Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 8, 2025

Thank you for choosing Planthy (the “App”). Your privacy is important to Starry Apps (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you use the App or any related website that links to this policy (collectively, the “Services”)

By using the Services, you agree to the practices described below. If you do not agree, please refrain from using the Services. If you have questions, contact us at support@starryapps.com.

1) Scope

This Policy applies to the Planthy iOS application, in‑app features, and support channels (email). It does not cover third‑party websites or services not under our control.

2) Information We Collect

We design Planthy to collect and retain as little personal data as possible. The categories below describe the information involved in providing the App.

a) Photos & media you choose to upload
• Images that you submit for plant identification or diagnostics are transmitted only to deliver the requested result. They are not stored on our servers after processing finishes.
• Optional thumbnails or archives you create are stored on your device.

b) App activity & device information
• Basic device and app details (e.g., device model, iOS version, app version, language, time zone) and limited technical logs (e.g., IP address, request timestamps, success/failure codes) necessary to operate and secure the service.
• Aggregated, anonymous usage metrics (e.g., feature counts, error rates) associated with an anonymous identifier.

c) Location signals
• We do not collect precise GPS location. We may derive an approximate location from the device or network (e.g., IP address) for service operations (like regional functionality and security).

d) Subscriptions & purchases
• Transaction and entitlement status (e.g., active/canceled, renewal date) provided by Apple and/or our subscription management provider to determine access to premium features. We do not receive your full payment card details.

e) Advertising & campaign measurement identifiers (optional)
• With your permission via Apple’s AppTrackingTransparency (ATT), we may access the device advertising identifier (IDFA) and send limited campaign measurement signals to help us evaluate and optimize external advertising for the App.
• If you do not grant ATT permission, we do not access the IDFA and suppress tracking. We do not show third‑party in‑app ads.

3) How We Use Information

We use information to:

• Provide core features, such as photo analysis, plant management, reminders, and in‑app assistance.
• Operate, maintain, and improve the App, including diagnostics, troubleshooting, and quality assurance.
• Secure the service, authenticate requests, enforce fair use, and prevent abuse or fraud.
• Process subscriptions and manage entitlements.
• Communicate with you about service changes and to respond to support requests.
• Measure and optimize external advertising campaigns for the App, including via Apple’s SKAdNetwork and limited conversion signals; where required, this occurs only with your consent.
• Comply with law and enforce our terms.

Where required, we rely on appropriate legal bases (e.g., performance of a contract, legitimate interests, consent, and/or compliance with a legal obligation).

4) Photos, Camera & Light Readings

• Photos you submit are used only to analyze and return results. They may be held temporarily during processing and are deleted from our servers after the request completes.
• Camera access is used only when you capture an image or measure ambient light. • We do not store camera feeds.

5) AI Chat & Advice

• Messages you send to the in‑app chat are transmitted to our service to generate a reply and are not stored on our servers after processing.
• For reply generation, we forward your prompt and a short portion of recent conversation context to a trusted AI provider (Google, OpenAI or Anthropic) to produce a single, non‑streaming response. Providers process the data under their terms.
• Your conversation history is stored locally on your device. You may delete local history at any time from within the App.

6) Reminders & Notifications

If you enable notifications, the App schedules local reminders on your device based on your preferences. You can adjust or disable notifications in iOS Settings or within the App.

7) Data Storage & iCloud Sync

Planthy stores your content on your device. If you enable iCloud, your data may sync across your Apple devices via Apple’s iCloud services. We do not have access to your iCloud‑synced content. Apple’s processing of iCloud data is governed by Apple’s terms and policies.

8) Accounts & Identifiers

Planthy uses anonymous accounts. We associate usage with an anonymous identifier managed through our subscription provider to operate premium access and monitor service health. We do not have information that directly identifies you unless you choose to email us for support.

9) Analytics, Performance & Safety

We collect limited technical telemetry and anonymous usage metrics (e.g., feature counts, error codes, request duration) tied to anonymous identifiers. We use this data to maintain reliability, monitor system health, and detect failures or abuse. We do NOT use analytics for advertising or profiling.

Meta/Facebook SDK (campaign measurement only):
We integrate Meta’s SDK to help us measure and optimize our external advertising for the App. We do not show third‑party in‑app ads. The integration is configured to be privacy‑preserving: automatic purchase logging is disabled; ATT permission is respected; and, when applicable, only limited “signal‑only” events (such as trial start or subscription activation) are sent for SKAdNetwork/conversion reporting. Where applicable, certain subscription conversion signals may be relayed through our subscription provider to Meta solely for campaign measurement. If you do not grant ATT permission, we do not access the IDFA.

10) When We Share Information

We share information only as needed to operate the App:

• Service providers processing data on our behalf (e.g., cloud hosting, content processing, subscription entitlement, analytics/crash reporting, email support tools).
• Compliance & safety (if disclosure is necessary to comply with law, protect rights, or prevent harm).
• Business transfers (e.g., merger, acquisition, or asset sale) with appropriate safeguards.

We do NOT sell your personal information and do NOT share it for cross‑context behavioral advertising.

11) Data Retention

• Images and chat messages sent for processing are retained only for the time needed to fulfill the request and are deleted from our servers once processing completes.
• Your content and conversation history reside on your device (and in iCloud if enabled) until you delete them.
• We retain anonymous identifiers and aggregated usage metrics for as long as necessary to operate and secure the service, resolve issues, and meet our legal obligations.
• For service reliability and abuse prevention, we may log minimal request metadata such as provider used, request duration, token counts, and short descriptive summaries (e.g., issue name/plant name/validation notes). We do not retain raw images server‑side after processing.

12) Security

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. However, no system is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

13) International Transfers

If information is processed outside your region, we use appropriate safeguards as required by applicable law (e.g., contractual protections).

14) Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, object to, or restrict processing, and to receive a portable copy of certain data.

You can also:

• Manage permissions (camera, photos, notifications) in iOS Settings.
• Manage subscriptions in the App Store.
• Delete local content (e.g., saved scans, chats) in the App. • Control tracking permissions in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking. If you deny tracking, we will not access the IDFA for advertising measurement.

To exercise rights, contact support@starryapps.com. We may request information to verify your identity. If your data is only stored locally on your device or in iCloud, we may ask you to perform certain actions on‑device because we do not control that data.

15) Children’s Privacy

The App is not directed to children under the age required by applicable law (e.g., 13 or 16 in certain regions), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from such children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

16) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice (e.g., in‑app notice or by updating the “Effective date” above). Your continued use of the App after changes take effect means you accept the updated Policy.

17) Contact Us

If you have questions, contact us via e-mail at support@starryapps.com.

Region‑Specific Disclosures

California (CPRA)
California residents may have the rights described in Section 14. We do not “sell” personal information or “share” it for cross‑context behavioral advertising as defined by the CPRA. Categories of personal information we collect are described in Sections 2–3; purposes in Section 3; and disclosures in Section 10. You may designate an authorized agent to submit requests on your behalf by emailing support@starryapps.com.

EEA/UK
For users in the EEA/UK, Starry Apps is the controller of your personal data for the App. Our legal bases include performance of a contract (to provide the App), legitimate interests (to secure and improve the App; to prevent abuse), consent (where required), and compliance with legal obligations. You have the rights detailed in Section 14 and may lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

Permissions Summary (iOS)

• Camera & Photos: Capture and submit images you choose to analyze; optional saving of results on your device. • Notifications: Local reminders you configure on your device. • Network: Connect to our servers and trusted processing providers. • iCloud (optional): If enabled, Apple may sync your content across devices; we do not have access to your iCloud data. • Tracking (optional): If you grant permission, we may use the device advertising identifier (IDFA) to measure and optimize external campaigns. You can change this any time in iOS Settings.