Last updated: July 2026
Published by: YEAP DIGITAL LTD
1. Overview
FossilSnap (“the app”, “we”, “us”) is operated by YEAP DIGITAL LTD. This policy explains what data the app collects, how it is used, and your rights.
We designed FossilSnap to collect as little data as possible. We do not require you to create an account. No name, email address, or personal profile is ever created or stored.
2. Data we collect
2.1 Photos
When you take or select a photo to identify a fossil, that photo is:
- Sent to our backend (hosted on Google Firebase, region: europe-west2) for processing
- Forwarded to OpenAI to perform the identification using AI
- Not stored on our servers — the photo is processed in memory and immediately discarded after a result is returned
- Stored locally on your device within the app’s private storage, so you can revisit past scans in your history
You retain full ownership of your photos. We do not claim any rights to them.
2.2 Anonymous device identifier
We generate a random anonymous identifier when you first install the app. This identifier:
- Is stored in our database (Google Firestore) alongside your scan count
- Is used solely to enforce usage limits (maximum scans per day and per install)
- Is not linked to your name, Apple ID, Google account, or any personal information
- Resets if you reinstall the app
2.3 Usage analytics
We collect anonymous event data to understand how the app is used and to improve it. Events include things like “scan completed”, “scan failed”, and “result shared”. These events contain no photos, no location data, and no personal information. Analytics are powered by Google Firebase Analytics.
2.4 App integrity
We use Firebase App Check to verify that requests to our backend come from the genuine FossilSnap app, helping us prevent abuse.
3. Data we do NOT collect
- Your name, email address, or any account information
- Your location or GPS data
- Your contact list or device contacts
- Payment information
- Your photos beyond what is needed to process a single identification request
4. Third-party services
FossilSnap uses the following third-party services, each with their own privacy policies:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase | Backend, database, analytics, app integrity | firebase.google.com/support/privacy |
| OpenAI | AI fossil identification | openai.com/policies/privacy-policy |
Important: When you submit a photo for identification, that photo is processed by OpenAI’s API. OpenAI’s data usage policies apply to that processing. OpenAI states that API inputs are not used to train their models by default. Please review OpenAI’s privacy policy for full details.
5. How we use your data
| Data | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Your photo | Identify the fossil and return a result to you |
| Anonymous device ID | Count your scans; enforce daily and total usage limits |
| Analytics events | Understand feature usage; improve the app |
We do not sell, rent, or share your data with advertisers or data brokers.
6. Data retention
- Your photos on device: Stored until you delete a scan or uninstall the app
- Photos on our servers: Never retained — discarded immediately after identification
- Your scan count (Firestore): Retained indefinitely under your anonymous device ID; resets on reinstall
- Analytics data: Retained per Google Firebase Analytics standard retention settings (up to 14 months)
7. Children’s privacy
FossilSnap is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If you believe a child has submitted data through the app, please contact us and we will delete it.
8. Your rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights including access to, correction of, or deletion of data we hold about you. Because we collect no personal information and our device identifiers are anonymous, we cannot identify you from our records. If you have a concern, please contact us.
You can delete all locally stored scan history at any time by deleting scans within the app or by uninstalling it.
9. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will reflect any changes. Continued use of the app after a change means you accept the updated policy.
10. Contact
YEAP DIGITAL LTD
Email: contact@yeapdigital.co.uk
Website: yeapdigital.co.uk