Privacy Policy
Effective date: April 5, 2026
Phenoa is operated by Epipolar Studios ("we", "us", "our"). This policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the Phenoa app.
Information We Collect
| Data | Purpose | Linked to You |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Plant health analysis | Yes |
| Coarse location | Region-specific care tips | Yes |
| User ID | Account authentication | Yes |
| Crash data | App stability and bug fixes | No |
| Product interaction | Understanding feature usage | No |
| Purchase history | Subscription management | No |
How We Use Your Data
- Photos are stored on your device and sent to our server so we can analyze your plant's health. To track trends over time, recent previous photos may also be sent alongside your new photo for comparison. Photos may be sent to external services for processing and are not retained by those services after analysis.
- Location is optional. If enabled, your coarse location is sent with your photo to provide region-specific care tips. We do not store your location on our servers.
- Authentication is handled by a third-party service. You can sign in with Apple, Google, or phone number. We store only your user ID to associate your account with your data.
- Notifications are optional. If enabled, Phenoa schedules local notifications to remind you to check in on your plants. Notification permission is managed by iOS and can be revoked at any time in your device settings.
- iCloud sync: If you are signed into iCloud, your plant data (names, health reports, check-in records, and display-size photos) is synced across your devices via Apple's CloudKit. This data is stored in your private iCloud container and is not accessible to us. Apple's privacy policy governs iCloud storage.
- Subscriptions: If you subscribe to Phenoa Premium, your purchase is processed by Apple through StoreKit. We receive a transaction record to verify your subscription status but do not have access to your payment details.
Third-Party Services
Phenoa uses the following third-party services:
- Firebase Authentication: account sign-in (Apple, Google, phone). See Firebase Privacy.
- Firebase Crashlytics: crash reporting to improve app stability. Crash logs are not linked to your identity.
- Firebase Analytics: anonymous usage data to understand which features are used. This data is not linked to your identity.
- Apple CloudKit: syncs your plant data across your devices via your private iCloud container. See Apple Privacy.
- Apple StoreKit: processes subscription purchases. We do not have access to your payment information.
Tracking
Phenoa does not track you. We do not use advertising identifiers (IDFA), we do not serve ads, and we do not share your data with ad networks or data brokers.
Data Storage
Your plant photos and health reports are stored locally on your device. If you are signed into iCloud, they are also synced to your private iCloud container for cross-device access. Photos are sent to our server only during analysis and are not retained afterward. Your account data (user ID) is stored by our authentication provider.
Data Deletion
You can delete your account at any time from the app's settings. Account deletion permanently removes all your data from our servers and your device, including all plant photos, health reports, and check-in records. This action cannot be undone.
Children's Privacy
Phenoa is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes through the app or by updating the effective date above.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at contact@epipolar.ca.