🐾 PetCom: Pet Care — Privacy Policy

1. Who this Privacy Policy applies to

This Privacy Policy explains how PetCom: Pet Care ("PetCom", "the app", "we", "us" or "our"), published by Leobella Technologies Ltd, handles information when you use the PetCom mobile application.

This policy applies to the current Android and iOS versions of PetCom.

By using PetCom, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Where we rely on consent for particular processing, you may withdraw that consent as explained in this policy.

2. Information PetCom may process

Pet profile and care information

Information you choose to enter may include:

• pet name;
• species;
• breed;
• sex;
• date of birth or age;
• colour;
• weight;
• microchip information;
• vaccination information;
• treatment or care information;
• medication or care notes;
• reminders;
• appointments;
• pet-passport information; and
• other pet-related records you choose to store.

Core pet records are stored locally on your device. If you enable personal cloud synchronisation, selected records are also stored in your private Google Cloud Firestore account. If you approve Business Shared Care, your approved pet profile and history are uploaded for that company and its authorised staff to provide care.

Owner, care-team and veterinary contact information

Information you choose to enter may also include an optional owner or profile name and email address; a care-team member's name, relationship, phone number and email address; and a chosen veterinary practice or veterinarian's name, phone number, email address and address.

This information is stored locally. It may also be synchronised to your private Google Cloud Firestore account if you enable verified PetCom cloud sync, or leave the device when you deliberately export, back up or share it with a destination you choose.

PetCom account information

If you create a cloud account, PetCom processes your first and last name, email address, password credential, email-verification status and a unique account identifier through Firebase Authentication and Cloud Firestore. Your password is handled by Firebase Authentication; PetCom does not store it in the pet-record database.

Photos and documents

If you choose to add a pet photograph, use the camera, select an image, or import information from a pet passport or other document, PetCom may access your camera or photo library after you grant the relevant device permission.

Selected pet-passport or document images may contain information about the pet and may also contain personal information relating to an owner, keeper, veterinary professional or another person.

If you enable a verified cloud account, selected pet profile, passport and gallery images are uploaded to your private owner-scoped Firebase Storage area for sync across your devices. Images shared through your phone's share sheet are sent to the destination you choose.

You should only import documents that you are authorised to use.

Location information

If you enable location-based features, PetCom may process approximate or precise device location.

Location may be used for features including:

• nearby veterinary practices;
• nearby pet-related services;
• maps;
• weather-related information;
• location-aware emergency information;
• location-aware educational information; and
• other features that depend on the user's current area.

Location access is optional unless a particular feature requires it.

Search information

When you search for places, services, addresses or other location-related information, PetCom may process the search terms and geographic search parameters needed to provide the requested results.

Notifications

If you enable notifications, PetCom may schedule appointment reminders and pet-care alerts and receive business-update notifications through Firebase Cloud Messaging and Apple notification services. Push tokens, installation identifiers and delivery state are linked to your account to route updates to the correct owner and enforce device access. Device settings, permissions and connectivity may delay delivery. Notification permission is controlled through your device operating system.

Device and technical information

PetCom, the operating system and third-party SDKs or services integrated into PetCom may process limited technical information necessary to provide features, maintain security, diagnose errors and measure technical performance.

Depending on the SDK or service, this may include:

• device model and operating-system version;
• application identifier and application version;
• installation or technical identifiers;
• API configuration information;
• performance information;
• feature events;
• map interaction events such as pan and zoom actions;
• internet-protocol (IP) address;
• Google Maps SDK-specific pseudonymous identifiers;
• diagnostic information, including stack traces and crash metrics; and
• error information.

3. How PetCom uses information

PetCom may process information in order to:

• create and display pet profiles;
• create and protect optional PetCom accounts;
• synchronise pet records and selected photos between signed-in devices;
• store pet-care information;
• organise health and care records;
• store and display reminders;
• schedule local notifications;
• display maps;
• locate nearby pet-related services;
• provide weather-related information;
• provide location-aware information;
• process selected pet-passport or document images;
• extract text through optical character recognition;
• open external websites, searches, maps or navigation applications when requested;
• provide purchases or subscription entitlements where offered;
• provide support;
• maintain app security;
• diagnose technical problems;
• maintain compatibility and performance;
• prevent misuse; and
• comply with applicable legal obligations.

PetCom does not use pet-care records or precise location information for advertising profiling.

4. Local storage and optional cloud synchronisation

PetCom is designed so that core pet information is primarily stored locally on the user's device.

This may include pet profiles, care records, reminders and other information entered directly into the app.

You can use the app without a PetCom cloud account. If you choose to create or sign in to a verified account, PetCom uses Google Firebase as a service provider for authentication, synchronisation and recovery across devices:

• Firebase Authentication processes the account email, password credential, verification status and account identifier.
• Cloud Firestore stores account profile information and copies of pet profiles, care and health records, exercise history, passport details, care-team and veterinarian contacts, appointments, prescriptions and saved pet services.
• Firebase Storage stores selected pet profile, passport and gallery images.

PetCom records account-linked registration, installation and push identifiers, synchronisation timestamps, content hashes and deletion markers for access control, delivery and consistency. Personal cloud copies are owner-scoped. Approved Business Shared Care is accessed through permission-checked server functions by the owner and authorised company staff. PetCom uses encrypted network connections; this is not end-to-end encryption because authorised servers process shared care. Cloud Firestore and the photo bucket are configured in London, United Kingdom; Google may also process limited service data in other locations under its applicable terms.

Cloud services run after verified sign-in when the app starts, resumes, refreshes or runs permitted background work. Local records remain available offline; interrupted deliveries can retry. Creating a local record does not by itself upload it unless you enable personal sync or approve sharing; other online features may transmit the information described elsewhere in this policy.

Business Shared Care and your choices

You choose which pet and information to share before pairing with a participating company. The company and its authorised staff can see the approved pet profile, picture and history and send photos, appointments, care reports, medication records and reminders. Care records identify the staff member who saved them. Pairing invitations, permissions, staff attribution and delivery records are stored to route and audit this access.

You can revoke company access in Business Shared Care. Revocation prevents future authorised access and delivery; it does not automatically erase files already exported or saved independently. A business may have lawful duties to retain its own care records; contact it about those copies. Free business sharing is separate from Premium personal backup and multiple-device access. Business licences are separate from customer Premium subscriptions.

5. Pet-passport scanning and Google ML Kit OCR

PetCom may use Google ML Kit text-recognition technology to assist with extracting text from a selected pet-passport or document image.

The image content and recognised text used for ML Kit text recognition are processed on the device. ML Kit does not send the input image, input text or resulting recognised content to Google servers for the purpose of text recognition.

The recognised information is presented for review or correction before it is used within the pet profile where the feature supports review.

Users should always verify automatically recognised information for accuracy.

Although recognition of the image and text occurs on-device, Google ML Kit may communicate limited technical, diagnostic and usage information to Google.

Depending on the ML Kit component and version, this can include information such as:

• device and operating-system information;
• app identifier and app version;
• per-installation technical identifiers;
• performance measurements;
• API configuration information;
• feature-use events; and
• error information.

Google uses this technical information for purposes such as diagnostics, usage analytics, maintenance, performance measurement, improvement of ML Kit and prevention of misuse.

PetCom does not intentionally send the content of your pet-passport image or the text recognised from it to Google through ML Kit's text-recognition processing.

6. Location, Google Maps and Google Places API (New)

PetCom may request location permission when you choose to use location-dependent functionality.

Where supported by your device, you may be able to choose between approximate and precise location.

Providing precise location may improve the accuracy of nearby-service results, but location access remains under your control through your device settings.

PetCom uses or may use Google Maps Platform, including Google Maps SDK and Google Places SDK / Places API (New), to provide maps, place information and nearby pet-service functionality.

When you request nearby places or use another Google Places-powered feature, information required to fulfil that request may be transmitted to Google.

Depending on the feature being used, this may include:

• latitude and longitude;
• a geographic search area;
• search radius;
• place or service categories;
• search terms entered by you;
• location bias or location restrictions;
• language or region information;
• place identifiers;
• session information associated with features such as autocomplete, where used; and
• technical information required to process, secure and operate the request.

Google Places may return information including business names, addresses, geographic coordinates, place categories, opening information, contact details, photographs, ratings or other place information depending on the information requested by PetCom.

Most Google Places requests may involve communication with Google's servers.

The Google Maps SDK may also automatically collect request and device metadata, internet-protocol (IP) address, a Maps SDK-specific pseudonymous identifier, stack traces and crash metrics, and map interaction events such as pan and zoom actions. Google describes this information as being used to operate, maintain and improve Google Maps Platform services. PetCom does not use it for cross-app advertising tracking.

PetCom uses this information to provide the location-based functionality that you requested.

PetCom does not use your location for cross-app advertising tracking.

Google processes information received through Google Maps Platform according to Google's applicable terms, policies and privacy practices.

PetCom displays Google or third-party attribution where required by the Google Maps Platform terms.

7. External maps and navigation

PetCom may allow you to choose an external mapping, search or navigation service.

When you select an external action, PetCom may pass information necessary to perform that action, such as a destination, address, coordinates or search query, to the selected service.

Once an external application or website is opened, its own privacy policy and terms apply.

PetCom does not control the privacy practices of external applications or websites.

8. Weather and other network services

PetCom may use OpenStreetMap's Nominatim service for address or place-name geocoding. Newer Android and iOS builds use Google Weather API as the primary forecast source, with MET Norway as a backup. Older Android builds may use Open-Meteo as the primary source, with MET Norway as a backup; some earlier iOS builds use MET Norway.

In builds using Google Weather, the app sends the selected location coordinates to a PetCom Firebase Cloud Function protected by Firebase App Check. The function forwards coordinates rounded to four decimal places to Google Weather using server-side credentials. Google receives the request from the PetCom server rather than directly from the phone. If Google Weather is unavailable, the phone requests a forecast directly from MET Norway. MET Norway may receive the phone's IP address, rounded coordinates and a PetCom user-agent with our support email.

For manual location searches and older weather builds, PetCom sends the information needed to fulfil the selected request. This may include rounded coordinates, a place name, postcode or another geographic reference. The app identifies the forecast source. Google Weather data carries Google Maps and weather-data attribution; MET Norway data carries source and CC BY 4.0 attribution.

Each provider processes requests under its applicable privacy terms. See Google, OpenStreetMap Foundation, Open-Meteo and MET Norway.

9. Other third-party services and SDKs

Depending on the features you use and the platform on which PetCom is installed, PetCom may use third-party services or software components including:

• Google Maps Platform;
• Google Maps SDK;
• Google Places SDK / Places API (New);
• Google ML Kit;
• OpenStreetMap, Overpass or similar geographic services where used;
• Google Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Storage, Cloud Messaging, App Check and Cloud Functions for enabled account, sharing, notification and cloud services;
• weather and network-information services;
• Apple App Store;
• Google Play;
• operating-system notification services;
• camera and photo-selection services;
• secure-storage functionality;
• local authentication;
• file-selection functionality; and
• device sharing functionality.

Third-party providers may process information necessary to provide their respective services according to their own privacy policies and applicable terms.

Where PetCom shares or makes user information available to a third party through an integrated service or SDK, Leobella Technologies Ltd requires or selects services that provide the same or equivalent protection of user information as described in this Privacy Policy and as required by applicable App Store rules and data-protection law.

We expect third-party processors acting on our behalf to use personal information only for permitted purposes and subject to appropriate security and privacy safeguards.

Some third-party services may act independently under their own terms and privacy policies when you directly request or interact with their services.

10. Purchases and subscriptions

PetCom offers automatically renewing monthly and yearly Premium subscriptions. Google Play processes Android purchases and the Apple App Store processes iPhone purchases. The app shows the applicable local store price before purchase.

PetCom does not receive your complete payment-card number.

PetCom may receive limited purchase or entitlement information necessary to determine whether:

• a purchase succeeded;
• a subscription is active;
• a feature should be unlocked;
• a purchase should be restored; or
• an entitlement has expired.

PetCom verifies purchase status with the relevant app store and stores limited subscription identifiers and expiry information in Firebase to manage Premium features and personal cloud synchronisation. Premium expiry does not remove free Business Shared Care access. Apple and Google process payment information according to their respective privacy policies and terms.

11. Data sharing

PetCom does not sell your personal information.

PetCom does not share personal information with data brokers.

PetCom does not use information collected through the app for cross-app or cross-website advertising tracking.

Information may be transmitted to or processed by a third-party provider where reasonably necessary to:

• provide a feature you requested;
• process maps or nearby-place requests;
• provide weather or other online information;
• perform technical diagnostics;
• process purchases or subscriptions;
• maintain app security;
• prevent fraud, abuse or misuse;
• comply with legal obligations; or
• protect the rights, safety or security of users, Leobella Technologies Ltd or others.

The information sent depends on the feature being used.

12. Permissions

PetCom may request device permissions including:

• precise or approximate location;
• camera;
• photos or photo library;
• notifications; and
• local or biometric authentication where such functionality is provided.

Internet/network access may also be required for online features.

Permissions are requested only when relevant to a feature that requires them.

You can review or change permissions through your device settings.

Disabling a permission may prevent the related feature from functioning.

13. Face ID, Touch ID and local authentication

Where PetCom uses Face ID, Touch ID or another device authentication mechanism, authentication is performed by the operating system.

PetCom does not receive or store your fingerprint, facial template or other underlying biometric template.

PetCom receives only the result needed to determine whether local authentication was successful.

14. Withdrawing consent and changing permissions

You remain in control of optional permissions.

You may withdraw location, camera, photo or notification permissions through the privacy and permission settings provided by iOS or Android.

Withdrawing permission prevents PetCom from using that permission for future actions, although functionality that depends on the permission may stop working.

Where PetCom specifically asks for consent and relies on that consent as the legal basis for processing personal information, you may withdraw that consent at any time.

Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing that occurred before consent was withdrawn.

If information is stored only locally on your device, you can generally manage or delete it directly within PetCom, through your operating-system application controls or by removing the app.

If you have a cloud account, you can choose Delete cloud account in PetCom's account screen. You can also request deletion without the app using our PetCom account-deletion page. For other privacy requests, contact: office@leobellatechnologies.com.

15. Data retention and deletion

Locally stored pet and care information is generally retained until you:

• delete the relevant information through PetCom;
• clear PetCom's stored application data where supported;
• reset the app where such functionality exists; or
• uninstall PetCom.

Deleting or uninstalling PetCom may not automatically remove copies contained in device backups created by Apple, Google or another backup provider.

Those backup systems operate according to your device settings and the provider's policies.

Information processed by third-party services may be retained according to the provider's legitimate operational requirements and applicable privacy policies.

Where Leobella Technologies Ltd directly controls personal information, we retain it only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, maintain security or protect legitimate business interests.

When information is no longer required, we will delete or anonymise it where reasonably practicable and legally appropriate.

You may contact us to request deletion of personal information that Leobella Technologies Ltd controls.

Deleting your PetCom cloud account removes its Firebase Authentication account, associated cloud profile, owned cloud records and images, and its sharing access through the account-cleanup process. Local phone records are not automatically erased, and independently exported or saved copies must be deleted separately. Businesses may retain their independently held care records where legally required. Limited service, security, backup or legal records may be retained where required or permitted by law or Google's applicable terms. See the account-deletion request page for instructions if you no longer have the app.

16. Legal bases for processing

Where UK data-protection law applies to personal information processed by Leobella Technologies Ltd, we process information only where we have an appropriate lawful basis.

Performance of a contract or steps requested by you

We may process information where necessary to provide a service or feature you have requested or to fulfil our obligations associated with providing PetCom.

Consent

Where required, we may rely on your consent for optional processing.

Where consent is our legal basis, you can withdraw it at any time.

Legitimate interests

We may rely on legitimate interests where processing is reasonably necessary for purposes such as:

• operating and maintaining PetCom;
• ensuring app security;
• preventing fraud or abuse;
• diagnosing technical failures;
• responding to support enquiries; and
• improving reliability and performance.

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider whether those interests are outweighed by your rights and interests.

Legal obligations

We may process or retain information where necessary to comply with applicable law, regulatory requirements, legal claims or lawful requests.

The operating-system permission shown by your device is not necessarily the same thing as consent under data-protection law. We determine the lawful basis according to the particular processing activity.

17. Children's privacy

PetCom is a pet-care organisation and information tool.

It is not designed to knowingly collect children's personal information for advertising, behavioural profiling or data-broker purposes.

Parents or guardians should supervise a child's use of PetCom where appropriate.

If Leobella Technologies Ltd becomes aware that personal information relating to a child has been processed in a way that requires parental authorisation and that authorisation has not been obtained, we will take appropriate action consistent with applicable law.

18. Security

Leobella Technologies Ltd takes reasonable technical and organisational measures intended to protect information handled through PetCom.

PetCom is designed to limit unnecessary data transmission. Personal cloud data and photos are protected by verified sign-in and owner-scoped rules. Business Shared Care uses server-checked company membership, owner permissions and staff roles. Local-first use remains available. Platform secure storage protects credentials; Business queues and cache use local encryption. These measures do not make shared care end-to-end encrypted.

However, no mobile device, storage technology, software system or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users should:

• keep their device protected;
• use appropriate device authentication;
• keep their operating system updated;
• protect their Apple or Google account;
• control access to device backups; and
• avoid sharing sensitive information unnecessarily.

19. International processing

Some third-party providers used by PetCom may process information in countries outside the United Kingdom.

Where Leobella Technologies Ltd is responsible for an international transfer of personal information, we use an applicable lawful transfer mechanism and appropriate safeguards as required by UK data-protection law.

Where a third-party service acts independently, its privacy policy explains how it handles international transfers and the safeguards it applies.

20. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live and the circumstances of the processing, you may have rights relating to your personal information.

These can include the right to:

• request access to personal information;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• request deletion;
• request restriction of processing;
• object to certain processing;
• request portability where applicable;
• withdraw consent where processing relies on consent; and
• complain to an applicable data-protection authority.

These rights are subject to applicable legal conditions and exemptions.

For information stored only on your device, you can generally exercise control directly through PetCom and your device settings.

For information controlled by Leobella Technologies Ltd, contact: office@leobellatechnologies.com.

21. Complaints and the UK Information Commissioner's Office

If you have a concern about how Leobella Technologies Ltd handles your personal information, please contact us first so that we have an opportunity to investigate and respond.

If you are located in the United Kingdom, you also have the right to raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data-protection regulator.

Information about exercising your rights and making a complaint is available through the ICO's official website.

Contacting the ICO does not affect any other rights or remedies available to you.

22. App-store privacy disclosures

Leobella Technologies Ltd maintains privacy disclosures for PetCom in the relevant app stores.

These disclosures are intended to reflect both:

• PetCom's own data practices; and
• applicable data practices of third-party SDKs and services integrated into the app.

Because SDKs, operating systems and app functionality can change over time, these disclosures are reviewed and updated when required.

23. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when:

• PetCom functionality changes;
• third-party services change;
• SDK behaviour changes;
• new services are introduced;
• legal requirements change; or
• our data-handling practices change.

Where appropriate, we will update the effective date shown at the top of this policy.

Material changes may also be communicated through PetCom or another appropriate method.

You should periodically review the current version of this Privacy Policy.

24. Contact