Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 22, 2026

            Summary: GrowPlanner stores your garden plans locally on your device. We collect limited, anonymous usage analytics (no personal information) to help us improve the app. If you use the "Use My Location" feature, your approximate location is sent to our own server to look up your hardiness zone — it is not stored or linked to you.
        

Introduction

Smart Penguins ("we," "our," or "us") operates the GrowPlanner mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information when you use our App.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. GrowPlanner is designed with a privacy-first approach — your garden data stays on your device, and any analytics we collect are anonymous and used only to improve the app.

Information We Collect

Data Stored Locally on Your Device

GrowPlanner stores the following information locally on your device:

Your planting batches and tasks
App settings (theme preference, language, notification time)
Your USDA hardiness zone and frost dates
Onboarding completion status

This data is stored using your device's local storage (SQLite database and AsyncStorage) and is never transmitted to our servers.

Anonymous Usage Analytics

To help us understand how the app is used and improve its features, we collect anonymous usage events through our own analytics service. No third-party analytics providers are used.

Each event includes:

A randomly generated device ID (UUID — not linked to your identity or device hardware)
A randomly generated session ID (reset on each app launch)
The event name (e.g., "batch_created", "plant_viewed")
Platform (iOS or Android) and app version
Event timestamp
Non-personal event properties (e.g., plant category, USDA zone, sort preference)

Examples of events we track:

App opened, onboarding started and completed
Batch created, archived, or deleted
Plant viewed or searched
Settings changed (theme, language, notification time, frost dates)
Subscription screen viewed, purchase started or completed
Template selected when creating a batch

Analytics events are queued on-device and sent in batches when the app is active and a network connection is available. We never collect names, email addresses, or any information that could identify you personally.

Data We Do NOT Collect

We do not collect, store, or transmit:

Personal identification information (name, email, address)
Precise location data (we only use approximate location, optionally, for zone lookup)
Hardware device identifiers (IDFA, GAID, serial number)
Your garden plans, plant names, or task content
Any data through third-party analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics, Firebase, Facebook)

Third-Party Services

App Store Services

When you download GrowPlanner from Google Play or the Apple App Store, those platforms may collect data according to their own privacy policies. We do not have access to this data.

In-App Purchases

If you make an in-app purchase, the transaction is processed entirely by Google Play or Apple. We do not receive or store your payment information.

Location Services

GrowPlanner includes an optional "Use My Location" feature that detects your USDA hardiness zone and frost dates automatically. When you use this feature:

Your device's approximate location (accurate to ~1 km) is sent to our own server
The server returns your hardiness zone and frost dates, then discards the coordinates — they are not stored or logged
Your location is never linked to any user ID, device ID, or account
This feature is entirely optional — you can enter your ZIP code manually instead

We request only approximate location permission (not precise/GPS) on Android. On iOS, location is accessed only when you actively tap the button — never in the background.

Local Notifications

GrowPlanner can send you local notifications to remind you about gardening tasks. These notifications are generated and scheduled entirely on your device. No notification data is sent to our servers.

You can disable notifications at any time through the App settings or your device's system settings.

Data Security

Since all your data is stored locally on your device, its security depends on your device's security measures. We recommend:

Using a device passcode or biometric lock
Keeping your device's operating system up to date
Being cautious about installing apps from unknown sources

Data Retention and Deletion

Your data remains on your device until you choose to delete it. You can:

Delete individual batches and tasks within the App
Clear all App data through your device's settings
Uninstall the App to remove all associated data

Children's Privacy

GrowPlanner does not knowingly collect any personal information from children under 13. Since we don't collect personal information from any users, the App is safe for users of all ages.

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 Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: support@smartpenguins.io

            Your Privacy Matters: We built GrowPlanner to help you garden better. Your garden data stays on your device. The only external data we collect is anonymous usage analytics, and optionally your approximate location — used only to look up your hardiness zone and immediately discarded. No names, no accounts, no personal information. If you have any concerns or suggestions about how we handle privacy, we'd love to hear from you.
        