Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Biocosmic Garden ("we", "our", or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we handle your information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

• What information we collect (very minimal!)
• How we use that information
• Your rights and choices
• How we protect your data

We collect almost nothing. The app works entirely offline. We only use your location (if you permit) to detect your climate zone, and we show non-intrusive banner ads (managed by Google AdMob).

Information We Collect

1. Location Data (Optional)

What: Approximate location (GPS coordinates)

Why: To automatically detect your climate zone and provide personalized frost dates

When: Only when you enable location permission and use the climate zone auto-detection feature

How:

• Requested once when you tap "Auto-detect" in Settings
• Converted immediately to a climate zone (e.g., "Zone 7a")
• NOT stored - we only save the detected zone number
• NOT transmitted - processed entirely on your device

Your Control:

• You can deny location permission
• You can manually select your climate zone instead
• You can revoke permission at any time in Android settings

2. Device Information (Automatic)

What: Basic device information collected by Google AdMob for ad serving

Examples:

• Device type (phone/tablet)
• Operating system version (Android 7.0+)
• Language setting
• Approximate location (for relevant ads)
• Ad interaction data (clicks, impressions)

Why: Required for displaying ads and monetizing the free app

Who collects it: Google AdMob (third-party service)

How it's used: To show relevant ads and measure ad performance

More info: See Google AdMob Privacy Policy

3. App Usage Data (Anonymous)

What we DON'T collect:

• ❌ Your name, email, or phone number
• ❌ Your exact location (only climate zone)
• ❌ Your planting data (stays on your device)
• ❌ Your photos or files
• ❌ Your contacts
• ❌ Your browsing history

What we might collect in future (optional):

• Anonymous crash reports (if implemented)
• Anonymous app usage statistics (if implemented)
• Always opt-in, never automatic

How We Use Information

Climate Zone Detection

• Purpose: Provide personalized sowing and frost date recommendations
• Scope: One-time location lookup → Climate zone number
• Storage: Only the zone number is saved (e.g., "7a")
• Duration: Until you change it manually

Advertising (AdMob)

• Purpose: Monetize the free app through non-intrusive banner ads
• Service: Google AdMob
• Data: Device info and ad interaction data (managed by Google)
• Your Control: You can opt out of personalized ads in Android settings

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage Only

• All your data stays on your device
• Garden plans, settings, and preferences are stored locally in the app's private storage
• No cloud sync (in this free version)
• No external servers

Security Measures

• Data stored in Android's secure app-specific storage
• Location data is never stored (only the resulting climate zone)
• No user accounts = no password vulnerabilities
• Offline-first = no network transmission of your personal data

Data Retention

• Your local data: Until you uninstall the app
• Location data: NOT stored (immediately converted to zone number)
• AdMob data: Managed by Google - see their retention policy

Third-Party Services

Google AdMob

We use Google AdMob to display banner ads in the app.

What AdMob collects:

• Device identifiers (Advertising ID)
• IP address (for approximate location)
• Ad interaction data

Why AdMob needs this:

• To show relevant ads
• To measure ad performance
• To prevent fraud

Your choices:

• Opt out of personalized ads: Android Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
• Reset your Advertising ID: Android Settings → Google → Ads → Reset advertising ID

AdMob Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543

Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

No Other Third Parties

We do NOT use:

• ❌ Analytics services (no Firebase Analytics, no Google Analytics)
• ❌ Crash reporting (no Crashlytics in this version)
• ❌ Social media integrations
• ❌ Cloud storage services
• ❌ Marketing or tracking pixels

Your Rights (GDPR & CCPA)

Right to Access

You can access all your data directly in the app (Settings screen)

Right to Delete

• Uninstall the app = all local data deleted immediately
• Clear app data: Android Settings → Apps → Biocosmic Garden → Storage → Clear Data

Right to Opt-Out

• Location permission: Deny in Android settings or use manual climate zone selection
• Personalized ads: Opt out in Android Settings → Google → Ads

Right to Data Portability

All your data is stored locally on your device. You can export it by backing up your device.

Right to Object

You have the right to object to data processing. To do so:

1. Deny location permission
2. Opt out of personalized ads
3. Uninstall the app

Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Biocosmic Garden is suitable for all ages, including children.

We do NOT:

• ❌ Knowingly collect personal information from children under 13
• ❌ Require account creation
• ❌ Allow social features or user-generated content
• ❌ Collect precise location (only approximate for climate zone)

Parents: If you believe your child has provided information to us, please contact us at [support email], and we will delete it immediately.

International Users

European Union (GDPR)

We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• ✅ Minimal data collection (data minimization principle)
• ✅ Clear consent for location permission
• ✅ Right to access, delete, and port your data
• ✅ Transparent privacy policy

California (CCPA)

We comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• ✅ You have the right to know what data we collect
• ✅ You have the right to delete your data
• ✅ You have the right to opt out of data sales (we don't sell data!)

Other Regions

We respect privacy laws worldwide and apply the highest standards globally.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do:

• We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• We'll notify you in the app (if changes are significant)
• Continued use of the app = acceptance of new policy

How to stay informed:

• Check this policy periodically
• We'll announce major changes in app update notes

Permissions Explained

Required Permissions

INTERNET

• Why: To display AdMob banner ads
• Note: App works fully offline; ads require internet

Optional Permissions

ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION (Approximate Location)

• Why: To auto-detect your climate zone
• When: Only if you tap "Auto-detect" in Settings
• Can be denied: Yes! You can manually select your zone instead

POST_NOTIFICATIONS (Android 13+)

• Why: For future features (transplanting reminders)
• Not implemented yet: Currently not used
• Can be denied: Yes! No impact on current app functionality

Data We DO NOT Collect

Let's be crystal clear about what we DO NOT do:

❌ No Email or Phone Number - We don't ask for it, we don't collect it ❌ No User Accounts - No login, no passwords, no authentication ❌ No Precise Location - Only approximate location → climate zone conversion ❌ No Contacts Access - We never touch your contacts ❌ No Photo/Camera Access - No photos, no camera ❌ No Microphone Access - We don't listen ❌ No SMS Access - No text messages ❌ No Calendar Access - Ironically, we're a calendar app that doesn't access your calendar! ❌ No Storage Access - We don't read your files ❌ No Tracking Across Apps - We don't know what other apps you use ❌ No Selling Data - We will NEVER sell your data to third parties ❌ No Background Location Tracking - We only check location once if you request it