Fotsee Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Fotsee ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you use the Fotsee mobile application ("App").

By using the App, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

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

• Account Information: Username, full name, email address, and/or phone number
• Profile Information: Profile photo and bio description
• Content You Create: Photos, videos, voice comments, text comments, album titles, captions, and any other content you upload or share
• Communications: Messages you send to our support team

2.2 Location Information

When you use the App, we may collect:

• Precise GPS Location: Optionally attached to photos and videos you upload, used to display your media on a map and enable location-based features
• Location data is collected only while the App is in use — we do not track your location in the background
• You control location on a per-item and per-album basis through in-app privacy settings
• You can disable location access entirely in your iOS device Settings

2.3 Device and Usage Information

We automatically collect:

• Analytics Data: Features you use, time spent in the App, in-app interactions, and app performance data (collected via Firebase Analytics)
• Device Identifiers: Advertising identifier (IDFA) used for ad personalization, subject to your App Tracking Transparency (ATT) consent
• Account Security Data: Failed login attempt counts stored locally on your device to protect your account

2.4 Payment Information

When you order a physical photobook:

• Payment is processed by Stripe, Inc. We do not store your full credit card number. Stripe may retain payment data subject to their own privacy policy
• Your shipping address is shared with Gelato Group AS solely for order fulfillment

2.5 Voice and Speech Data

• Voice comments you record are stored as audio files associated with your albums
• The App uses Apple's on-device Speech Recognition framework to transcribe voice comments. Apple's privacy policy governs this processing

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and operate the App — create and manage your account, store and display your albums and media, enable social features (follows, comments, likes, notifications)
• Enable map and location features — display your geotagged photos and videos on maps, show location-based discovery
• Process transactions — fulfill physical photobook print orders
• Send notifications — alert you to new followers, comments, likes, and album activity
• Show advertising — display ads via Google AdMob (personalized ads require your ATT consent; without consent, only non-personalized ads are shown)
• Improve the App — analyze usage patterns to fix bugs and improve features
• Ensure safety — enforce our Terms of Service, detect and remove prohibited content, respond to reports, and comply with legal obligations
• AI features — the AI Tour Guide feature sends location context to OpenAI's API to generate recommendations

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users

• Your public profile (username, profile photo, bio) is visible to all Fotsee users
• Content in public albums is visible to all Fotsee users
• Content in private albums is visible only to users you specifically authorize
• Your follower and following counts are visible on your profile

4.2 Service Providers

We share data with the following third-party service providers who process it on our behalf:

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government authority, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with applicable laws, protect rights and safety, or report Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) as required by federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2258A).

4.4 Business Transfers

If Fotsee is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified via the App or email.

5. Advertising

5.1 Google AdMob

We use Google AdMob to display ads in the App. AdMob may use your advertising identifier (IDFA) and other signals to show you relevant ads.

5.2 App Tracking Transparency (ATT)

When you first open the App, we will ask for your permission under Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework. If you grant permission, we may serve you personalized ads. If you decline, only non-personalized ads will be shown. You can change this preference at any time in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.

5.3 Ad-Free Option

Premium subscribers can remove ads entirely through an in-app purchase.

6. Data Retention

• Account data is retained for as long as your account is active
• If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data and content from our servers within 30 days, except where retention is required by law
• Anonymized or aggregated analytics data that cannot identify you may be retained indefinitely
• Content reported for legal violations may be retained as long as necessary for legal proceedings

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 Access and Correction

You can view and update your profile information at any time within the App under Profile → Edit Profile.

7.2 Account and Data Deletion

You can delete your account and all associated data at any time via Profile → Settings → Delete Account. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

7.3 Location Data

You can disable location access for the App at any time in iOS Settings → Fotsee → Location → Never. You can also toggle location on a per-item or per-album basis within the App.

7.4 Ad Tracking

You can opt out of personalized advertising at any time via iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.

7.5 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have the right to know, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, without discrimination for exercising these rights. Contact us at dev@fotsee.com.

7.6 European Economic Area, UK, and Switzerland (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, you have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, port, and object to processing, and to withdraw consent where applicable. Contact dev@fotsee.com to exercise your rights.

8. Children's Privacy

The App is intended for users 13 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe your child under 13 has created an account, contact dev@fotsee.com.

9. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including Firebase Authentication, account lockout after failed login attempts, HTTPS encryption, and Firebase Security Rules. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

10. Third-Party Links and Services

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date and notify you through the App where appropriate.

12. Contact Us

Questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

• Email: dev@fotsee.com
• In-App: Profile → Settings → Contact Support

By using Fotsee, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.