Transparency & Trust

Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 2026. Your privacy and data sovereignty are fundamental to our mission.

1. Information We Collect

We collect only the minimum data required to operate the ButterflyCounts field count platform:

  • Account Credentials: When signing in with Google or Firebase Auth, we store your name and email address to authenticate your session and manage count ownership.
  • Geographical Location Data: GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude, altitude, accuracy) associated with your field counts. Location data is necessary to place observations on maps and calculate regional biodiversity metrics.
  • Count Observations: Species identified, individual counts, timestamps, weather conditions, site names, and optional notes.
  • Diagnostic Telemetry: Anonymized error logs and performance metrics to troubleshoot bugs and improve app reliability.

2. Open Access & Data Sharing Controls

You retain explicit control over how your count data is shared:

  • Open Access Granted (Default Option): Count details (location, date, species logged, observer name) are included in the public open-access dataset for ecological research. Your email address is never shared publicly.
  • Open Access Disabled: Your count data is kept private to your personal account and is omitted from public dashboards, APIs, and open research exports.

3. Data Security & Third Parties

We will never sell your personal data to third parties or advertisers. Data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and stored on secure cloud infrastructure.

4. Your Rights & Account Deletion

You have full control over your personal data:

  • You can edit or delete any submitted count directly within the mobile application.
  • You can export all your personal count data to CSV format at any time.
  • You can request complete account deletion in the app or via Account Deletion Instructions.

5. Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this privacy policy or data rights, please email us at rohitmg.bbm@gmail.com.