PRIVACY POLICY — TREE IDENTIFIER
Last updated: July 30, 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Policy explains how the Tree Identifier mobile application (the "App," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, stores, and protects information when you use the App to identify trees, plants, leaves, wood, and bark, and to chat with our AI tree expert.
The App is provided by TTW ("the Developer"). If you have any questions, contact us at shopperbit@gmail.com.
By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
2.1 Photos and Images
To identify a tree, you provide a photo from your camera or photo library. We:
- Transmit the image to Google Vertex AI (Gemini), operated through Firebase AI Logic, to analyze and identify the species. The image is sent solely to perform the identification you requested.
- Store the image locally on your device (in the App's private storage) so you can review it in your identification history. We do not upload your photos to the Developer's own servers, and we do not retain them in any cloud account controlled by the Developer.
2.2 Identification Data (stored on your device)
When you perform an identification, the App records metadata in a local database on your device: species name, scientific name, plant family, category, confidence score, your notes/description, and whether you marked it as a favorite. This data stays on your device and is never transmitted to the Developer.
2.3 AI Expert Conversations ("Ask Tree Expert")
When you chat with the AI tree expert, your messages and the tree context you are viewing are sent to Google Vertex AI (Gemini) to generate a response. The full conversation transcript is saved locally on your device so you can resume it later. Conversations are not uploaded to or stored on Developer-controlled servers.
2.4 Subscription and Purchase Data
The App offers optional subscriptions through Superwall, which processes payments via the Apple App Store and Google Play. When you subscribe:
- Superwall and the applicable app store process your purchase/transaction data (such as subscription status, renewal state, and, if you provide it, your email address) to manage entitlements.
- The Developer receives only subscription status (active/inactive) needed to unlock features — never your raw payment card details or full financial information.
2.5 Device and Technical Data
- Firebase App Check: The App uses Firebase App Check (Google Play Integrity on Android, App Attest / Device Check on iOS) to verify that requests come from a genuine, untampered installation. This generates device-attestation tokens handled by Google Firebase.
- Firebase Remote Config: The App fetches configuration values (such as which AI model to use). This contains no personally identifiable information.
2.6 Location
The App declares a location permission because the Superwall SDK references device location to present region-appropriate subscription offers and for attribution analytics. The App itself does not actively request or continuously track your precise location. Any location access is limited to coarse/approximate, SDK-initiated use for offer selection.
2.7 Data We Do Not Collect
- We do not require accounts, login, or registration. The App has no Firebase Authentication, and we do not collect your name, email, or password through the App.
- We do not use third-party advertising or analytics trackers (no ad SDKs, no analytics SDKs).
- We do not sell your personal information.
3. HOW WE USE INFORMATION
We use the information described above solely to:
- Provide tree, plant, leaf, wood, and bark identification.
- Generate AI expert answers to your questions.
- Maintain your local history and favorites.
- Manage subscription entitlements and restore purchases.
- Secure the App against abuse through device attestation.
- Improve model selection via non-personal Remote Config values.
We do not use your photos or conversations to train public models, and we do not share them with advertisers.
4. LEGAL BASES (FOR USERS IN THE EEA / UK)
If you are in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, we rely on the following legal bases under the GDPR:
- Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)): processing your image and messages to deliver the identification and chat you request.
- Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)): securing the App (App Check) and administering subscriptions.
- Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)): where required, such as for optional location-based offers.
5. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS
- Google Firebase / Vertex AI (Gemini): Image + message analysis, device attestation, config. Receives tree photos, chat messages, device-attestation tokens. Privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Superwall: Subscription management & payments. Receives purchase/subscription status, (optional) email. Privacy policy: https://superwall.com/privacy
- Apple App Store / Google Play: Payment processing. Receives transaction data. Apple: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy / Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy
These providers process data under their own privacy policies and applicable terms.
6. DATA RETENTION AND DELETION
- On-device data (photos, history, conversations) remains on your device until you delete it. You can delete individual identifications or entire history from within the App, which also removes the associated local photo files.
- Uninstalling the App removes all locally stored data.
- We do not hold a separate copy of your photos or conversations on Developer servers, so no server-side deletion request is needed for that content. For any data processed by our subprocessors (e.g., subscription status held by Superwall), you may request deletion by contacting us and/or managing it through the app store.
7. DATA SECURITY
Your photos and history are stored in the App's private, sandboxed storage on your device and are not accessible to other apps. Transmission to Google Vertex AI occurs over encrypted (HTTPS/TLS) connections. We use Firebase App Check to reduce automated abuse. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we strive to use commercially reasonable safeguards.
8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
The App is a general botanical and educational tool and is not directed specifically to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Because the App does not require accounts and stores data only locally on the device, we do not collect personal information from any user on our servers. If you believe a child has provided us with information through a third-party service (e.g., a subscription email), contact us and we will take steps to delete it.
9. YOUR RIGHTS
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information; object to or restrict certain processing; data portability; and withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent).
Because most of your data is stored locally on your device, you can exercise most of these rights directly in the App (delete history/conversations) or by uninstalling. For any residual data processed by our subprocessors, or to make a request, email [privacy@yourdomain.com]. We respond within the timeframes required by law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR).
Residents of California (CCPA/CPRA): we do not sell or share personal information. You may request to know, delete, or correct your information as described above.
10. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
Images and chat messages you submit are processed by Google Vertex AI, which may involve transfers to servers outside your country of residence (including the United States), protected by Google's standard contractual and security measures. Subscription data is handled by Superwall and the applicable app store in accordance with their policies.
11. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes take effect when posted, with the "Last updated" date revised. Material changes will be communicated through the App or our website.
12. CONTACT US
Tree Identifier — developed by TTW Development
Privacy questions: shopperbit@gmail.com
Postal address: n/a
APPENDIX A — APPLE "APP PRIVACY" NUTRITION-LABEL GUIDANCE
The following maps our practices to Apple's App Store privacy questionnaire (submit in App Store Connect → App Privacy):
- Data used to track you: None.
- Data linked to you: Photos or Videos (identification, not for tracking); Coarse Location (optional, subscription SDK, not for tracking); Purchase History (Superwall / App Store); Device ID (Firebase App Check / Superwall for security & attribution); Product Interaction / Usage Data (local history).
- Data not collected: Contact info, health, financial info (beyond purchase), contacts, sensors, precise location, diagnostics beyond the above.
(This appendix is guidance for completing Apple's form; it is not part of the binding policy above.)