1. Introduction

AVNI ("Know Your Crop") is developed by the IIT Ropar Team. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you use our mobile application. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all users, especially children.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Nickname: A nickname you choose for your profile. We ask you not to use your real name.
• Email Address: Used only to send you login codes and to identify your account.
• User ID: A unique identifier created for your account.

2.2 Information Collected When You Use the App

• Plant Scan Images: Photos you take of plants for identification.
• Scan History: Records of plants you have identified, including the date and time of each scan and the AI result.
• Scan Location (optional): Only if you choose to allow it, the exact location (latitude and longitude) where a plant photo was taken, how accurate that location is, and the time it was recorded. See Section 7.
• App Usage Data: Nature Points earned, missions completed, avatars unlocked, and your feedback on scan results.
• Technical Information: App version and basic error information, used to keep the app working reliably.

2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

• Phone numbers
• Location in the background, or when the app is not in use
• Photos from your photo library
• Microphone recordings
• Contacts or address book information
• Financial or payment information
• Browsing history or third-party app data

3. How We Use Information

We use the collected information solely to:

• Provide plant identification services using AI image classification
• Maintain your Nature Book collection of discovered plants
• Track educational progress (Nature Points, missions, achievements)
• Enable the gamification features (Avatar Shop, daily challenges, leaderboard)
• Authenticate your identity for login purposes
• If you allow it, understand where plants are found, to improve plant identification and our educational content
• Improve the accuracy of our AI model

4. Data Storage and Security

• Profile data and scan records, including scan locations when allowed, are stored on Amazon Web Services (AWS) DynamoDB.
• Plant images are stored in Amazon S3 with encryption at rest.
• All data transmission uses HTTPS/TLS encryption.
• Login uses one-time codes sent to your email; we do not store passwords.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties. Data is only processed by:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Cloud infrastructure for secure data storage and login.
• AI Classification Model: Plant photos are sent to our own AI model to identify the plant. Photos are stored with your scan history, and photos the AI cannot recognise may be kept to improve the model.

Scan locations are never shared with third parties and are never used for advertising.

6. Children's Privacy

AVNI is designed for educational use by children. We comply with applicable children's privacy regulations:

• We collect only the minimum information necessary for app functionality.
• Saving the scan location is optional and off until it is allowed. We recommend that a parent, guardian, or teacher helps a child decide whether to allow it.
• We do not serve targeted advertisements.
• We do not enable messaging or public profiles. The leaderboard shows only nicknames and avatars.
• Parents/guardians can request deletion of the account, or of location data only, at any time.

7. Camera and Location Access

7.1 Camera

AVNI requests camera access solely to photograph plants for identification. This permission is used for the plant scanning feature and no other purpose.

7.2 Location (Optional)

AVNI can save where each plant photo was taken. This feature is optional:

• We ask only when you first open the camera. The app explains why before your phone shows its permission prompt.
• If you choose "Not now" or deny permission, every feature of AVNI works exactly the same.
• Location is recorded only at the moment you take a scan photo, and only while the app is open. We never track location in the background.
• You can turn it off at any time in Settings → Privacy → Save scan location in the app, or in your phone's settings.
• Location is stored only with the scan it belongs to, and is deleted together with that scan or your account.

8. Data Retention and Deletion

• Your data is retained as long as your account is active.
• You can delete your account from within the app (Settings → Delete Account), or by contacting us.
• Upon deletion, all personal data, scan history, scan locations, and uploaded images will be permanently removed within 30 days.
• You can ask us to delete only your scan location data, while keeping your account.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your account and all associated data
• Turn off location saving at any time
• Withdraw consent at any time by turning off a permission or discontinuing use of the app

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to request data deletion, please contact us: