Privacy Policy — Steps to Grow
This Privacy Policy explains how Steps to Grow (the "App"), operated by ANA NAKOPIIA ("we", "us", "our"), collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you use the App — a plant growth tracker and AI plant scanner. By using the App you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
- Personal information you provide: name, email address, optional profile info you enter into the app or support form.
- Images & media: photos of plants and related images you upload for the AI scanner. Images may include metadata (e.g., timestamps, approximate device model) unless you strip them before upload.
- Usage & analytics: anonymized usage data such as feature usage, crash reports, performance metrics and diagnostic logs.
- Device & technical data: device model, OS version, app version, locale and language settings.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To provide and maintain the App features, including the AI plant scanner and plant growth tracking.
- To improve our AI models: uploaded images and aggregated, de-identified usage data help us train and refine plant recognition and growth suggestions. We do not sell your personal images to third parties.
- To respond to support requests and communicate about updates, security, or policy changes.
- To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, misuse, or fraud.
3. Sharing & Disclosure
- We may share aggregated, non-identifying statistics publicly or with partners for research and product improvement.
- We use trusted third-party service providers (e.g., analytics, cloud storage, crash reporting). These providers only receive the minimum data required to perform their services and are contractually restricted from using data for other purposes.
- We will disclose information if required by law or to protect rights, safety, or property.
4. AI Scanner — Images & Model Use
The AI scanner analyzes images you provide to identify plant species and offer growth suggestions. Your photos may be stored and processed on secure servers to provide immediate results and to improve recognition accuracy. We aim to retain images only as long as reasonably necessary to provide features and improve our models; however, some images may be retained longer in anonymized form for research and model training.
5. Analytics & Third-Party Services
We may use third-party analytics (e.g., Firebase, Adjust, or similar) to understand usage patterns. These services collect device and usage data and are governed by their own privacy policies.
6. Data Retention & Deletion
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to provide the App and as required to comply with legal obligations. If you want your account data or images deleted, please contact us at trandathi40703@gmail.com — include your account email and a brief request. We'll respond with next steps and a confirmation when deletion is complete.
7. Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical precautions to protect data. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure. Please avoid sharing extremely sensitive personal information in images or messages.
8. Children's Privacy
The App is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you learn we have collected personal data from a child under 13 without parental consent, please contact us and we will delete that information.
9. Your Rights
- Access: You may request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Correction: You may ask us to correct inaccurate data.
- Deletion: You may request deletion of your account data and uploaded images.
- Opt-out: You may opt-out of marketing communications and certain analytics where applicable.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes to our practices. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date above and, if the changes are significant, provide a prominent notice in the App.
11. Contact
If you have questions about this policy or want to exercise your rights, contact us: