Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information depending on the features you use. Many features are optional and only activate the related collection when you choose to use them.

• Account & profile information: If you create an account, we collect your email address and a securely hashed password. If you sign in with a social or third-party provider (such as Google, Apple, or Kakao), we receive basic profile details such as your name and email from that provider.
• Location data: With your permission, we access your device's precise GPS location to position augmented-reality overlays, identify nearby peaks, trails, and forests, and provide location-based recommendations.
• Camera & augmented-reality imagery: The camera feed is used in real time to render AR overlays. The live feed is processed on your device and is not transmitted to our servers unless you choose to capture, save, or share an image.
• Saved AR photos & screenshots: If you capture an AR photo or screenshot, it is stored on your device. If you choose to upload or share it, it will be transmitted to our servers or to the destination you select.
• Microphone & audio: Certain features (such as voice notes or audio narration) may require microphone access. Audio is only captured when you actively use such a feature.
• Motion & orientation sensors: We read accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass data to align AR content with the real world. This data is processed on-device for positioning.
• User-generated content: Reviews, notes, bookmarks, shared sightings, and other content you create within the Service.
• Usage & device information: We automatically collect app usage events, crash and diagnostic logs, device model, operating-system version, language settings, app version, and IP address for analytics, troubleshooting, and security.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide, operate, and maintain the Service and its augmented-reality features.
• To position AR overlays and surface nearby and recommended natural features based on your location.
• To create and manage your account and to sync your bookmarks and content across devices.
• To improve the Service, understand how features are used, and diagnose and fix problems.
• To communicate with you about updates, security notices, and support requests.
• To protect the Service against fraud, abuse, and security threats, and to comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal Basis & Consent

We process your personal information based on your consent, the performance of our service to you, and our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Service, as permitted under PIPA. Where we rely on consent — for example, to access your location, camera, or microphone, or to send push notifications — you may withdraw that consent at any time through your device or app settings, though some features may stop working as a result.

4. Sharing & Third-Party Services

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only with the service providers necessary to operate NatureLens, and only to the extent required:

• Supabase: Provides our backend infrastructure, authentication, and database hosting. Account data, cloud-synced bookmarks, and user-generated content are stored here.
• Analytics & crash reporting: We use analytics and error-monitoring tools to measure usage and diagnose crashes. These may process device and usage information and identifiers.
• Maps & public data sources: We use map providers and public datasets, including Korea Forest Service public data, to display geographic and ecological information. Your location may be sent to map or geocoding services to render the map.
• Push notifications, advertising & payments: If enabled, push-notification providers, advertising networks, or payment processors may receive the limited data needed to deliver notifications, show ads, or process purchases.
• Legal & safety: We may disclose information where required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of our users or the public.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to provide the Service and for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymize the associated personal information within a reasonable period, except where retention is legally required.

6. Data Storage & International Transfers

Your information may be stored and processed on servers operated by our service providers, which may be located outside the Republic of Korea. Where information is transferred internationally, we take steps to ensure it is protected consistently with this policy and applicable law.

7. Your Rights

Under PIPA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Withdraw your consent to processing at any time.
• Request that we suspend the processing of your personal information.

You can exercise many of these rights directly within the app (for example, by editing your profile, deleting content, or deleting your account). For other requests, please contact us through our official channels.

8. Children's Privacy

NatureLens is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 14 without the consent of a legal guardian. If we learn that we have collected such information without the required consent, we will delete it. A legal guardian who believes their child has provided us with personal information may contact us to request its removal.

9. Cookies & Local Storage

Our website and app use local storage and similar technologies to remember preferences such as your selected language. We may also use cookies or device identifiers for analytics. You can control these through your browser or device settings.

10. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards — including encryption in transit and hashed passwords — to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice within the Service. Your continued use of NatureLens after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please reach out to us through the official NatureLens channels (in-app support or the contact options provided on our website).