PlantPal ("we", "us", "our") is a garden companion app that helps users identify plants, learn about nutrition and growing guidance, and manage personal gardens. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights. By using PlantPal, you agree to the practices described here.
1. User account data
When you create an account, we collect your email address and any name you provide. This identifies your account, saves your gardens and preferences, and lets us provide personalized guidance. Your account email is used for authentication, account recovery, and service notifications.
2. Sensitive user data
PlantPal does not knowingly collect special-category or sensitive personal data (such as health diagnoses, racial or ethnic origin, or political opinions). Gardening preferences you choose to share (such as your USDA zone or growing interests) are treated as ordinary preference data, not sensitive data.
3. Device data
We automatically collect limited technical information such as browser type, device type, and basic usage data needed to operate and secure the service. We do not access your contacts, location, camera, or microphone beyond what you explicitly grant for features like photo identification.
4. Uploaded files
When you use plant identification or the AI chat, you may upload photos or videos. These files are stored to provide analysis and may be associated with your account. Uploaded media is used to generate plant identification and care recommendations. Avoid uploading images that include other identifiable people without their consent.
5. Age information
PlantPal does not collect your date of birth or province/territory as part of sign-in. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone we know to be a minor. If you believe a minor has provided personal data, please contact us so we can remove it.
6. Payments (if used)
If you subscribe to a paid plan or make a purchase, payment processing is handled by our payment provider. We do not store full card details on our servers; the provider tokenizes and processes payment information according to its own standards. We retain records of your subscription status and transaction identifiers for account and billing purposes.
7. Analytics
We use analytics to understand how the app is used and to improve features. Analytics may include anonymized or pseudonymized event data such as which screens are viewed and which features are used. We do not use analytics to identify you personally beyond what is necessary for operating your account.
8. Cookies and local storage
We use local storage in your browser to remember your preferences and session information so the app functions correctly. We do not use cookies for cross-site advertising tracking. You can clear local storage at any time through your browser settings, which will sign you out and reset in-app preferences.
9. Ads, sponsored content, affiliate links & promotions
This app may display ads, sponsored content, affiliate links, or promotional offers. If ads are enabled, advertising partners may process limited device, usage, or interaction data according to their own policies.
Where affiliate links are present, we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Sponsored or promotional content is clearly distinguishable from editorial recommendations where applicable. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party advertisers or affiliate partners.
10. Data sharing
We do not sell your personal data. We share data only with service providers that help us operate the app (such as hosting, authentication, and analytics), and only as necessary to provide the service. We may disclose information where required by law or to protect our rights. Aggregated or anonymized data may be used for analytics and improvement.
11. Data retention
We retain your account data and uploaded content for as long as your account is active. You may request deletion of your account and associated data. Some records may be retained for legitimate business, legal, or security purposes even after account closure, in anonymized form where possible.
12. Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including encrypted transmission and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, but we work to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.
13. Your rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal data, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact us through the app. You may also withdraw consent for optional processing where applicable, though some features may become unavailable.
14. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "last updated" date above. Continued use of PlantPal after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.