Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2025

BirdDex ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information when you use the BirdDex mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service").

By using BirdDex, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Username

Photos and Media

When you use BirdDex to identify birds, we collect:

• Photos you upload or take within the app
• Location data associated with your photos (if you grant location permissions)

Location Data

With your permission, we collect location data to record where bird sightings occurred. You can disable location permissions at any time through your device settings.

Device Information

We automatically collect certain device information, including:

• Device type and model
• Operating system version
• App version
• Crash reports and performance data

Usage Data

We collect analytics data about how you use the app to improve our Service, including features used and general usage patterns.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain the BirdDex service
• Identify birds in your photos using AI technology
• Track your bird sightings and build your personal collection
• Improve and optimize the app experience
• Send service-related communications (e.g., password resets)
• Send promotional communications (you can opt out at any time)
• Diagnose technical issues and fix bugs

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate BirdDex:

• Firebase (Google) - Authentication, data storage, and file storage. Firebase Privacy Policy
• OpenAI - AI-powered bird identification. Your photos are sent to OpenAI's API for analysis. OpenAI Privacy Policy
• PostHog - Analytics to understand app usage. PostHog Privacy Policy
• Sentry - Crash reporting and error tracking. Sentry Privacy Policy

Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We only share your data with:

• Third-party service providers listed above, as necessary to operate the Service
• Law enforcement or government agencies if required by law

Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service. If you delete your data or account, we will remove your information from our systems, except where retention is required by law.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Delete your data - You can delete your bird photos and sighting data at any time using the in-app deletion feature
• Delete your account - You can delete your account and all associated data directly within the app under Profile > Delete Account
• Location permissions - You can enable or disable location access through your device settings
• Photo permissions - You can enable or disable photo library access through your device settings
• Marketing communications - You can opt out of promotional emails at any time

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Children's Privacy

BirdDex is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information.

Advertising

BirdDex may display advertisements in the future. If we introduce advertising, we will update this Privacy Policy to reflect any additional data collection or sharing practices.

Paid Features

BirdDex offers optional paid subscriptions ("BirdDex Pro") that provide additional features such as unlimited AI bird identifications. Subscriptions are processed through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Stripe (for web purchases) via RevenueCat, our subscription management provider. We do not store your payment card information. For details on subscription terms, pricing, and cancellation, please refer to the respective app store or your account settings.

Changes to This 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.