Privacy Policy
Last updated ·
This Privacy Policy explains what data the Byfind iOS app (the "App") handles, why, and the choices you have. The provider responsible for this processing is named at the end of this page. If you have any question, write to supports@byfind.app.
Byfind does not require an account. Your collection lives on your device, and the App does not contain advertising or third-party analytics software.
Camera and photos
The App uses the camera to take photos and lets you choose photos from your library through the system photo picker. Live camera frames are processed only on your device and are not sent anywhere. When you take or choose a photo, the App isolates the subject on your device.
The photos you take and the isolated subjects are stored in the App's own storage on your device, together with the generated descriptions, categories, collection names and dates. This data is not uploaded to our servers as part of your collection and is not synced between devices. Deleting an item in the App deletes it from the device; deleting the App deletes the whole collection. Your device backups may contain a copy under the rules of your device or iCloud settings.
Analysis of your photos
To generate a description, the App sends the photo you took or chose to Byfind servers over an encrypted connection. Our servers forward the image to analysis services operated by technology providers, which return a title, category and description. The image may also be placed in cloud storage operated by an infrastructure provider on our behalf.
Photos may show people, places or objects that reveal something about you. Only take or choose a photo when you are comfortable with it being analysed. Descriptions are generated automatically and may be inaccurate; see the Terms of Service.
Service and technical data
When the App contacts our servers it sends the information needed to answer and protect the request: a random identifier generated by the App on your device, the App version, the request time, a one-time request signature, and network information such as your IP address. Our servers keep technical logs containing this data, including request IDs, response codes and errors, to operate the Service, prevent abuse and diagnose problems.
The random identifier is created by the App and kept in your device's keychain. It is not your name, Apple ID or advertising identifier, and it is not used for advertising. It is used to sign requests and to apply usage limits.
Purchases
Plus subscriptions are sold and billed by Apple. We do not receive your name, payment card or billing address. To verify whether a subscription is active, the App and a subscription management provider acting on our behalf process the App Store transaction identifiers, product identifiers, purchase and expiry dates, and an anonymous app user identifier. Apple's own privacy policy applies to the App Store and to payment.
Why we process data
We process the data described above to:
- provide the App's features, in particular generating descriptions of your photos;
- verify subscriptions and apply the limits of the free version;
- keep the Service secure, prevent abuse and fraud, and enforce usage limits;
- diagnose errors and improve reliability;
- respond to your requests and comply with legal obligations.
Where the law requires a legal basis, we rely on the performance of our agreement with you for providing the App and its purchases, on our legitimate interest in keeping the Service secure and reliable, and on your consent where you choose to submit a photo for analysis. We do not sell your data and do not use it for advertising or profiling.
Who receives data
Data is shared only with providers who process it on our behalf to run the Service:
- analysis service providers that generate descriptions from the images we forward;
- cloud infrastructure and storage providers that host our servers and store uploaded images;
- the subscription management provider that verifies App Store purchases;
- Apple, which operates the App Store and processes payments.
These providers act under contracts that limit their use of the data to providing their service to us, except for Apple, which acts as an independent provider under its own terms. We may also disclose data where the law requires it or to protect the rights and safety of users or others.
How long we keep data
Uploaded images and the results of analysis are kept only as long as needed to complete the analysis, to operate and secure the Service and to resolve disputes about abuse, after which they are deleted or anonymised. Technical logs are kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting and are then deleted. Purchase verification records are kept while the subscription is relevant and for as long as accounting and consumer rules require. Support emails are kept as long as needed to handle your request.
Data on your device is under your control and is removed when you delete items or the App.
International transfers
Our servers and providers may be located in countries other than the one you live in, and data may be transferred to and processed in those countries. Where such transfers are subject to data protection law, we rely on the safeguards that law provides, such as contractual clauses with our providers.
Your choices and rights
- You can deny or withdraw camera access in the iOS Settings; the App can still use photos you choose from your library.
- You decide which photos are analysed by taking or choosing them; the App never uploads images automatically.
- You can delete items or the whole collection on your device at any time.
- You can manage or cancel the Plus subscription in your Apple ID settings.
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete or receive a copy of your personal data, to object to or restrict processing, to withdraw consent, and to complain to a supervisory authority. To exercise these rights, write to supports@byfind.app. Because the App has no accounts, we may not be able to link server-side data to you; we may ask for information, such as the App's identifier or the approximate time of a request, to locate the data, and we will respond within the time the law requires.
Children
The App is not directed at children under 13 years of age, or the higher age required where you live, and we do not knowingly collect data from them. If you believe a child has provided data to us, contact us and we will delete it.
This website
This website does not use cookies, analytics or tracking scripts. The hosting provider that delivers the pages may keep technical access logs, such as IP addresses and request times, for security. Email links open your own mail app.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when the App, our providers or the law change. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last updated. Material changes are announced in the App or on this page before they take effect.