Burbz Privacy Policy
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Burbz is a playful bird-identification and collection game by Yaan Batho. This policy explains what the app uses and why, especially for Google Play review.
Short version
Burbz uses your microphone, camera, and approximate location only when you choose bird-identification features. Captures are used to identify birds and are not used to identify you personally.
Data the app uses
- Microphone recordings: when you tap the sound-identification feature, the app records a short clip and sends it to the Burbz server for bird-song analysis.
- Camera frames: when you use photo identification, the app captures a frame from the live camera view and sends it for bird-image analysis.
- Approximate location: if you allow it, location may improve bird identification and show nearby bird encounters on the in-app map.
- Game progress: your flock, Birdex, pet choice, settings, XP, and related game state are stored locally in your browser/app storage.
Things you can choose to share
- Google sign-in (optional): sign in to keep a cloud save. Burbz gets your Google name, email address and profile picture. It stores your name, email and game progress on the Burbz server. Your name and scores can appear on the leaderboards.
- Trail photos (optional): pin a photo to a walking quest and it is stored with its caption and the place you took it. Other players on that quest can see it.
- Feedback (optional): your message, any contact details you type, any screenshots you attach, and which screen you were on.
- Bird drawings (optional): art you send in. If Yaan accepts it, it shows on the bird card with your name and your tip link.
Crash reports
When something breaks, the app sends a short error report: the error message, where in the code it happened, the page address and your browser’s user agent. It holds no name or location. It helps Yaan fix bugs he can’t see on his own phone.
Deleting your data
Clear the app’s storage to delete everything on your phone. To delete your cloud save, trail photos or anything else on the server, contact Yaan (below) and it will be removed. Step by step: delete your Burbz data.
What we do not do
- We do not sell personal data.
- We do not use bird recordings or camera frames for advertising profiling.
- We do not require an account to play. Sign-in is only for cloud saves.
- We do not store your location history. The only exact places kept are on trail photos you choose to pin.
- We do not show ads.
Server processing
Sound and image captures may be temporarily processed on the Burbz server to return a likely bird species, confidence score, and matching game companion. Temporary processing files may be discarded after analysis unless needed briefly for debugging abuse, crashes, or reliability issues. Photo identification sends your framed photo to Google’s Gemini service. With location on, it also sends your rough area (to about 50 km) and the week, so the answer favours birds that live there. Burbz sends no account, device details or exact position to Google, and does not keep the photo or the place.
Permissions
- Microphone: required only for sound identification.
- Camera: required only for live photo identification.
- Location: optional, used for local bird context and map features.
- Network: required for bird analysis, map tiles, online assets, and game updates.
Children and nature safety
Burbz is designed as a nature/game experience. Players should not disturb birds, nests, protected habitats, or private land to capture birds. If younger players use the app, a parent or guardian should supervise outdoor use and permissions.
Contact
For privacy questions or deletion, email yaan996@gmail.com or use yaanbatho.com/contact.html.