PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated: August 17, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Sparrow: Bird Sound Identifier ("Sparrow", "the App", "we", "us") collects, uses, and shares information when you use our Android application. By using the App, you agree to the practices described here.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Audio recordings: Short clips you record to identify a bird by its call or song. Sent to our identification service to produce a species match; not stored for any purpose other than completing that request.
Photos: Images you capture or select to identify a bird visually. Used the same way, for photo-based identification.
Location: Only if you grant permission — approximate or precise device location. Powers "Nearby Birds" and improves identification accuracy for region-specific species.
App activity: Screens viewed, features used, identification results, onboarding steps, paywall views. Used for product analytics to understand usage and improve the App.
Device & install identifiers: Advertising ID, install ID, device model, OS version. Used for attribution (which install came from which marketing source) and fraud prevention.
Purchase information: Subscription status, purchase/renewal events. Used to manage your subscription and entitlements through our payments provider.
Saved sightings: Birds you identify and choose to save, plus any notes you add. This is your personal in-app bird log/history.
PERMISSIONS USED ON YOUR DEVICE
Microphone — to record bird sounds for sound-based identification. Only active when you start a recording.
Camera / Photos — to capture or select a photo for visual identification.
Location — optional, used for the Nearby Birds feature and to refine identification results. You can deny this permission and still use the App's core identification features.
Storage — to let you pick photos from your device and to cache app data locally.
You can grant or revoke any of these permissions at any time in Android Settings → Apps → Sparrow → Permissions.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES WE USE
Firebase (Google) — analytics, crash reporting, backend infrastructure. Policy: firebase.google.com/support/privacy
AppsFlyer — install attribution (which marketing channel led to your install). Policy: appsflyer.com/legal/privacy-policy
RevenueCat — subscription and in-app purchase management. Policy: revenuecat.com/privacy
Google Play Billing — processing subscription payments. Policy: policies.google.com/privacy
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
BIRD IDENTIFICATION PROCESSING
Audio clips and photos you submit for identification are sent to our identification service to generate a result and are used solely for that purpose. We do not use your recordings or photos to identify you personally, and we do not share them with advertisers.
DATA RETENTION
Sightings you save are kept on your device (and, if you are signed in, synced to your account) until you delete them or delete your account. Analytics and attribution data are retained by our providers according to their own retention policies, typically for periods used to measure app performance and marketing effectiveness.
YOUR CHOICES
Deny or later revoke microphone, camera, and location permissions in Android system settings.
Opt out of personalized advertising via Settings → Privacy → Ads on your Android device (Reset/Delete advertising ID).
Delete saved sightings within the App.
Request deletion of your data by contacting us using the details below.
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
Sparrow is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
DATA SECURITY
We use industry-standard measures, including encrypted transport (HTTPS/TLS), to protect data in transit. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
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 the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
CONTACT US
Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data? Reach us at: support@applinox.com