Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Account Information: Email address, username, profile picture
• Contact Details: Name, email address for support communications
• Payment Information: Billing details for premium subscriptions (processed securely by third-party providers)

Plant Images and Data

To provide our AI-powered identification service, we collect:

• Plant Photos: Images you upload for identification (Free users: 1 per day; Premium users: unlimited)
• Location Data: Optional GPS coordinates to improve identification accuracy
• Plant Care Information: Notes, observations, and care logs you create
• User Feedback: Corrections and confirmations about identification results

Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical data:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version
• Usage Analytics: How you interact with our app features
• Performance Data: Crash reports, error logs for service improvement
• IP Address: For security and analytics purposes

2. How We Use Your Information

Core Service Functions

• Providing AI-powered plant identification
• Generating personalized care recommendations
• Maintaining your plant collection and care history
• Enabling community features and plant sharing

Service Improvement

• Training and improving our AI models
• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance user experience
• Developing new features and functionalities
• Conducting research for botanical accuracy

Communication

• Sending service-related notifications
• Providing customer support
• Sharing plant care tips and educational content
• Marketing communications (with your consent)

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data in these limited circumstances:

Service Providers

• Cloud Storage: Secure image and data storage
• AI Processing: Third-party AI services for plant identification
• Analytics: Anonymized usage analytics
• Payment Processing: Secure payment handling

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Protect our rights and property
• Prevent fraud or abuse
• Ensure user and public safety

Research and Development

We may share anonymized and aggregated data with:

• Botanical research institutions
• Academic partners for scientific studies
• Conservation organizations

4. Data Security

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments

Organizational Measures

• Employee training on data protection
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular review of data handling practices
• Incident response procedures

5. Your Privacy Rights

Access and Control

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correct: Update inaccurate or incomplete information
• Delete: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Export: Download your plant collection and care data

Marketing Communications

• Opt-out of marketing emails at any time
• Control push notification preferences in-app
• Manage cookie preferences (web version)

Data Portability

You can export your data in standard formats to use with other services.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services:

• Account Data: Until you delete your account
• Plant Images: As long as needed for identification and model training
• Usage Analytics: Typically 24-36 months
• Support Records: 3 years after resolution

After deletion, some anonymized data may be retained for research and service improvement.

7. Children's Privacy

WhatPlant is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware of such collection, we will take steps to delete the information promptly.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

• Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
• Standard contractual clauses
• Certification schemes

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze app usage and performance
• Provide personalized content
• Prevent fraud and enhance security

You can control cookie settings through your browser or device preferences.

10. Third-Party Services

WhatPlant integrates with third-party services:

• Cloud Storage Providers: For secure data storage
• Analytics Services: For usage insights
• Payment Processors: For subscription handling
• Social Media: For community features (optional)

These services have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we make significant changes:

• We'll notify you through the app or email
• We'll provide a summary of key changes
• You'll have the opportunity to review before the changes take effect

12. Contact Us