Privacy Policy

Introduction

Bug Identifier ("we," "our," or "the App") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

Information We Collect

Images and Photos

• Bug Photos: When you use the camera feature or select images from your photo library to identify bug species, these images are temporarily processed.
• Storage: Photos are stored locally on your device using AsyncStorage. We do not upload your photos to our servers except as described below.

Scan Data

We store locally on your device:

• Bug species identifications
• Scientific names
• Bug properties (habitat, characteristics, behavior, diet)
• Timestamps of scans
• Chat conversation history related to each scan

Device Permissions

The App requires the following permissions:

• Camera Permission: To capture photos of bugs for identification
• Photo Library Permission: To select existing photos from your device for analysis
• Photo Library Add Permission: Optionally, to save scanned images back to your photo library (if you choose to do so)

How We Use Your Information

AI Analysis Service

• OpenAI API: When you request a bug identification, we send the image you captured or selected to OpenAI's API (specifically the GPT-4o-mini vision model) for analysis.
• Purpose: This is necessary to provide the bug identification functionality.
• Data Retention: OpenAI does not store your images after processing. According to OpenAI's privacy policy, they do not use images sent via the API for training their models or for any other purpose beyond processing your request.

Local Storage

All scan history, mushroom identifications, and chat conversations are stored locally on your device using React Native's AsyncStorage. This data never leaves your device and is not transmitted to any third-party services except for the temporary API requests to OpenAI.

Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information or images with third parties except:

• OpenAI: Images are sent to OpenAI's API for bug identification analysis only. This is necessary for the core functionality of the App.

Your Data Rights

Access and Control

• View Your Data: All your scans and identifications are accessible within the App's history and "My Bugs" sections.
• Delete Your Data: You can delete individual scans or your entire scan history at any time using the delete functions within the App.
• Local Storage: Since all data is stored locally on your device, uninstalling the App will remove all stored data.

Data Portability

Your scan data is stored locally in JSON format on your device. You can access this data through device backup systems if configured.

Security

We implement appropriate technical measures to protect your data:

• All data is stored locally on your device using secure storage mechanisms
• Images sent to OpenAI's API are transmitted over HTTPS
• No data is stored on our servers (we do not operate servers for this App)

Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for users under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Third-Party Services

OpenAI

• We use OpenAI's API service for bug identification.
• Your images are sent to OpenAI for processing but are not stored by OpenAI.
• Please review OpenAI's Privacy Policy for more information about their data practices.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

Consent

By using the App, you consent to:

• The collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy
• The temporary transmission of images to OpenAI's API for bug identification analysis
• The local storage of your scan data and identification history on your device

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the App.