1. Overview
BeeKeeper Pro is an iPhone, iPad, and Android application for managing beehives, tracking harvests, logging treatments, and analyzing hive health. We collect the minimum information necessary to deliver app functionality and do not sell, broker, or monetize your personal data.
Your hive records — inspections, harvest logs, queen histories, treatment logs, and financial data — sync through Google Firebase so they remain available to the app. Local preferences are also stored on your device.
2. Camera Permission & Usage
Why We Request Camera Access
BeeKeeper Pro requests access to your device camera solely to enable the AI Hive Analysis feature. This feature allows you to take or upload a photo of a honeycomb frame and receive an AI-powered health assessment — including disease indicators, varroa mite detection, and brood pattern analysis.
What Happens to Camera Images
- Images are processed in real time. When you initiate an AI scan, the image is temporarily sent to Google's Gemini API for analysis. The image is transmitted over an encrypted connection (HTTPS/TLS).
- We do not store your images on our servers. BeeKeeper Pro does not operate its own image storage infrastructure. Images are not retained by us after the analysis response is returned.
- Google Gemini API data handling. Images sent for AI analysis are processed by Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash model through Firebase AI Logic. Google's privacy and data-governance terms apply to that processing. See Firebase AI Logic data governance and Google's Privacy Policy for details.
- Offline fallback. If your device has no internet connection when you request an AI scan, the feature will notify you that a connection is required. No image data is queued or stored for later transmission.
- You control when to scan. The camera is never accessed passively or in the background. After you take or select a photo, the app identifies Google Gemini as the recipient and asks you to approve sending that photo before every cloud analysis. Choosing Cancel prevents the photo from being sent.
- Images are not linked to your identity. The image transmitted to the AI contains only pixel data. No name, email address, account ID, or location data is attached to the image payload.
Revoking Camera Permission
You may revoke camera access at any time through your iOS, iPadOS, or Android privacy settings. Revoking camera access disables only camera-based AI analysis. All other app features continue to work without camera access.
Photo Library / Storage Access
BeeKeeper Pro may request access to your device storage to allow you to select an existing photo from your gallery for AI analysis, rather than taking a new photo. This permission is optional. We do not scan, index, or access any photos beyond the single image you explicitly select for analysis.
3. Information We Collect
Account Information
BeeKeeper Pro automatically creates an anonymous Firebase Authentication account. The app receives:
- A randomly generated Firebase user identifier (UID)
- No name, email address, phone number, password, or profile photo
This identifier is used solely to keep your records separated from other users' records. We do not use it for marketing or advertising.
Hive & Apiary Data
Hive records you create — inspections, harvests, treatments, queen logs, swarm events, weight entries, expenses, and task reminders — are stored in Firebase Firestore under your anonymous UID. Data is encrypted in transit. You may also:
- Use the Export feature to create a PDF or CSV file that you then choose to share
- Delete your cloud records and anonymous account from the app's Settings screen
Usage & Crash Data
The current app does not include advertising or cross-app tracking. Apple, Google Play, and the operating system may provide aggregated store or diagnostic information under their own privacy terms.
4. Information We Do NOT Collect
To be explicit about our commitments:
- We do not collect precise GPS location data
- We do not sell your data to advertisers or data brokers
- We do not serve ads in the app
- We do not access your camera in the background
- We do not store hive analysis images on our servers
- We do not read your contacts, messages, or other apps
- We do not track your behavior across other apps or websites
5. Account & Authentication Data
Authentication is handled by Firebase Authentication (Google LLC) using an anonymous account. BeeKeeper Pro does not ask for or store a password, email address, or social sign-in credential.
You can delete your anonymous account and associated Firebase records at any time from Settings → Delete My Data & Account. You may also contact us using the address in Section 13.
6. AI Analysis & Third-Party Services
The AI Hive Analysis feature uses Google Gemini 2.5 Flash through Firebase AI Logic. When you submit a frame photo for analysis:
- The image is sent from your device to Google's Gemini API endpoint over HTTPS
- Gemini analyzes the image and returns a structured health assessment
- The result is displayed in the app and saved locally to your device
- BeeKeeper Pro does not retain the image on its own servers; Google's disclosed data-governance and privacy terms apply while Google processes the request
Third-party services used by BeeKeeper Pro:
| Service | Provider | Purpose | Data Shared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firebase Authentication | Google LLC | User sign-in & identity | Email, display name, UID |
| Firebase Firestore | Google LLC | Account pairing sync | Account UIDs only (paired accounts) |
| Firebase AI Logic / Gemini 2.5 Flash | Google LLC | AI hive frame analysis | Frame photo (temporary, not stored) |
| Open-Meteo | Open-Meteo.com | Weather & inspection score | Latitude/longitude (default: Malvern, AR) |
| App Store / Google Play Billing | Apple Inc. / Google LLC | Subscription management | Purchase transactions handled by the applicable store |
Each of these services is governed by Google's Privacy Policy (policies.google.com/privacy) or Open-Meteo's terms as applicable.
7. Data Storage & Offline Use
BeeKeeper Pro stores hive data — inspections, queens, treatments, harvests, reminders, weight logs, and financial records — in Firebase Firestore. This data:
- Is separated under the app's anonymous Firebase user identifier
- Is encrypted in transit
- May be cached locally by Firebase for performance and limited offline use
- Can be deleted from the app's Settings screen
User preferences such as theme, ZIP code, and display settings are stored locally on your device.
8. Data Sharing & Account Pairing
We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise share your personal information with third parties for their own use.
Firebase Sync
Your records are stored under the anonymous Firebase UID created for your installation. We do not make those records public or use them for advertising.
Exports You Choose to Share
When you export a PDF inspection report or CSV financial summary and choose to share it (via email, messaging apps, etc.), that data leaves the app under your control. BeeKeeper Pro has no visibility into where you send exported files.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or government request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of BeeKeeper Pro, our users, or the public.
9. Children's Privacy
BeeKeeper Pro is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
10. Your Rights & Choices
Access & Deletion
You may delete your anonymous account and associated Firebase records in the app at any time. You may also request assistance by contacting us at the address in Section 13.
Permissions You Can Revoke
| Permission | Used For | Impact if Revoked |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | AI Hive Analysis — taking frame photos | AI scan disabled; all other features unaffected |
| Storage / Photos | Selecting existing photos for AI analysis; saving PDF exports | Gallery-based AI scans and PDF saves disabled; all other features unaffected |
| Internet | Firebase sync, AI analysis, weather score | Online features and cloud synchronization are unavailable |
| Notifications | Task reminders and treatment window alerts | Push notifications disabled; reminders still visible inside the app |
Permissions can be managed in the system Settings app on iPhone, iPad, or Android.
11. Security
We take reasonable technical measures to protect your information:
- All data transmitted between the app and Google services uses HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Firebase Authentication uses industry-standard OAuth 2.0 and token-based access
- Local app data is protected by the operating system's app sandbox
- Private service credentials are not embedded in the distributed app
No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, notify you through the app. Your continued use of BeeKeeper Pro after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. The current version will always be available at beekeepers.pro/privacy.html.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to request data deletion, or have a privacy concern, please contact us:
We will respond to privacy requests within 30 days.