Privacy Policy for Cartoonify

Effective Date: April 1, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Cartoonify! This Privacy Policy explains how SURGYTECH INC ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information in relation to our mobile application Cartoonify (the "App"). Please read this policy carefully.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

• Usage Data: We automatically collect anonymous information about how you access and use the App to help us improve performance and user experience. This may include:
  • Device type and operating system version (e.g., iPhone 14, iOS 16.5).
  • Anonymized device identifiers.
  • Crash logs and performance data (e.g., processing time for effects).
  • Feature usage patterns (e.g., which cartoon effects are most popular, frequency of use).
  • General interaction data within the App (e.g., button taps, screen views).
  We use this data for analytics via Firebase services (Analytics and Crashlytics) to understand usage trends, improve app stability, and fix bugs. This data is aggregated and does not personally identify you.
• Personal Information (Only When You Contact Us): We do not require you to create an account or provide personal information to use the core features of the App. The only personal information we might collect is:
  • If you contact our support team via email (at support@surgytech.xyz): We will collect your email address and any information you voluntarily provide in your communication (like your name, if you include it) solely to respond to your inquiry and provide assistance.
• Information from Third Parties: We do not collect personal information about you from third-party sources.
• Image Data: When you upload an image to the Cartoonify app, the image is temporarily transmitted to our servers for processing. After the cartoonification process is complete, the processed image is sent back to your device, and the original and processed images are immediately deleted from our servers. We do not store your images permanently.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect solely for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and maintain the core functionality of the App (i.e., cartoonifying images on our servers).
• To improve, personalize (based on usage trends, not PII), and expand the App's features and content using aggregated Usage Data.
• To understand and analyze how users interact with the App through aggregated Usage Data and Analytics.
• To develop new features and improve functionality based on Usage Data.
• To communicate with you for customer service or support when you contact us.
• To detect and prevent fraud, address security issues, and troubleshoot bugs using Usage Data and Crashlytics.
• To comply with legal obligations, if necessary.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We do not permanently share your images. We only share information in the following limited circumstances:

• With Service Providers (for Analytics/Crash Reporting): We share the anonymous Usage Data with Google's Firebase platform (Analytics and Crashlytics) to help us analyze app usage and stability. Firebase's use of data is governed by their privacy policy (linked below). They do not receive your images or personal contact information from us through this process.
• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose your information (primarily support communication records, if relevant) if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or subpoena), or to protect the rights, property, or safety of SurgyTech, our users, or the public, as required or permitted by law.
• Business Transfers: If SurgyTech is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, aggregated Usage Data and support communication records might be transferred as part of that transaction. We would provide notice (e.g., via an update to this policy) if your information becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

We do not share data with advertising partners as the app does not contain third-party ads.

5. Data Storage and Security

Your original and cartoonified images are temporarily stored on our servers for the duration of the cartoonification process. After the process is completed, all images are immediately and permanently deleted from our servers.

Anonymous Usage Data collected via Firebase is stored and processed by Google according to their security practices. Support emails are stored securely within our email system (support@surgytech.xyz).

We implement reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the limited information we handle (support emails, aggregated analytics). However, no electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure.

Our service providers (like Google Firebase) may store and process Usage Data in the United States or other countries. By using the App, you acknowledge that this anonymous data may be transferred outside your country of residence.

6. Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer period is required by law.

• Image Data: We do not permanently retain your images. They are deleted immediately after processing.
• Usage Data: Aggregated and anonymized Usage Data collected via Firebase may be retained for up to 26 months (standard Firebase retention settings, which may vary) for analytical purposes to understand long-term trends.
• Support Communications: Emails sent to support@surgytech.xyz may be retained for up to 2 years to maintain a record of support interactions and improve our support process, unless deletion is requested earlier where feasible.

When we have no ongoing legitimate business need to process information (like old support emails), we will take reasonable steps to delete or anonymize it.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location (e.g., states like California under CCPA/CPRA), you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. Since we collect very limited personal information (only support emails if you contact us), these rights primarily apply in that context:

• Access: You can request information about the support data we may hold relating to your email address.
• Deletion: You can request the deletion of support emails associated with your email address, subject to any legal retention requirements.

Regarding Usage Data collected via Firebase, this data is anonymous or pseudonymized and not directly linked to you in a way that allows us to easily access or delete specific records based on a user request.

To exercise rights related to your support communications, please contact us at support@surgytech.xyz. We will respond to your request consistent with applicable law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our App is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information (e.g., by emailing support), please contact us at support@surgytech.xyz.

9. Links to Other Websites / Third-Party Services

The App itself does not link out to third-party websites. However, this Privacy Policy links to the policies of our service providers. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

Key third-party service we use:

• Firebase (Analytics, Crashlytics): https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time (e.g., if app features change or legal requirements evolve). We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the App or on the webpage where this policy is hosted, and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• By email: support@surgytech.xyz