PRIVACY POLICIES
Wildlife.ai (“we”, “us”, “our”) values your privacy. This privacy policy explains how the Wildlife Watcher mobile application (“App”) collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information.
This policy applies specifically to the Wildlife Watcher mobile app. For information about our educational services, please see the Privacy Policy for the Wild About AI online courses.
Where you provide personal information to us, we will comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable privacy and data protection laws (“Privacy Laws”). This privacy policy does not limit or exclude any of your rights under Privacy Laws. For further information on the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, see www.privacy.org.nz.
1. Information We Collect
Account Information When you create an account, we collect:
Email address – used for authentication and account identification.
First name and surname – used for display within the App and to identify you to your organisation members.
Location Data The App collects location data to support wildlife monitoring operations:
Precise location (GPS) – used to record GPS coordinates for camera trap deployment sites, enabling accurate habitat mapping and wildlife tracking.
Approximate location (network-based) – used as a fallback when GPS is unavailable.
Background location – with your explicit permission, the App may access your location while minimised to maintain GPS coordinates during active field deployments.
Note: Location data is stored alongside your deployment records and is shared with other members of your organisation who have access to the same project.
Bluetooth Data The App uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to:
Discover and connect to Wildlife Watcher camera trap devices.
Transfer configuration settings (e.g. detection sensitivity, timelapse intervals) to devices.
Receive device status information (battery level, firmware version, LoRaWAN signal strength).
Perform firmware updates on devices.
No Bluetooth data is transmitted to external parties. Device identifiers are used solely for communicating with camera hardware.
Camera and Photo Library With your permission, the App may access:
Camera – to capture photos of deployment sites for documentation.
Photo library – to select existing photos for deployment records.
Photos you capture or select are uploaded to your organisation’s project storage and are visible to members with access to that project.
Device and Network Information The App collects standard diagnostics, including:
Wi-Fi and Network status – to manage offline-first data behaviour and synchronisation.
Device information – used for crash reporting and compatibility diagnostics.
Usage Data We may collect information about how you interact with the App:
Features accessed and actions taken within the App.
Error logs, crash reports, and performance metrics.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
Provide the App Service: Authenticate your account, display projects/deployments, and synchronise data between your device and the cloud.
Enable wildlife monitoring: Record camera trap locations, device configurations, and field observations.
Facilitate collaboration: Share project data with authorised members of your organisation.
Improve the App: Analyse usage patterns, diagnose technical issues, and develop new features.
Communicate with you: Send important service notifications (e.g. account changes, system updates).
Comply with legal obligations: Respond to lawful requests from authorities as required by law.
3. How We Store and Protect Your Information
3.1 Data Storage
Cloud storage: Your account data and project records are stored securely on Supabase (hosted on Amazon Web Services infrastructure).
Local storage: The App uses an offline-first architecture. A local database (WatermelonDB/SQLite) on your device stores a synchronised copy of your data for offline use.
Secure credentials: Authentication tokens are stored in your device’s secure storage (Keychain on iOS, Encrypted SharedPreferences on Android).
3.2 Data Security We implement technical and organisational measures including:
Row Level Security (RLS): Policies that enforce multi-tenant organisation isolation, ensuring you only access data belonging to your own organisation.
Role-based access controls: Permissions limited by role (System Admin, Org Manager, Project Admin, Project Member).
Encrypted transmission: HTTPS/TLS encryption for all communication.
JWT-based authentication: For all API requests.
3.3 International Data Transfers Your data may be stored in data centres outside of New Zealand. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of information to facilities where data protection laws may differ.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with:
Organisation members: Project records and your name are visible to members with shared access.
Service providers: We use third parties to operate the App, including Supabase (database/auth), Google Maps (mapping), and Expo (updates). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
Law Enforcement: If required by law or valid legal requests.
Business transfers: In the event of a merger or acquisition, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
5. Data Retention and Deletion
5.1 Retention Policy
Active accounts: We retain info as long as your account is active.
Scientific data: Camera trap records and wildlife observations may be retained indefinitely for research purposes. However, this data will be permanently anonymised and no longer linked to your identity.
5.2 Account Deletion You have the right to request deletion of your account and personal data at any time.
How to Request: Submit our [Account Deletion Request Form].
Process: Requests are processed within 7–14 business days.
What is Deleted: User profile (name, email), credentials, role assignments, and personal settings.
What is Retained (Anonymised): Deployment locations, dates, and wildlife metadata. All audit trails (e.g., “created by”) are set to null.
6. Your Rights
Under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:
Access your personal information held by us.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion of your account.
Withdraw consent for optional data (e.g. GPS, camera) via device settings.
To exercise these rights, contact contact@wildlife.ai.
7. Additional Disclosures
Children’s Privacy: The App is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect their data.
Cookies: The mobile app does not use cookies.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy has been breached, email contact@wildlife.ai. If unsatisfied, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Governing Law: This policy is governed by the laws of New Zealand. Wildlife.ai means Wildlife.ai Trust, a New Zealand Charity (CC57052).
Last Updated: March 16, 2026
Wildlife.ai values users and takes their users’ privacy seriously.
At Wildlife.ai, we want users (you) to feel comfortable using our website and mobile apps. It is important that you understand how we collect, use, and maintain their information.
Wildlife.ai provides an online environmental and technology literacy tool (Educational Service) and a mobile app for environmental sampling (App Service).
In order to provide the Educational and App Services, and to otherwise conduct its business, Wildlife.ai may collect some personal information about you. Personal information is information that can be used to personally identify you, such as your name and email address.
This policy does not apply to other entities that we do not own or control or persons that are not our employees, agents, or within our control.
Privacy Protected
Where you provide personal information to us, we will comply with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and other applicable privacy laws and data protection laws (if applicable) (together, “Privacy Laws”). This document is our privacy policy and it tells you how we collect and manage your personal information.
Personal information is information about an identifiable individual (a natural person), and includes personal data, personally identifiable information and equivalent information under applicable privacy and data protection laws.
This privacy policy does not limit or exclude any of your rights under Privacy Laws. For further information on the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, see www.privacy.org.nz.
This privacy policy was drafted with brevity and clarity in mind. It does not provide exhaustive detail of all aspects of our collection and use of personal information. We are happy to provide any additional information or explanation needed. Any request for further information should be sent to contact@wildlife.ai.
1. Key Definitions
To keep things clear, here is what we mean when we use these terms:
Organisation: A school, company, or entity that facilitates and invites you to use the Service.
Private User: An individual using our services for non-commercial, private use.
Service: The tools and features offered on our Website and Mobile apps (e.g., Wildlife Watcher).
User Data: Any content or info you post or provide while using the Services.
User Submissions: User Data intended to be visible to others (e.g., forum posts or shared observations).
2. Information We Collect
By User Type
Parents and Legal Guardians: If a child uses our Services via a school program, we may collect the child’s username and email address from the parent/guardian.
General Users: We collect your username, email address, and current location. We also track “behavioural” data, such as test results from quizzes, surveys, and how you interact with the Service.
How We Collect It We generally collect info directly from you when you:
Access the Website or Mobile apps (e.g., filling out an enquiry form or signing up for a newsletter).
Have a conversation with our team via phone or email.
Create an account, take a quiz, or post a User Submission.
What if we can’t collect this info? If you choose not to provide personal information:
We may not be able to provide the Services to the standard you expect (or at all).
We cannot tailor content to your preferences.
Note: Demographic surveys (age, ethnicity, financial situation) are always optional and will never impact your quality of service.
3. Use and Disclosure of Information
How We Use Your Data We collect your information to perform our business functions and provide high-quality service, specifically for:
Improving the Service: Responding to requests and carrying out R&D.
Monitoring: Ensuring compliance with our contracts and usage terms.
Marketing: Providing info on new products or services (direct marketing).
Safety & Law: Investigating complaints or protecting the safety of our users and the public.
Who We Share It With We may disclose your information to:
Service Providers: Contractors, web hosts, IT administrators, and professional advisors (lawyers/accountants) who help us run Wildlife.ai.
Authorities: Law enforcement or regulatory agencies when required by law.
Business Transfers: If Wildlife.ai is sold or merged, your data may be transferred to the new owner.
Aggregated Data: We may share anonymised, aggregated data with third parties for marketing or research. This data cannot identify you personally.
4. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies (and similar tech like pixel tags) to improve your experience:
For Visitors: We track how you navigate the site to improve usability. This does not collect personal info.
For Account Holders: Cookies remember who you are while logged in. They are usually deleted when you log out, but some remain to “recognize” you when you return.
Google Analytics: We use this to understand how long users spend on pages. See the official Google Analytics page for more info.
Control: You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but please note this may break some features of our Website.
5. Security and Storage
Data Protection As required by law, we take steps to protect your info from loss or unauthorised access. This includes technical and organisational measures appropriate to the level of risk.
Your Responsibility You play a vital role in security. You must:
Keep your password confidential.
Notify us immediately at contact@wildlife.ai if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.
International Transfers Because our support partners and cloud providers operate globally, your data may be stored or processed outside of New Zealand.
6. Your Rights and Data Retention
Access and Correction You have the right to see the personal info we hold about you and request corrections if it is inaccurate. To protect your privacy, we will require evidence of your identity before making changes.
Data Retention We do not keep personal information longer than necessary for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law.
Public Posts If you post a User Submission (like a public comment or shared photo), remember that this information is publicly available and provided at your own risk.
7. Contact and Complaints
If you have questions or believe your privacy has been breached:
Email: contact@wildlife.ai
Process: Please put your complaint in writing. We will investigate, advise you of the process, and contact you with our conclusions.
Governing Law This policy is governed by the laws of New Zealand.
Entity: Wildlife.ai Trust (NZ Charity: CC57052)
Last Updated: January 3, 2024
