Privacy Policy
Application: Rock Identifier: Stone Scanner (Package: com.app.rockscannerai)
Last Updated: October 25, 2026
Welcome to Rock Identifier: Stone Scanner ("we", "our", or "us"), provided and operated by App Studio Apps. We are fully committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how your data is handled when you use our Android application on Google Play.
1. Information We Collect
Our application is designed to provide instant rock, stone, crystal, and mineral identification while collecting only the minimal data strictly necessary to deliver these features.
| Data Category | Specific Information | How It Is Stored / Processed |
|---|
| Rock Identification Photos |
Photos taken by the user to scan and identify rocks, stones, crystals, minerals, and gemstones. |
Photos are processed temporarily for identification purposes. Images may be transmitted to our AI image recognition API for accurate geological species identification. Images are not stored on external servers beyond the duration of the identification request. |
| Rock Collection & Journal Data |
Saved specimen profiles, identification history, collection notes, GPS location tags, and personal journal entries. |
Stored 100% locally on your Android device via encrypted SQLite/Room database. Never uploaded or shared externally. |
| Technical & Device Data |
Android OS version, device model, language settings, network connectivity status, and approximate IP-based country. |
Processed automatically by third-party advertising and analytics SDKs for ad delivery and crash diagnostics. |
| Advertising Identifiers |
Google Advertising ID (GAID). |
Used by Google AdMob for ad frequency capping and measurement, subject to your Google account privacy settings and GDPR/CCPA consent dialogs. |
| Location Data (Optional) |
GPS coordinates optionally tagged by the user to record where a rock specimen was found. |
Stored 100% locally on your device within your rock collection journal. Never transmitted to external servers. Location access is requested only when the user explicitly initiates the "Tag Location" feature. |
2. Android Permissions Declared & Purpose
- android.permission.CAMERA: Required to enable the core rock scanner feature — users point their camera at any rock, crystal, or mineral specimen for instant identification. Camera access is activated only when the user initiates a scan. No images are captured in the background or without explicit user action. The device camera hardware is declared as optional (
android:required="false") so the app remains installable on devices without a rear camera.
- android.permission.INTERNET: Required to transmit rock scan images to the AI identification engine and to retrieve geological data, field guide content, and advertisements through Google AdMob.
- android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE: Used to check whether an active internet connection is available before initiating rock identification API requests or ad requests.
- android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION (Optional): Used solely when the user explicitly activates the "Tag Find Location" feature to record the GPS coordinates of where a rock specimen was discovered. Location is never accessed passively, in the background, or without direct user action. This permission is entirely optional and the app functions fully without it.
- android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS: Optional on Android 13+ (API level 33 and higher). Used solely to deliver rock hunting expedition reminders configured by the user. Can be disabled at any time in device settings.
Scoped Storage & Zero Media Permissions: Our application does NOT request or require READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, or WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permissions. All rock identification images taken within the app remain within the app's sandboxed private storage.
3. How We Use Collected Information
- To perform instant rock, stone, crystal, mineral, and gemstone identification from user-submitted camera photos or gallery images.
- To deliver accurate geological profiles including common name, scientific classification, chemical formula, Mohs hardness, formation process, and luster data for each identified specimen.
- To power the personal rock collection journal allowing users to save, categorize, and annotate identified specimens.
- To optionally record GPS location tags for specimens when the user explicitly initiates this feature.
- To serve in-app advertisements via Google AdMob that keep the app available at no cost to users.
- To detect, diagnose, and resolve technical crashes, bugs, and performance issues.
- To ensure compliance with Google Play Developer Program Policies and applicable privacy laws.
4. Third-Party Services and SDK Disclosures
- Google AdMob: Serves banner, interstitial, and rewarded advertisements. AdMob may collect device identifiers, IP addresses, and diagnostic information.
Learn more: Google Privacy & Terms | How Google Uses Data in Advertising
- Google User Messaging Platform (UMP): Delivers EEA and UK GDPR-compliant consent dialogs per IAB TCF v2.2 standards.
- Google Play Services: Provides core platform capabilities, in-app update management, and app review APIs.
Learn more: Google Play Services Privacy Policy
- Firebase Crashlytics / Analytics (if enabled): Collects anonymous crash stack traces and app performance logs.
- Rock Identification API: Rock and mineral scan images are transmitted to an AI-powered geological recognition service solely for species identification. Images are processed transiently and are not retained by the service beyond the API call duration.
5. Data Sharing & Sale of Information
We do NOT sell, rent, lease, or trade your personal data, rock collection, or identification history to any third party. Data is only shared with the services explicitly listed in Section 4 for the purposes described.
6. User Accounts & Data Deletion Instructions
No Account Required: Rock Identifier: Stone Scanner does not require user registration, login, or social authentication.
- Deleting In-App Data: Navigate to: Settings > Apps > Rock Identifier: Stone Scanner > Storage > Clear Data, or simply uninstall the app.
- Resetting Google Advertising ID: Go to: Settings > Google > Ads > Delete Advertising ID.
- Direct Deletion Requests: Email [email protected].
7. GDPR Compliance (EEA and UK Users)
- Right of Access & Portability: All collection data and identification history reside locally on your device.
- Right to Rectification & Erasure: Edit or delete any saved specimen, note, or location tag at any time within the app or by clearing app storage.
- Consent Management: Google UMP SDK provides GDPR-compliant consent dialogs. You may withdraw advertising consent at any time.
- Legal Basis: App functionality data is processed under legitimate interest; advertising data under user consent where required.
8. CCPA / CPRA Compliance (California Residents)
- Right to know what personal information is collected and how it is shared.
- Right to request deletion of personal information.
- We do not sell personal data for monetary consideration.
- Opt out of cross-context behavioral advertising via Android OS settings or in-app consent options.
9. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
Our application is not directed toward children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA/UK). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal data, contact us at [email protected] and we will immediately delete such data.
10. Data Security Measures
All network communications for rock identification API calls and content delivery occur over secure HTTPS / TLS 1.3 encrypted connections. Your local rock collection and identification history are stored within Android's sandboxed private app storage, inaccessible to external applications.
11. Data Retention
Your rock collection, specimen notes, and identification history remain on your device as long as the app is installed. Rock images transmitted for identification are processed transiently and not retained on external servers. Diagnostic crash logs are retained by Google per their standard cycles (typically 90 days).
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will update the "Last Updated" date when changes occur. Continued use of the application after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
13. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by applicable consumer protection laws relevant to digital mobile software distributed on Google Play.
14. Contact Us