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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 10, 2026

Introduction

Welcome to Sniffles & Snacks ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (the "App").

By using Sniffles & Snacks, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you create an account or use our App, we may collect:

• Account Information: Email address, name, and password (if you sign up with email)
• Authentication Data: When you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive your email address, name, and profile photo from these services
• Pet Profile Information: Names, types, breeds, ages, weights, and dietary restrictions of your pets
• User-Generated Content: Food scan history, ingredient photos, safety ratings, pet health records, medical documents, and notes you create within the App

Information Automatically Collected

• Usage Data: Information about how you use the App, including scans performed, features accessed, and time spent in the App
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, unique device identifiers
• Camera & Microphone Data: When you scan barcodes, capture ingredient photos, record pet videos for emotion analysis, or use voice chat with Dr. Sniffles (media is processed for analysis and not stored permanently unless you explicitly save it)
• Location Data: When you use location-based features, we may collect your approximate location to help find nearby pet services. Location data is not sold or shared for advertising

Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do NOT use advertising tracking or analytics services
• We do NOT collect browsing history outside the App
• We do NOT sell your personal information to third parties
• We do NOT store your credit card or payment information

How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• App Functionality: To provide core features including barcode scanning, ingredient analysis, pet safety recommendations, Dr. Sniffles AI conversations, and pet emotion analysis
• Account Management: To create and maintain your account, authenticate your identity, and manage your subscription
• AI Analysis: To analyze food ingredients, assess pet emotions from videos, generate health scores, and power Dr. Sniffles conversations using AI technology (Google Gemini API)
• Data Synchronization: To sync your data across devices when you're logged in
• Customer Support: To respond to your questions, requests, and provide technical support
• App Improvement: To understand how users interact with our App and improve features
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes

Device Permissions

The App may request the following device permissions. You can manage these at any time through your device settings:

• Camera: Required for scanning pet food barcodes and ingredient labels
• Microphone: Used for recording pet videos (emotion analysis) and voice conversations with Dr. Sniffles
• Photo Library: Used to upload ingredient photos for analysis and save scan results to your device
• Location (When In Use & Background): Used only for location-based features when those features are enabled and you grant permission
• Speech Recognition: Used to convert your speech to text during Dr. Sniffles voice conversations

Data Storage and Security

Where We Store Your Data

Your data is securely stored using:

• Firebase Authentication: For secure user authentication and account management
• Firebase Firestore: For storing user profiles, pet information, scan history, and health records
• Local Device Storage: For temporary caching and offline functionality

All data transmission is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols.

Data Security Measures

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

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure authentication methods (OAuth 2.0)
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and authentication requirements

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

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

Firebase (Google LLC)

• Purpose: User authentication, data storage, and app backend
• Data Shared: Email address, name, user ID, app usage data
• Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

Google Gemini AI API (Google LLC)

• Purpose: Ingredient analysis, pet safety recommendations, Dr. Sniffles AI conversations, pet emotion detection, and health score generation
• Data Shared by Feature:
  • Food Safety Scanner: Ingredient photos, extracted ingredient lists, and your pet's species, breed, allergies, and medical conditions
  • Nutrition Label Scanner: Nutrition label photos
  • Dr. Sniffles AI Chat: Conversation text, your pet's name, species, breed, age, weight, allergies, medical conditions, emotion data, and any photos you attach
  • Emotion Detection: Pet photos and short video clips
  • Binary Safety Analysis: Ingredient lists, your pet's species, allergies, and medical conditions, plus the product brand and name
• What Is NOT Shared with the AI: Your email address, account name, user ID, password, payment information, or device identifiers are never sent to Google Gemini AI
• Data Processing: Data is sent directly to Google's Gemini API servers for real-time analysis and is subject to Google's AI terms
• Privacy Policy: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/terms

AI Data Sharing and Your Consent

The App uses Google Gemini AI, a third-party artificial intelligence service operated by Google LLC, to provide core AI-powered features. Before any data is sent to Google Gemini AI, the App will ask for your explicit consent through an in-app dialog.

What happens when you consent

When you agree to AI data sharing, the App will send relevant data (as described above) to Google Gemini AI when you use AI-powered features such as the food safety scanner, Dr. Sniffles chat, and emotion detection. Your consent is stored locally on your device.

What happens if you decline

If you decline consent, AI-powered features will not function. You can still use non-AI features of the App. You may be asked again on your next attempt to use an AI feature. You can change your preference at any time.

Your personal identifiers are never sent to the AI

Your email address, name, account credentials, and device identifiers are never included in requests to Google Gemini AI. Only the specific pet profile data and media content needed for analysis are shared.

RevenueCat

• Purpose: Subscription and in-app purchase management
• Data Shared: Anonymous user ID, subscription status, purchase history
• Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy

Google Sign-In

• Purpose: Optional authentication method
• Data Shared: Email address, name, profile photo
• Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Apple Sign-In

• Purpose: Optional authentication method (iOS only)
• Data Shared: Email address (or private relay email), name
• Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/

Open Food Facts

• Purpose: Product information lookup
• Data Shared: Barcode numbers only
• Privacy Policy: https://world.openfoodfacts.org/privacy

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Maintain your account and provide App services
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

You can request deletion of your account and associated data at any time through the App's Settings screen or by contacting us at vatsalp732@gmail.com.

Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access and Portability

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format

Correction and Deletion

• Update or correct your personal information through the App settings
• Request deletion of your account and personal data

Data Control

• Opt out of non-essential data collection
• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Object to certain types of data processing

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at: vatsalp732@gmail.com

Children's Privacy

Sniffles & Snacks is designed for users who are at least 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately. We will take steps to delete such information from our systems.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

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

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do NOT sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

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

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your personal data based on:

• Contractual necessity (to provide App services)
• Consent (for optional features like location and microphone access)
• Legitimate interests (to improve the App and prevent fraud)

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where data protection laws may differ.

If you are located outside Canada and choose to provide information to us, we transfer your data to servers in North America and process it there. By using the App, you consent to this transfer.

Subscriptions and Payment Information

Payment Processing

We use third-party payment processors to handle subscription payments:

• Apple App Store In-App Purchases (iOS)
• Google Play Billing (Android)

We do NOT store your credit card information. All payment information is handled directly by Apple App Store or Google Play. Subscription management is facilitated through RevenueCat.

Subscription Data

We collect:

• Subscription status (trial, active, cancelled)
• Subscription tier (free, monthly, annual)
• Purchase date and renewal date
• Number of scans performed

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
• Sending you an email notification for material changes

Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

Consent

By using Sniffles & Snacks, you consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.