Privacy Policy for Identify Mushroom

Last Updated: June 3, 2025

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Efe Budak ("we," "our," or "us"), the developer of the Identify Mushroom iOS application (the "App"), collects, uses, and processes information when you use our App. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data transparently. By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data under this Privacy Policy is:

Efe Budak
Email: efebudakapps@gmail.com

3. Information We Collect

We believe in collecting only the information necessary to provide and improve our service. The types of information we collect are:

3.1. Information Collected Automatically (Analytics)

We use **Firebase Analytics** to understand how users interact with our App and to improve its functionality and user experience. Firebase Analytics collects certain data automatically, which may include:

• Device model
• Operating system version
• App version
• Country/Region (derived from IP address)
• Unique device identifiers
• Crash logs and performance data
• Usage data (e.g., features accessed, session duration, number of times the app is opened)

Please note that this analytical data is generally aggregated and anonymized, and we do **not** collect or process any precise geographical location data (e.g., GPS coordinates) from your device via Firebase or any other means.

3.2. User-Uploaded Content (Photos)

When you use the App to identify a mushroom, you will upload a photo. This photo is processed by **Firebase Gemini** solely for the purpose of identifying the mushroom in the image. We want to be clear:

• The uploaded photos are **not saved or stored** in any part of our system, or by Firebase Gemini, after the identification process is complete.
• No metadata (e.g., EXIF data like camera type, date, or embedded location) from your photos is extracted, processed, or saved by us.

Essentially, the photo is used for real-time processing and then discarded.

3.3. No Other Personal Data Collection

Other than the analytical data and the temporary processing of uploaded photos as described above, we do not collect or save any other personal data from you, such as your name, email address, or payment information (subscription details are handled by Apple and Adapty as outlined below).

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• **To Provide the Service:** The uploaded photo is used solely to identify the mushroom in the photo and return relevant information.
• **To Improve the App:** The analytics data is used to understand how users interact with the App, identify areas for improvement, monitor performance, and ensure the App's stability and reliability. This helps us to deliver a better user experience.
• **To Manage Subscriptions:** While we don't directly process your payment details, data related to your subscription status (managed by Adapty and Apple) helps us provide access to premium features.

5. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), our legal bases for processing your information are:

• **Legitimate Interest:** For the analytical data collected via Firebase Analytics, our legal basis is our legitimate interest in improving the product and providing a better experience to our users. We conduct this processing in a way that minimizes impact on your privacy.
• **Contractual Necessity:** For processing user-uploaded photos for identification, our legal basis is contractual necessity, as this processing is essential for providing the core service you request when using the App.

6. Sharing Your Information

We share your information only in limited circumstances:

• **Service Providers:** We use third-party service providers to help us operate and improve our App.
  • **Firebase (Google LLC):** For analytics (Firebase Analytics) and mushroom identification (Firebase Gemini). Google's privacy policy applies to their services.
  • **Adapty:** We use Adapty to manage our in-app subscriptions and paywall functionality. Adapty's own privacy policy will govern their processing of any data related to your subscription.
• **Legal Requirements:** We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).
• **Protection of Rights:** We may disclose your information to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others, including in cases of fraud investigation.
• **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 before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

7. Data Retention

• **User-Uploaded Photos:** As stated, uploaded photos are processed in real-time and are **not saved or stored** after the identification process.
• **Analytics Data:** Data collected via Firebase Analytics is retained for a period consistent with Firebase's standard retention policies, which allows for analysis of trends over time (e.g., user-level data may be retained for up to 14 months).

8. Your Data Protection Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA, you have certain data protection rights under the GDPR. You have the right to:

• **Access:** Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• **Rectification:** Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• **Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"):** Request the deletion of your personal data.
• **Restriction of Processing:** Request that we limit the way we use your data.
• **Object to Processing:** Object to our processing of your personal data under certain conditions.
• **Data Portability:** Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• **Withdraw Consent:** Where we rely on your consent, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at efebudakapps@gmail.com. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, particularly in the Member State of your habitual residence, place of work, or where an alleged infringement of the GDPR occurred.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

10. International Data Transfers

As we use service providers like Firebase (Google LLC) and Adapty, which are based in the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries outside of your country of residence, including the United States. These countries may have data protection laws different from those in your country. We ensure that such transfers comply with GDPR by relying on appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) provided by our service providers, to protect your data.

11. Children's Privacy

Our App is intended for users who are at least 4 years old. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 16 without verifiable parental consent where required by law. Given our minimal data collection practices (primarily anonymous analytics and non-stored photo processing), we adhere to general GDPR principles for all users, including children.

If you are a parent or guardian and you believe that your child has provided us with personal data without your consent, please contact us at efebudakapps@gmail.com, and we will take steps to remove that information from our systems.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our 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 at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: efebudakapps@gmail.com