Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 10, 2025

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: Username, email address, profile picture
• Content: Photos you upload, comments, and car spotting data
• Profile Data: Bio, location preferences, and social connections

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

• Usage Data: How you interact with the app, features used, time spent
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, app version
• Location Data: GPS coordinates when you spot cars (with your permission)
• Camera Data: Photos you take within the app for car identification

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Core App Functions

• Provide car identification using AI technology
• Enable social features like following other users and sharing content
• Maintain your profile and account settings
• Process and display your car spotting activities

2.2 App Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve app performance
• Develop new features based on user behavior
• Fix bugs and technical issues
• Train our AI models for better car recognition

2.3 Communication

• Send important app updates and notifications
• Respond to your support requests
• Notify you about new features or changes

3. Information Sharing

3.1 Public Information

The following information is public by default:

• Your username and profile picture
• Car photos you share publicly
• Comments on public posts
• Your follower/following connections

3.2 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

3.3 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted service providers who help us operate the app:

• Cloud Storage: Firebase for data storage and authentication
• AI Services: OpenAI for car recognition features
• Analytics: Anonymous usage analytics to improve the app
• Payment Processing: For premium subscriptions (RevenueCat/App Store)

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication systems
• Regular security audits and updates
• Limited access to personal data by our team

5. Your Privacy Rights

5.1 Access and Control

• View Your Data: Access your profile and posted content anytime
• Update Information: Edit your profile and account settings
• Delete Content: Remove photos, comments, and posts
• Account Deletion: Permanently delete your account and data

5.2 Location Privacy

• Location sharing is optional and can be disabled anytime
• You can choose to blur or hide exact locations
• Location data is used only for car spotting features

5.3 Photo Privacy

• We automatically blur license plates in photos for privacy
• You control which photos are public or private
• Original photos are stored securely and not shared without permission

6. Children's Privacy

Spotted is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will delete such information immediately.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy rights.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. You can request deletion of your account and data at any time through the app settings.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal tracking technologies:

• Essential cookies for app functionality
• Analytics to understand app usage (anonymized)
• No third-party advertising cookies

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy in the app and updating the "Last updated" date.

11. Third-Party Services

Our app integrates with third-party services:

• Google Sign-In: For account creation and login
• Apple Sign-In: For iOS users
• Social Media: For sharing content (optional)

These services have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.