AvianScan Privacy Policy

Photographs and Images

When you take a photo with your device's camera or select an existing image from your gallery to identify a bird, that image is securely transmitted via encrypted HTTPS to the Google Gemini API (Google Cloud Artificial Intelligence services) for computer vision processing and species classification.

Device Location (GPS) and Image EXIF Metadata

If the user voluntarily enables the location checkbox or metadata option on the home screen, the Application may obtain the current device location (coarse or fine) or read the EXIF metadata embedded in the selected photograph (specifically the capture date and GPS geographic coordinates).

This geographic data is used exclusively to improve the biological accuracy of the identification based on geographic distribution range, elevation (via technical elevation queries to the Open-Meteo API and GBIF occurrence maps), and seasonality, as well as to log the sighting in your field journal.

Sighting History and Thumbnails

To provide the "Recent Queries" section as a field journal and synchronize identified species across sessions or devices, the Application stores the list of identified species, observation dates, coordinates (if enabled), and compressed image thumbnails in Google Cloud Firestore, associated with your account or device identifier.

Data Export (CSV, PDF, and Species Cards)

When you use the export features to save sightings as CSV files (compatible with citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist or eBird), PDF documents, or shareable summary cards, these files are generated locally on your device and are only shared or sent through the applications or services you explicitly choose via Android's native share menu.

Google Sign-In (Firebase Authentication)

Optionally, you can sign in with your Google account to synchronize your sighting history, daily quotas, and PRO subscription status across multiple devices. When you sign in, Firebase Authentication collects your email address, basic profile identifier, and a unique user identifier (UID).

Usage Metering and Reliability

For users who do not sign in, or to manage free daily identification quotas, the Application uses pseudonymous device or app-instance identifiers. We also log aggregated performance diagnostics (such as crash reports and network latency) strictly to maintain system stability and enforce quota limits.

No Sale of Data to Third Parties

Your email address, UID, location data, and observation records are never sold, rented, or shared with data brokers or external marketing or advertising companies.

Secure Payment Processing

All purchases, recurring subscriptions, and donations are processed exclusively through Google Play Billing. The Application never collects, processes, or stores your credit card numbers, bank credentials, or personal payment details.

Subscription Status Verification

To activate the query limits associated with the PRO plan, the Application validates your subscription status (via purchase tokens generated by Google Play) through Google Play Billing and Firebase.

Management and Cancellation

You can review, update, or cancel your PRO subscription at any time directly from the Subscriptions section in your Google Play Store account settings.

First-Party Promotional Banners

The Application may display non-intrusive promotional banners retrieved from Firebase to inform users about AvianScan PRO features or other applications developed by NictotarusDev. These banners do not use third-party ad networks, behavioral tracking, or advertising identifiers (AAID).

How to delete your account and data

Option 1: Immediate deletion from within the Application

Option 2: Deletion request via email (Web / Without the app installed)

If you have already uninstalled the application, you can request account and data deletion by sending an email with the following details:

• Email: support@nictotarus.dev
• Subject: AvianScan Account Deletion Request
• Message Body: Indicate the Google email address you used to sign in to AvianScan (or your device identifier).
• Resolution Timeframe: Your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted within a maximum of 7 calendar days from receipt of the request.

What data is deleted and what is retained

Permanently deleted data:

• Your Firebase Authentication record (user ID, email address, and profile identifiers).
• Your synchronized bird sighting history (including associated coordinates) and thumbnails stored in Cloud Firestore.
• Your daily usage metering logs.

Retained data:

• Financial and transaction records: Purchases and subscriptions are processed by Google Play. Anonymized transaction records required for tax, legal, and accounting compliance are retained for the period required by applicable law.