Privacy Policy

Who we are

Birdy is a mobile app that identifies birds by their sound and keeps your sightings in a personal field journal. This policy explains what data we collect, why, and what rights you have over it. It covers both the Birdy app and this website.

Data controller

The data controller for Birdy is Mert Çuhadar, Seyrantepe Mah., Altınay Cad. No: 90/12, 34418 İstanbul, Türkiye, reachable at [email protected].

Data we collect

We keep data collection to the minimum needed to run the service:

• Account data — if you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address and profile photo. You can use the app offline without an account.
• Sightings you create — the identified species, date and time, your notes, and (if you allow location access) the approximate coordinates of the observation.
• Audio you record — the sound snippet used to identify a bird. It is processed for recognition; it is only retained if you choose to save the sighting.
• Diagnostic data — when the app crashes we collect technical details (device model, OS version, app version and the error trace) to fix problems. This never includes your recordings.
• Purchase data — if you subscribe to Birdy Pro, we receive your subscription status and transaction identifiers. We never receive or store your card numbers.

We do not show ads, and we do not use advertising or cross-app tracking technologies.

How we use your data

• To identify birds from the sound you record.
• To save your sightings and sync them across your devices and the web journal.
• To keep the service reliable and to diagnose crashes.
• To respond to your support requests.

Where your data is stored and who processes it

We rely on a small number of processors, chosen to keep data within the EU where possible:

• Supabase (EU region) — stores your account and the sightings you sync.
• Sentry (EU region) — receives crash and diagnostic reports.
• Google — handles sign-in (OAuth) when you choose to log in.
• Recognition service — to identify the bird, the audio snippet is sent to our recognition service, processed to return a result, and not kept beyond that unless you save the sighting.
• RevenueCat (subscription management) — when you purchase Birdy Pro, RevenueCat processes your subscription status, an app-specific user identifier linked to your account, and device identifiers to validate and restore your subscription.
• Apple / Google (payment processing) — payment for in-app purchases is handled by the relevant app store; we do not receive your full payment details.
• GBIF — when the regional filter is enabled, your approximate location may be sent to GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) to determine which species are expected near you.

Species reference content (photos, descriptions, sounds) is drawn from eBird, iNaturalist, Wikipedia and xeno-canto. These are outbound sources and do not receive your personal data.

Legal bases for processing

Where the GDPR applies, we process your data on these bases: performance of a contract (providing the app and syncing your journal), your consent (location access and optional sign-in), and our legitimate interests (keeping the service secure and reliable). You can withdraw consent at any time.

Your rights

Under the GDPR and Türkiye's KVKK, you have the right to access, correct, delete, export and restrict the processing of your data, and to object to processing. To exercise any of these, email us at [email protected].

You can delete your account and synced data yourself at any time — see Delete account.

Data retention

We keep your account and sightings for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, your synced data is removed from our active systems promptly and from backups within 30 days. Diagnostic reports are retained for a limited period and then deleted.

International transfers

Our primary storage is in the EU. Where a processor handles data outside your region, that transfer is covered by appropriate safeguards such as the EU Standard Contractual Clauses.

Children

Birdy is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your country), and we do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the app evolves. We will post the new version here and update the date above; significant changes will be highlighted in the app.

Contact

Questions about your privacy? Email [email protected].