Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

FlockSpot is built by a single independent developer based in the Netherlands. We take your privacy seriously, and this policy explains in plain language what data we collect, why we collect it, and what control you have over it.

Who we are

FlockSpot is developed and operated by an independent developer based in the Netherlands. For any privacy-related question, you can reach us at team.flockspot@gmail.com. We are in the process of formalising FlockSpot under a registered Dutch company (KvK), and this policy will be updated with full legal entity details once that registration is complete.

What information we collect

We collect only what is needed to make FlockSpot work for you:

Account information: your name, email address, and a profile photo if you choose to add one.
Bird sightings: the species, date, time, location, and any photo or note you attach to a sighting you log.
Location data: used to suggest nearby birds, prefill the location of a sighting, and power route tracking if you are a Pro subscriber. You can decline location access entirely and still use most of FlockSpot, though some features will be limited.
Usage data: general, anonymised information about how the app is used, so we can fix bugs and improve features.
Purchase information: if you subscribe to FlockSpot Pro, payment is handled entirely by Apple or Google. We never see or store your payment details.

How we use your information

To operate core features: your lifelist, target list, map, identification, and community feed.
To show you relevant content, such as birds spotted near you or a personalised Bird of the Day.
To improve FlockSpot through aggregated, anonymised usage patterns.
To contact you about important account or service updates.

Sharing data with eBird

FlockSpot integrates with eBird, the citizen science platform run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you choose to enable science contribution, your sightings can be shared with eBird to support real ornithological research. This is entirely optional, free for every user, and can be turned off at any time in Settings. We never share your data with eBird without this explicit opt-in.

Sharing data with others

We do not sell your personal data, to anyone, ever. We only share data in these limited cases:

With eBird, only if you have opted in to science contribution.
With service providers that help us run the app (such as cloud hosting and AI-based bird identification), under contracts that require them to protect your data.
If required by law, or to protect the safety of our users.

Anything you post publicly in the community feed, such as a sighting, photo, or comment, is visible to other FlockSpot users by design, since that is the purpose of the feed.

Your rights

If you are in the European Union, the United Kingdom, or another region with similar data protection laws, you have the right to:

Access the personal data we hold about you.
Correct inaccurate data.
Delete your account and associated data at any time, directly from Settings.
Export your data, including your lifelist, in a portable format.
Withdraw consent for location access or science contribution at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, you can use the relevant controls in the app, or contact us directly at team.flockspot@gmail.com.

Data retention

We keep your data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your personal data is permanently removed from our systems, with the exception of sightings you have already and knowingly shared with eBird, which remain part of the scientific record under eBird's own data policy.

Children's privacy

FlockSpot is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under this age. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us so we can remove it.

International use

FlockSpot is currently launching in Europe, with availability in other regions to follow. As we expand, we will update this policy to reflect the specific privacy laws of each new region, such as the CCPA in the United States or POPIA in South Africa.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as FlockSpot grows. If we make significant changes, we will let you know in the app before they take effect.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Reach out any time at team.flockspot@gmail.com.