Privacy policy

This policy explains how TickSentry handles information when you use the TickSentry website and iOS application. The application is still in development, and this policy will be updated before public release to reflect the final production services and settings.

1. Our privacy approach

TickSentry is designed to keep routine tick-check activity on your device. Live camera frames are processed in memory for preview, filters, and local visual prompts. They are not automatically captured, saved, uploaded, or queued for upload.

TickSentry is an informational tool. It does not diagnose ticks, disease, or medical conditions and cannot confirm that no tick is present.

2. Information stored on your device

Depending on the features you use, the app may store the following locally:

• a randomly generated installation identifier and usage ledger in the iOS Keychain;
• app settings in iOS preferences;
• guided-check progress, saved history metadata, and completed identification results;
• images that you explicitly save or submit for identification.

Saved and submitted images are re-encoded by the app. Source metadata such as GPS coordinates, original filenames, and user comments is not included in the app’s stored image model. You can delete individual history items and their images, or use the app’s delete-all control.

3. Camera and photo access

TickSentry requests camera or photo-library access only when needed for a feature you choose. Live scanning occurs on the device. Selecting a photo does not submit it. For an identification request, you must choose or capture an image, review the crop and disclosure, and deliberately select Analyze before the prepared image leaves your device.

4. Identification service

The production identification service is not yet enabled. When enabled, the app is intended to send one metadata-stripped JPEG and limited request information through TickSentry’s protected backend to an AI service provider. TickSentry does not intend to use cloud object storage for the submitted image or log the image bytes.

The provider will be instructed not to store the response for product-improvement purposes where supported. A provider may still retain limited data for security, abuse prevention, or legal compliance. The final provider, applicable retention terms, processing locations, and user disclosure will be confirmed before release.

5. Location and regional context

If you grant location access, TickSentry may use a coarse region to select bundled seasonal context. Exact coordinates are not intended to be retained in app history or analytics. Location permission is optional, and a general regional fallback remains available.

6. Purchases and subscriptions

Apple processes App Store purchases and subscription management. TickSentry receives the entitlement and transaction information needed to provide purchased features, restore access, prevent abuse, and comply with legal obligations. Apple handles payment-card details under its own privacy policy.

7. Analytics and diagnostics

Product analytics are off by default in the current build. If analytics or crash reporting is enabled for production, this policy and the in-app disclosure will identify the provider, purpose, categories of information, processing regions, and available choices. TickSentry does not intend to include camera images, notes, exact coordinates, raw AI responses, or health information in analytics events.

8. Website data

This website is a static site hosted through Cloudflare. Cloudflare may process technical request data such as IP address, browser details, timestamps, and security signals to deliver and protect the site. This website does not currently provide accounts, forms, behavioural advertising, or first-party analytics cookies.

9. Disclosure and service providers

We may disclose limited information to providers that help operate TickSentry, such as Apple, hosting and security providers, and a future identification service provider. We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect users or the public, or in connection with a business transfer. We do not sell personal information.

10. Security and retention

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the information and the service’s stage of development. No system is completely secure. On-device records remain until you delete them, uninstall the app, or iOS removes them, subject to the separate behaviour of Keychain data and device backups. Final server-side retention periods will be documented before the identification service launches.

11. Your choices and rights

You can deny or revoke camera, photo, and location permissions in iOS Settings; delete app history; use the app’s delete-all control; and manage subscriptions through Apple. Depending on where you live, privacy law may give you additional rights to request access, correction, or deletion of personal information we control.

12. Children

TickSentry is not directed to children and is not designed to knowingly collect personal information from children. A parent or guardian should supervise any use by a minor.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as TickSentry develops or legal and operational requirements change. The effective date above identifies the latest version. Material changes will be communicated where required.

14. Contact

Questions or privacy requests can be sent to support@ticksentry.app. This address must be activated before the public release.