Duolingo · Duolingo Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

International Data Transfers

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Common · 48 of 325 platforms
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Recent governance activity Duolingo recorded 3 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

Duolingo transfers and stores user data in the United States, where privacy protections may differ from those in a user's home country.

This analysis describes what Duolingo's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The policy states that by using the service, users consent to data transfer to the US, which for EU and UK users intersects with GDPR requirements for lawful international data transfer mechanisms that go beyond consent alone.

Interpretive note: The policy does not specify which GDPR-compliant transfer mechanisms Duolingo relies upon beyond referencing user consent, creating ambiguity about the adequacy of international transfer protections for EU and UK users.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Apr 21, 2026

The updated policy now discloses a new Math Tutor feature that processes audio through Apple for transcription; audio is deleted but text transcripts may be retained and shared with AI vendors. Duoli…

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The policy states that personal data is transferred to and stored in the United States, potentially under legal frameworks with different privacy protections than those applicable in EU, UK, or other jurisdictions.

How other platforms handle this

Mistral AI Medium

Customer authorized Mistral AI to transfer Personal Data to any country deemed to have an adequate level of data protection by the European Commission. Customer also authorizes Mistral AI to perform International Data Transfers to (a) on the basis of adequate safeguards in accordance with Applicable...

Unity Medium

Personal data collected by Unity may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of the European Economic Area, including the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. Where we transfer personal data from the EEA or the UK, we rely on appropriate safeg...

Upwork Medium

When we transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we use appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, to ensure your data is protected.

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Duolingo is based in the United States and the information we collect is governed by U.S. law. By accessing or using our services or otherwise providing information to us, you consent to the processing, transfer, and storage of information in and to the U.S. and other countries, where you may not have the same rights and protections as you do under local law.

— Excerpt from Duolingo's Duolingo Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: International transfers of personal data from the EU and UK to the United States engage GDPR Chapter V and UK GDPR transfer provisions. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses are currently the primary lawful transfer mechanisms. Reliance on user consent as the primary transfer mechanism under GDPR Article 49 is permitted only for non-repetitive, occasional transfers under EDPB guidance, meaning a broader transfer mechanism is generally required for systematic data flows. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The policy's assertion that users 'consent' to US data transfers by using the service may not constitute a valid transfer mechanism under GDPR for systematic international data flows. Organizations relying on consent alone for repeated transfers to the US face regulatory exposure under GDPR Chapter V. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU and EEA users have the highest exposure given GDPR Chapter V requirements. UK users are subject to UK GDPR international transfer rules. Users in countries with adequacy decisions or bilateral agreements may have additional protections. Users in jurisdictions without specific international transfer protections have limited recourse. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise or institutional customers contracting with Duolingo for use by EU or UK employees or students should request information about the specific transfer mechanisms Duolingo relies upon, such as Standard Contractual Clauses or the EU-US Data Privacy Framework certification, and incorporate appropriate contractual terms. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should verify that Duolingo has implemented and documented appropriate transfer mechanisms for EU and UK personal data flows to the United States, and that these are reflected in the privacy policy and records of processing activities. Transfer impact assessments may be required for high-risk data flows.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • State AG
    State Attorneys General in applicable US states and data protection authorities in EU and UK jurisdictions have enforcement authority over international data transfer compliance.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
COPPA
United States Federal
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Duolingo Privacy Policy
Entity
Duolingo
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 12, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011282
Document ID
CA-D-00084
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
2dade822ccc0a9857012fa095dd3b53bfd7ed24f07f06c2c24446c668fae1eea
Analysis generated
May 12, 2026 08:26 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Duolingo
Document: Duolingo Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-011282
Captured: 2026-05-12 08:26:59 UTC
SHA-256: 2dade822ccc0a985…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/duolingo/duolingo-privacy-policy/international-data-transfers/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Duolingo's International Data Transfers clause do?

The policy states that by using the service, users consent to data transfer to the US, which for EU and UK users intersects with GDPR requirements for lawful international data transfer mechanisms that go beyond consent alone.

How does this clause affect you?

The policy states that personal data is transferred to and stored in the United States, potentially under legal frameworks with different privacy protections than those applicable in EU, UK, or other jurisdictions.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 48 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Duolingo?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Duolingo.