Privacy Policy
UrbOVan – Plant Health Tracker
Effective Date: May 13, 2025
Last Updated: May 13, 2026
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy ("Policy") describes how UrbOVan ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use the UrbOVan mobile application ("App"). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.
If you do not agree with this Policy, please discontinue use of the App. This Policy applies to all users of UrbOVan and is governed by applicable data protection and privacy laws.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We collect the following personal information when you register an account or use the App:
- Full Name: Collected during profile setup to personalise your in-app experience.
- Email Address: Used for account creation, login authentication, and communications.
- Phone Number (optional): Voluntarily provided as part of your profile. Not required to use the App and not used for authentication.
- City / Location Details: Voluntarily provided to give region-specific plant care recommendations.
2.2 Device Permissions
To provide core functionality, the App requests the following device permissions:
- Camera Access: Used to photograph your plants for AI-powered health analysis and diagnosis.
- Photo Library: Used to select existing photos for plant analysis and to save generated plant previews.
- Precise Location: Used to determine local weather, season, and sunlight direction to provide accurate plant care recommendations.
- Motion Sensors (Compass): Used to detect the direction your balcony or window faces for sunlight-based recommendations.
- Push Notifications: Used to send watering reminders and plant care alerts. A device notification token is collected by Firebase Cloud Messaging solely for this purpose.
2.3 Automatically Collected Data
When you use the App, the following data may be collected automatically:
- Advertising Identifier (Advertising ID / GAID): Collected by Firebase Analytics for app usage analytics and measurement. This identifier is not used for targeted advertising.
- App Usage and Interaction Data: Firebase Analytics collects information about features used, screens viewed, and session activity to help us improve the App.
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and app version collected for diagnostic and compatibility purposes.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To create, maintain, and manage your user account.
- To enable core features of the App, including plant photo capture and health tracking.
- To use location data for environment-specific plant health recommendations.
- To verify your identity and secure your account.
- To send account-related notifications, updates, and support messages.
- To improve App performance, accuracy of plant analysis, and user experience.
4. Disclosure and Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third parties. We may share your data only under the following limited circumstances:
- Legal Compliance: When required by applicable law, regulation, court order, or governmental authority.
- Protection of Rights: To protect the rights, property, or safety of UrbOVan, its users, or the public.
4.1 Third-Party Services
The App integrates the following third-party services that may collect or process your data under their own privacy policies:
- Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Storage, Cloud Messaging, Analytics): Used for user authentication, cloud data storage, image storage, push notifications, and app analytics. Data is processed by Google LLC. See Google Privacy Policy.
- Google Gemini API: Plant photos and descriptive data you submit for diagnosis or space analysis are sent to Google's Gemini AI API for processing. No personally identifiable information beyond the image content is transmitted. See Google Privacy Policy.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to provide the services described in this Policy, or as required by applicable law. Upon deletion of your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within a reasonable period, unless retention is required for legal or compliance purposes.
6. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right of Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right of Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Revoke camera or location permissions at any time via your device settings.
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in your jurisdiction.
8. Account and Data Deletion
You have the right to request the permanent deletion of your UrbOVan account and all associated personal data at any time. We provide two ways to submit a deletion request:
8.1 In-App Deletion Request
Open the UrbOVan app, navigate to Profile → Delete Account, and follow the on-screen steps. This will generate a pre-filled deletion request email sent directly to our support team.
8.2 Email Request
You may also send a deletion request directly to saidarshan9569@gmail.com with the subject line "Account Deletion Request – UrbOVan". Please include your registered email address and, if available, your account user ID so we can locate your account promptly.
8.3 What Gets Deleted
Upon processing your request, the following data will be permanently deleted:
- Your account credentials and profile information (name, email, phone number, city, etc.)
- All plant records and associated health logs
- All chat history with the Flora AI assistant
- All space analysis records
- All photos and images uploaded to the App
8.4 Processing Time and Retention
We will process all deletion requests within 30 days of receipt and send a confirmation to your registered email address. Certain data may be retained beyond this period only where required by applicable law or for the resolution of disputes and enforcement of our agreements.
9. Children’s Privacy
UrbOVan is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal data, we will promptly delete such information. If you believe a child has submitted personal information, please contact us immediately.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be reflected by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document. Continued use of the App following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal data, please contact us:
Application Name: UrbOVan – Plant Health Tracker
Email Address: saidarshan9569@gmail.com