# Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 4, 2026

My Garden Helper ("we", "us", or "our") explains below how information is collected, used, and protected when you use the app.

## Information We Collect

We may collect:
- Account information you provide, such as email and profile choices.
- Garden and gameplay data, such as plants, tasks, XP, rewards, and settings.
- Location data if you allow it, to deliver weather-aware care suggestions.
- Technical information, such as browser type and device-level diagnostics.

## How We Use Information

We use information to:
- Operate core app features and sync your in-app progress.
- Provide weather-based insights and care recommendations.
- Improve reliability, performance, and feature quality.
- Respond to support requests and prevent abuse.

## Legal Basis and Consent

Where required by law, we rely on your consent for optional features such as precise location and notifications. You can withdraw consent through browser or device settings.

Location is optional for weather features. You can enter a city manually instead of granting device location access.

## Data Storage and Retention

- Some app data is stored locally in your browser (for example, garden state and customization).
- Account authentication is handled by Clerk. We do not directly store your account password in this app.
- The app creates local safety snapshots (automatic daily and pre-migration backups) to reduce risk of data loss during updates.
- On shared devices, app gameplay/profile records are segmented by signed-in account to reduce accidental cross-account mixing.
- Account records are generally retained while your account is active and for a limited period afterward to support recovery, abuse prevention, and legal obligations.
- Payment and transaction records are retained as needed for accounting, fraud prevention, and dispute resolution.
- Support and security logs are retained only as long as reasonably needed for operations and incident review.
- You can request deletion of account-linked data by contacting support, subject to legal or security retention requirements.

## Sharing and Third Parties

- We do not sell your personal information.
- We may share limited data with service providers that help us operate core features, including hosting/infrastructure providers, payment processors, and optional analytics providers.
- Weather and geocoding requests may be processed by third-party weather/location providers to deliver location-aware care features.
- Service providers process data under contractual terms and only for the services they provide to us.

## International Transfers

If your data is processed in countries outside your own, we apply reasonable safeguards designed to protect personal data in line with applicable privacy law.

## Children and Age Limits

The app is not intended for children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal data, contact us so we can remove it.

## Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards, including encrypted transport, secure password hashing, and basic login abuse protections (temporary lockout after repeated failed attempts). No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure.

## Your Rights

Depending on your region, you may have rights to access, correct, export, restrict, or delete your personal data.

To exercise rights, contact support with enough information for us to verify your request. Where required by law, we aim to respond within applicable statutory timelines (commonly within 30 days).

## Policy Updates

We may update this policy from time to time. Material updates will be reflected by a new effective date.

## Contact

For privacy questions or requests: support@mygardenhelper.com

Account deletion instructions are available at: /account-deletion.md