjects, please handle subject information in accordance with the procedures required by the applicable research ethics review, including obtaining parental or guardian consent. The App itself has no function to distinguish handling based on a subject's age; all subject information is treated the same way and is stored only on the device.
12. Changes to This Policy
The content of this Policy may change in response to amendments to applicable laws or additions to the App's features. If a material change is made, notice will be provided within the App or on this page.
13. Governing Law
This Policy shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of Japan.
14. Contact
If you have any questions about this Policy, please contact us at the address below.
Developer: Takuya Watanabe
Contact email: