Android version in preparation
A separate Android version is being prepared for Google Play. Its journal, notes, selected shell comparisons, favorites, wish list and beach-day albums are stored on the device. Imported and camera photos are resized and saved as JPEG copies in private app storage; their original embedded metadata is not retained in those copies. Android photo selection uses the system picker, so the app does not request broad photo-library access. The Android version does not request device location or store map coordinates in its current build.
Android photo-assisted comparison runs on the device against bundled reference photographs. The current Android build includes Google Mobile Ads and User Messaging Platform libraries for future integration, but app code does not request ads or display placements in this build. If ads are enabled in a later update, we will update this policy and the Play Data safety answers before release. The app does not send shell photos, notes or journal records to Google advertising services. SDK components may still process technical data as described by Google at https://developers.google.com/admob/android/privacy/data-disclosure.
The optional Android Pro purchase is designed as a one-time in-app product handled by Google Play Billing. Google Play provides the entitlement record; Goodale Studios does not receive payment-card details. The product is configured in Google Play, but it is not publicly available until release approval and purchase testing are complete. Android tide requests send a chosen NOAA station ID, dates and units, along with normal network data such as an IP address. Android backups are user-created ZIP files containing saved JPEG copies, notes and journal details. You choose the destination through the system document picker. Automatic Android app backup is disabled in the current build. Deleting app data removes the local Android journal, but it does not remove ZIP copies you exported elsewhere.
Photos, records and identification
Photographs, working crops, unsaved drafts, notes, dates, selected identities, favorites, albums, wish lists and any optional coordinates are stored in the app on your device. Apple Vision processes images locally. The app has no account system, identification server, separate app-analytics service or automatic photo-sync service. Goodale Studios does not receive your shell photographs for identification.
Original photographs are preserved with their embedded metadata, which may include a location. Imported photo locations are not automatically used as find coordinates. Device backups, including iCloud device backups if you enable them, may include app data under your Apple settings.
Camera and optional location
The camera is requested when you choose capture. Apple’s photo picker lets you select individual photographs. Location permission is requested only when you ask to find nearby stations or fill in private find coordinates. There is no background location tracking. Nearest-station distances are computed on your device. You may deny location and use the journal manually.
Advertising and privacy choices
The free app integrates Google Mobile Ads and Google’s User Messaging Platform. Eligible ad requests wait for purchase status and the UMP consent result. Google may process IP address (including approximate location inferred from it), device identifiers, ad interactions and diagnostic or performance information for advertising and related purposes. App code does not attach shell photos, notes or saved coordinates to ad requests. These statements do not mean the advertising SDK collects no data.
When advertising is enabled in a release, the app waits for purchase status and the Google consent result before eligible ad requests. Advertising privacy choices is available in Settings when Google requires it. A verified Pro entitlement removes ad views and stops new ad requests; it does not erase data Google previously received. The submitted 1.0 build 9 has ad requests disabled. The bundled Google SDK privacy manifest declares device identifiers used for tracking and other data categories, which are included in the App Store privacy label. This policy and the label will be updated if advertising behavior changes.
Google describes its practices at https://policies.google.com/privacy and https://developers.google.com/admob/ios/privacy/data-disclosure. The app does not request App Tracking Transparency permission or read the advertising identifier directly. This does not mean the advertising SDK is incapable of collecting identifiers or other data.
Purchases, tides and maps
Apple processes the one-time Pro purchase and provides signed transaction information used to check entitlement. The app does not handle your payment-card details. When you load tide predictions, NOAA receives the selected station ID, requested dates, units and normal network metadata such as IP address. The request contains no user latitude or longitude. Opening maps uses Apple map services, which may receive network and map-area information. Opening a source link sends a request to that website.
Exports and support
A full portable backup includes original images and embedded metadata, notes and exact coordinates you deliberately saved. A recovery copy can include damaged raw records. Share these only with trusted recipients. Rendered share cards, PDFs and CSV reports omit exact coordinates and original image metadata; beach names are opt-in. Notes are user text and may themselves contain personal information. You control the share destination. Emailing support sends the message and any attachments you choose through your email provider to support@goodalestudios.com.
Retention and deletion
You can delete one find, selected finds, or all local collection data in Settings. Removing the app removes its local container, subject to device backups you control. Apple owns the purchase record; deleting journal data does not cancel the non-consumable. You can restore an eligible purchase through Apple. Thumbnail and reference-feature caches are rebuildable; their limits do not delete original saved photographs.
Website and support communications
The website is separate from the on-device app. Vercel hosts these pages and processes routine request information to deliver and protect the site. The site includes Vercel Web Analytics for aggregate website usage. If you choose to use Studio Guide, the website sends the conversation to the OpenAI API to generate a reply. See the Goodale Studios website privacy overview at https://goodalestudios.com/privacy for details.
Support messages and attachments are received through our email provider and used to respond, investigate problems and meet legal obligations. Please send only information needed for your request. We retain support correspondence as needed for those purposes; contact us about access or deletion. We cannot remotely access or erase the app’s local journal.
Children and changes
Seashell Scout does not offer public profiles, messaging or account registration. It is a general-audience nature journal, not a service specifically directed to children. A parent or guardian should supervise purchases, sharing, location choices and support communications. Contact us if a child has sent personal information to support.
Effective October 10, 2026. This policy applies to Seashell Scout and its website pages, including prerelease versions. We will update it to reflect material changes to the app or services. An effective policy does not imply that the app has been released or approved by Apple.
Contact
Peter Goodale, publishing as Goodale Studios · support@goodalestudios.com. For privacy questions, you may also contact peter.goodale@icloud.com. Include Seashell Scout in the subject.
