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1. Introduction
Welcome to BotaniSense ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection, processing, and sharing when you use the BotaniSense mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service").
By using BotaniSense, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
- Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, display name, and profile information.
- Photos and Images: You may upload or capture photos of plants for identification, analysis, or sharing purposes.
- User Content: Information you provide when using features such as plant diary entries, community posts, comments, and other user-generated content.
- Location Data: If you choose to enable location services, we may collect location information to provide context-aware features such as climate zone information and localized plant care recommendations.
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version, and unique device identifiers.
- Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the Service, including features used, pages visited, and time spent on different sections.
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, and other technical information necessary for service operation.
Local Photo Search - Privacy First: Our local photo search feature is designed with privacy as a priority. When you search your local photo library:
- Photos remain on your device: All photos in your library are processed entirely on your device. No images are transmitted to our servers or third-party services.
- Search results stay local: All search results, photo metadata, and matching information remain on your device.
- Text query encoding: To enable semantic search capabilities, your text search query may be encoded using cloud-based text encoding services. However, only the text query itself (not your photos or any information about your photos) is sent for encoding.
All photo processing, matching, and result generation for local photo search occurs on-device, ensuring maximum privacy for your photo library.
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Service Provision
- Provide plant identification and analysis services
- Deliver personalized plant care recommendations
- Enable community features, including posts, comments, and interactions
- Maintain and improve the Service's functionality
- Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
3.2 Cloud-Based Features
When you use cloud-based features (such as cloud AI analysis, photo uploads for identification, or community sharing), your images and associated metadata may be transmitted to and processed by third-party cloud service providers. These providers are contractually obligated to handle your data securely and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
3.3 Machine Learning Model Training
Model Training: Images and associated data that you submit to cloud-based features may be used to train, improve, and refine our machine learning models. This includes plant identification models, image analysis algorithms, and other AI systems. By using cloud-based features, you consent to the use of your submitted content for these purposes. We take measures to anonymize and aggregate data where possible, but some images may be retained in their original form for training purposes.
3.4 Personalization
We may personalize your experience based on your activity, including:
- Recommending plants based on your identification history
- Customizing care recommendations based on your location and climate
- Tailoring community content to your interests
- Providing relevant features and suggestions based on your usage patterns
3.5 Analytics and Improvement
- Analyze usage patterns to improve our Service
- Monitor and prevent technical issues and security threats
- Conduct research and development to enhance features
4. Community Features and Public Content
4.1 Public Posts and Content
When you create posts, comments, or share content in the community features, such content may be publicly visible to other users. You are responsible for the content you share and should not post personal information, sensitive data, or content you do not wish to make public.
Important - Public Content Persistence: When you share content publicly through our community features, that content may remain accessible to others even after you delete it from your account. This is similar to how other social platforms operate (e.g., Reddit, where public posts may remain in search results, archives, or caches after deletion). While we will make reasonable efforts to remove your content upon deletion, we cannot guarantee that all copies will be immediately removed from all systems, third-party services, or user devices that may have cached or saved your content.
4.2 Community Guidelines
- Be respectful and civil in all interactions
- Do not share personal information about yourself or others
- Respect intellectual property rights and only share content you have the right to post
- Follow applicable laws and community standards
- Report inappropriate content or behavior
4.3 Content Moderation
We reserve the right to review, modify, or remove any content that violates our terms of service or community guidelines. We may also take action against accounts that engage in prohibited activities.
5. Data Sharing and Third-Party Services
5.1 Third-Party Service Providers
We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:
- Cloud Storage Providers: For storing and processing images and data
- AI/ML Service Providers: For plant identification and image analysis
- Analytics Services: To understand usage patterns and improve our Service
- Authentication Services: For user account management and security
All third-party service providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.
5.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to:
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or others
- Prevent or investigate fraud or security issues
5.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your information.
5.4 We Do Not Sell Your Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
6. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Secure authentication and access controls
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to:
- Provide the Service to you
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
- Support our legitimate business interests (such as improving our Service)
When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes or where it has been shared publicly and may remain accessible as described in Section 4.1.
8. Your Rights and Choices
8.1 Access and Control
You have the right to:
- Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements
- Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
- Opt-Out: Opt out of certain data collection and processing activities where permitted
8.2 Account Settings
You can manage many aspects of your information and privacy preferences through your account settings, including:
- Updating your profile information
- Managing location permissions
- Controlling visibility of your profile and content
- Deleting your account
8.3 Location Data
You can control location data collection through your device settings. Disabling location services may limit certain features but will not affect core functionality.
9. Children's Privacy
BotaniSense is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. When we transfer your information internationally, we take appropriate safeguards to ensure your information is protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws, including through the use of standard contractual clauses or other approved mechanisms.
11. California Privacy Rights
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:
- The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
- The right to delete your personal information
- The right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your information)
- The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 13.
12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:
- The right to access, rectify, or erase your personal data
- The right to restrict or object to processing of your personal data
- The right to data portability
- The right to withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Our legal basis for processing your information includes: (1) your consent, (2) performance of a contract, (3) compliance with legal obligations, (4) protection of vital interests, and (5) legitimate interests.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
- Providing in-app notifications for significant changes
- Sending email notifications when required by law
Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
BotaniSense
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://BotaniSense.App
We will respond to your inquiry within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date listed above and applies to all users of BotaniSense.