Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 5, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how TickBug handles information when you use the iOS app.

Information You Choose to Provide

Photos. TickBug lets you take or choose a photo of a tick, bite, or sting so the app can provide a general information result. When remote recognition is enabled, the photo is sent to the recognition service for processing.

Profiles and journal entries. If you save a result, the app stores profile names, profile type, bite location notes, scan results, dates, symptom-watch windows, notes, and the selected photo on your device.

Region. You can choose a general region so the app can show region-aware tick-borne illness notes. TickBug does not require precise location for its core features.

Support messages. If you contact support, we process the information you choose to send.

How Information Is Stored

Journal entries, profiles, settings, and saved photos are stored locally in the app sandbox on your device. TickBug does not operate user accounts in this version.

Recognition Service

When remote recognition is enabled, TickBug sends the photo, selected subject type, selected region, and app language to a server-side recognition proxy. The proxy is used to call a vision model without placing model API keys in the app. The service is designed to process the request and return a structured result, not to create user profiles or sell photo data.

Notifications

If you save a scan with a symptom-watch window and allow notifications, TickBug schedules local reminders on your device. You can change notification permission in iOS Settings.

Purchases

Premium purchases are processed by Apple through StoreKit. We do not receive or store your payment card number.

Tracking and Advertising

We do not sell personal information and do not use TickBug data to track you across apps or websites owned by other companies for advertising purposes.

Medical and Veterinary Disclaimer

TickBug provides general information only. It is not a medical device, veterinary device, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation. If you are concerned about a bite, rash, fever, illness, or your pet's health, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Children

TickBug is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy when the app changes. The updated date at the top shows the latest version.

Contact

For privacy questions or deletion requests, contact ikorkodinov@gmail.com.