← Back to Support
Overview
Effective Date: January 1, 2025
Last Updated: January 1, 2025
Plant Forager ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application Plant Forager (the "App").
Key Point: Plant Forager is designed with privacy in mind. Most features work offline, and we minimize data collection to only what's necessary for the app to function properly.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
- Photos: Images of plants you take for identification purposes
- Location Data: GPS coordinates (only when you explicitly enable location services) to provide location-specific plant recommendations
- User Preferences: Settings and preferences you configure within the app
Automatically Collected Information
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and app version for troubleshooting
- Usage Analytics: How you interact with the app to improve user experience (anonymized)
- Crash Reports: Technical data when the app crashes to help us fix bugs
Information We Do NOT Collect
- Personal identifying information (name, email, phone number) unless you contact us directly
- Access to your photo library beyond the images you explicitly share with the app
- Browsing history or data from other apps
- Audio recordings or microphone access
How We Use Your Information
Plant Identification
Photos you take are processed using our AI technology to identify plants. This processing happens primarily on your device to protect your privacy.
Location Services
When enabled, location data helps us:
- Recommend plants native to your area
- Provide seasonal information relevant to your region
- Enhance identification accuracy with regional plant databases
App Improvement
We use anonymized usage data to:
- Fix bugs and improve app performance
- Understand which features are most helpful
- Enhance the accuracy of our plant identification AI
Data Storage and Security
Local Storage
Most of your data is stored locally on your device, including:
- Plant database and identification models
- Your photos and identification history
- App preferences and settings
Cloud Storage
Limited data may be stored securely in the cloud for:
- App updates and database improvements
- Crash reporting and bug fixes
- Anonymous usage analytics
Security Measures
We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Secure servers and data centers
- Regular security audits and updates
- Minimal data collection principles
Sharing and Disclosure
We Do Not Sell Your Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Limited Sharing
We may share anonymized, aggregated data with:
- Research Partners: Botanical institutions for plant identification research (no personal data)
- Service Providers: Cloud hosting and analytics services (with strict privacy agreements)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect user safety
Your Rights and Choices
Location Services
You can enable or disable location services at any time through your device settings or within the app.
Data Deletion
You can:
- Delete individual photos and identification history within the app
- Clear all app data by deleting and reinstalling the app
- Contact us to request deletion of any cloud-stored data
Analytics Opt-Out
You can disable analytics and crash reporting in the app settings if you prefer not to share usage data.
Children's Privacy
Plant Forager is suitable for all ages, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Parents should supervise children's use of the app, especially when using the camera or location features.
International Users
Plant Forager is available worldwide. If you're using the app outside your country of residence, please note that your data may be transferred to and processed in countries where our servers are located. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify users of significant changes through:
- App Store update notifications
- In-app notifications
- Updates to this page
Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us: