Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AI Plant Assistant ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience when using our mobile application and services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our AI Plant Assistant application.

By using our app, 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 app.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Name (if provided)
• Profile picture/avatar (if provided)
• Authentication information managed by Firebase (our authentication provider)

2.2 Camera and Image Data

Our app requires camera access to provide plant identification and health diagnosis features. When you use these features:

• We collect images you capture using your device's camera
• Images are processed using AI services (OpenAI) to identify plants and diagnose plant health
• Images are compressed before transmission to reduce data usage
• Images are stored securely in cloud storage (AWS S3) associated with your account
• Images may be included in your plant journal entries

Note: We do not access your camera without your explicit permission. You can revoke camera access at any time through your device settings.

2.3 Plant and Care Data

We collect information about your plants and care activities:

• Plant identification data (species, common name, scientific name)
• Plant care information (watering schedules, sunlight requirements, care guides)
• Journal entries including notes and timestamps
• Reminder settings for plant care tasks
• Plant locations and nicknames

2.4 Usage and Technical Data

We automatically collect certain information when you use our app:

• Device information (device type, operating system)
• App usage patterns and feature interactions
• Error logs and crash reports
• Subscription status and premium features usage

2.5 Notification Data

If you enable notifications for plant care reminders:

• We store your reminder preferences and schedules
• We use local notifications to remind you of care tasks
• Notification permissions are managed through your device settings

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Plant Identification: To identify plants from images using AI technology
• Health Diagnosis: To analyze plant health and provide care recommendations
• Personalization: To provide personalized care guides and recommendations based on your plants
• Journal Management: To store and organize your plant care journal entries
• Reminders: To send you notifications about plant care tasks
• Account Management: To create and manage your account, authenticate you, and provide customer support
• Premium Features: To manage subscription status and provide premium features
• Improvement: To improve our app, develop new features, and enhance user experience
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our app:

• Firebase: For user authentication and account management
• OpenAI: For AI-powered plant identification and health diagnosis
• AWS S3: For secure cloud storage of images
• Database Providers: For storing your app data securely

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.2 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 and property
• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
• Protect the safety of users or the public

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, 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.

5. Data Storage and Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• Images are stored securely in encrypted cloud storage (AWS S3)
• Data is transmitted using secure encryption protocols (HTTPS)
• User authentication is handled by Firebase, a secure authentication provider
• Database access is restricted and protected
• We regularly review and update our security practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specifically:

• Account information is retained while your account is active
• Images and journal entries are retained until you delete them or your account
• We may retain certain information after account deletion as required by law or for legitimate business purposes

You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us or deleting your account through the app settings.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can access and review your personal information through the app
• Correction: You can update or correct your account information at any time
• Deletion: You can delete your account and associated data through the app settings
• Camera Access: You can revoke camera permissions through your device settings
• Notifications: You can manage notification preferences through your device settings
• Data Export: You can request a copy of your data by contacting us

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

8. Children's Privacy

Our app is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

9. 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. By using our app, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

12. Consent

By using AI Plant Assistant, you consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our app.