Privacy Policy for HomeTally

OnTheCaseApps ("we," "our," or "us") operates the HomeTally mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

Photos and Images:

• When you use the App's camera feature to photograph your belongings, photos are temporarily sent to our secure cloud processing system (Firebase) for AI analysis
• Photos are NOT permanently stored on our servers - they are processed and immediately discarded
• All photos remain stored locally on your device in the App's private storage

Audio Recordings:

• When you record voice notes describing items, audio is temporarily sent to our cloud processing system (Firebase) for speech-to-text transcription
• Audio recordings are NOT permanently stored on our servers - they are processed and immediately discarded
• Transcribed text is stored locally on your device

Item Information:

• Details about your belongings (names, descriptions, categories, rooms, values, serial numbers, etc.)
• This information is stored locally on your device in a secure database

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Anonymous User ID:

• We use Firebase Anonymous Authentication, which assigns a unique, random identifier to your device
• This ID does not contain any personally identifiable information
• It is used solely to enforce rate limits and track API usage

Usage Metrics:

• Number of API requests made (image analysis, speech-to-text)
• Timestamps of requests
• Token usage for cost management
• Error logs (which do not contain your personal data)

Device Information:

• The Firebase SDK may collect basic device information such as device model, operating system version, and app version
• This information is used for analytics and crash reporting

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

We do NOT collect:

• Your real name or email address (unless you choose to sign in with Google in the future)
• Your precise location or GPS coordinates
• Your contacts or address book
• Information from other apps on your device
• Your browsing history
• Your payment card details (handled securely by Google Play)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

Core Functionality:

• Processing photos with AI to identify and extract item information
• Transcribing voice notes to text
• Organizing and managing your home inventory
• Generating reports and exports

Service Improvement:

• Monitoring API usage and costs
• Detecting and preventing abuse
• Improving AI accuracy and app features
• Debugging errors and crashes

Rate Limiting and Security:

• Enforcing fair usage limits (10 image analyses per hour, 50 per day for free tier)
• Preventing spam and abuse
• Protecting against unauthorized access

3. Data Storage and Security

3.1 Local Storage

Primary Data Storage:

• All your item data, photos, and information are stored locally on your device
• This data is stored in the App's private storage directory, which is protected by Android's security model
• Other apps cannot access your data
• Data is deleted if you uninstall the App

3.2 Cloud Processing (Temporary)

AI Processing:

• Photos and audio are temporarily uploaded to Firebase Cloud Functions for processing
• Processing occurs on Google Cloud Platform servers in the United States (us-central1 region)
• Data is transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections
• Photos and audio are immediately deleted after processing (typically within seconds)
• No copies are retained on our servers

3.3 Usage Tracking

Firestore Storage:

• Anonymous user ID, API usage counts, and timestamps are stored in Firebase Firestore
• This data is used for rate limiting and cost management
• Data is stored in the United States (us-central1 region)

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to provide App functionality:

4.1 Firebase (Google LLC)

Services Used:

• Firebase Authentication (Anonymous)
• Firebase Firestore (usage tracking, optional cloud backup)
• Firebase Cloud Functions (secure API proxy)

Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

4.2 Google Gemini AI

Purpose: Image analysis and item extraction from photos

Data Shared:

• Photos (temporarily, during processing only)
• Text context from voice notes

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

4.3 Google Cloud Speech-to-Text

Purpose: Voice note transcription

Data Shared:

• Audio recordings (temporarily, during processing only)

Privacy Policy: https://cloud.google.com/terms/cloud-privacy-notice

4.4 Google Play Billing

Purpose: In-app subscription purchases

Data Shared:

• Purchase verification tokens (no payment card details are shared with us)

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

All third-party services process data in accordance with their respective privacy policies and applicable data protection laws.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5.2 Service Providers

We share data with third-party service providers (listed in Section 4) only to the extent necessary to provide App functionality. These providers are bound by confidentiality obligations.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).

5.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access Your Data

Local Data:

• All your item data is accessible within the App at any time
• You can view, edit, or delete any item information

6.2 Delete Your Data

Local Data:

• You can delete individual items or all items from the App
• Uninstalling the App will delete all local data

6.3 Export Your Data

• You can export your item inventory as CSV or PDF at any time
• For a complete data export, contact support@onthecaseapps.com

7. Data Retention

• Local Data: Retained on your device until you delete it or uninstall the App
• Temporary Processing Data: Photos and audio: Deleted immediately after processing (within seconds)
• Usage Metrics: Retained indefinitely for cost management and analytics not tied to any PII
• Cloud Logs: System logs retained for 30 days (configurable up to 365 days)

8. Children's Privacy

HomeTally is intended for users aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us at support@onthecaseapps.com.

9. International Users and Data Transfers

Our services are hosted on Google Cloud Platform servers located in the United States (us-central1 region). If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States.

By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and processing in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

9.1 European Users (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your personal data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to our processing of your personal data
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@onthecaseapps.com.

Legal Basis for Processing:

• Performance of a contract (providing the App services)
• Legitimate interests (improving the App, security, fraud prevention)
• Consent (optional features like cloud backup)

9.2 California Users (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have certain rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information collected
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@onthecaseapps.com.

10. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

Technical Measures:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure authentication (Firebase)
• Rate limiting to prevent abuse
• Regular security updates

Organizational Measures:

• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security audits
• Secure development practices
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by:

• Posting the new Privacy Policy in the App
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• For material changes, we may provide additional notice (such as an in-app notification)

Your continued use of the App after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.

13. Additional Information

13.1 Push Notifications

The App may send push notifications for:

• Processing status updates
• Subscription reminders
• App updates and new features

You can disable push notifications in your device settings.

13.2 Advertising

The free tier of the App may display advertisements in the future. We do not currently display ads, and we will update this policy before implementing advertising.