Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2025

1. Introduction

We take the protection of your personal data very seriously. This privacy policy explains how Plantly ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our mobile application and website.

2. Responsible Party

Dennis van den Brock
Josef-Wolter-Weg 2
41569 Rommerskirchen
Germany
Email: dennisvandenbrock54@gmail.com

3. Data We Collect

3.1 Account Data

When you create an account, we collect:

  • Email address
  • Password (encrypted)
  • Username (optional)

3.2 Plant Data

Data you enter about your plants:

  • Plant names and species
  • Care schedules and history
  • Photos (stored locally or on our servers)
  • Location within your home
  • Notes

3.3 Error Tracking and Diagnostics

To ensure app stability and fix bugs, we use Sentry (sentry.io) for error tracking. This service automatically collects:

  • Crash reports and error logs
  • Device information (model, OS version)
  • App version and state at time of error
  • Anonymous session identifiers

This data is collected based on our legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) to maintain and improve app stability. Sentry processes data on servers in the EU/EEA. No personal content (plant names, photos, notes) is included in error reports.

3.4 AI-Powered Plant Care Assistant (Groq Cloud)

When you use our AI-powered plant care assistant, we process your plant-related questions through Groq Cloud (groq.com), a third-party AI service provider. The following information is sent to Groq:

  • Your plant information (name, species, soil type, location within your home, notes)
  • Care history (watering, fertilizing, pruning, repotting events with dates and notes)
  • Known species data from our database (scientific name, care requirements, growing conditions)
  • Your specific question about plant care
  • Current date and season information

We do NOT send any personally identifiable information (PII) such as your email address, username, password, or account information to Groq. Only plant-related data necessary to answer your care questions is transmitted.

This data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) when you use the AI assistant feature. Groq processes data on servers in the United States. For more information about Groq's data practices, please visit: https://groq.com/privacy-policy/

3.5 Plant Species Identification (PlantNet)

When you use the plant identification feature, we utilize the PlantNet API, an external plant identification service. When you submit a photo for identification:

  • Only the plant photo you select is sent to PlantNet for identification
  • No other data (account information, email, username, location, or other plant data) is transmitted

This data processing is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) when you use the plant identification feature. PlantNet is operated by a consortium of French research organizations (Cirad, INRAE, Inria, IRD). For more information about PlantNet's data practices, please visit: https://plantnet.org/

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your data to:

  • Provide and maintain the Plantly service
  • Send care reminders and notifications
  • Sync your data across devices
  • Improve our app and services
  • Respond to your support requests

5. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored securely on servers within the European Union. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

6. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your data only in the following circumstances:

  • With household members you explicitly invite to share plant care
  • With service providers who assist in operating our services, including:
    • Sentry (error tracking and diagnostics)
    • Groq Cloud (AI-powered plant care assistant - only plant-related data, no PII)
    • PlantNet (plant species identification - only plant photos)
  • When required by law

All third-party service providers are bound by data protection agreements and process data only as necessary to provide their services.

7. Your Rights (GDPR)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of your personal data
  • Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
  • Restriction: Restrict processing of your personal data
  • Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
  • Objection: Object to processing of your personal data

To exercise these rights, please contact us at dennisvandenbrock54@gmail.com.

8. Cookies

Our website uses only essential cookies required for the website to function. We do not use tracking or advertising cookies.

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

11. Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
dennisvandenbrock54@gmail.com

Deutsche Version