Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how BirdMate collects, uses, and protects information about you when you use our website, mobile app, and AI birding companion services (“the Service”).

1. What We Collect

• Account info: email address, name (if provided), and password hash.
• Quiz answers: responses you provide during the onboarding quiz, used to personalize your plan.
• Bird sightings: photos, audio, notes, and location metadata you choose to submit.
• Usage data: pages visited, features used, and anonymized analytics events.
• Device info: browser type, OS, IP address (for security and abuse prevention).

2. How We Use Your Data

• To operate the Service and personalize your experience.
• To improve our AI models (always on anonymized aggregates).
• To process payments and manage your subscription.
• To communicate updates, security alerts, and support replies.
• To detect, prevent, and respond to fraud or abuse.

3. What We Never Do

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not share your email address with third-party marketers. Your sightings and photos stay private unless you explicitly choose to share them.

4. Service Providers

We use trusted vendors (e.g., hosting, payment processing, email delivery) who process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality and security obligations.

5. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data. To exercise these rights, email privacy@birdmate.app. We respond within 30 days.

6. Data Retention

We keep account data while your account is active and for a limited period after deletion to meet legal and tax obligations. Anonymized analytics may be retained indefinitely for product improvement.

7. Children

The Service is not directed to children under 13. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

8. International Transfers

BirdMate is operated globally. By using the Service, you understand that your information may be processed in countries other than your own, with appropriate safeguards in place.

9. Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy. Material changes will be announced through the Service or by email.

10. Contact

Questions or concerns? Reach our privacy team at privacy@birdmate.app.