Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 9, 2026

AquaLog ("the app," "we," "us") is a dive logging and freediving training app. We designed it to be local-first: your logbook and profile live on your device, not in an AquaLog account or cloud database. This policy explains the information processed by AquaLog and by service providers when you choose to use optional online features.

Privacy at a glance

• AquaLog does not require an account.
• Your logbook, profile, gallery, and training history are stored on your device.
• AquaLog does not use advertising, analytics, or cross-app tracking SDKs.
• Optional AI identification, location search, species search, purchases, and support use online service providers as described below.

Data stored on your device only

Your dives, dive locations, species sightings, saved photos, wishlist, breath-training sessions, usage counters, preferences, and profile are stored locally on your device. AquaLog does not upload or sync this information to an AquaLog account or database.

You can delete individual records in the app. Deleting AquaLog from your device removes its locally stored data, subject to any device backup you control. Apple may include app data in iCloud Backup or a computer backup according to your device settings and Apple's policies.

Optional online features and service providers

AquaLog sends information off your device only when needed for an online feature you choose to use. The providers involved may automatically receive technical request information such as an IP address, request time, and device or network information needed to operate, secure, and troubleshoot their services.

• AI species identification: After you choose or take a photo, AquaLog creates a resized JPEG containing only the rendered image pixels, which removes source metadata such as EXIF and embedded GPS coordinates. AquaLog then displays a disclosure naming the service providers and requires you to tap Continue & Identify before anything is uploaded. If you continue, AquaLog sends that prepared photo to an AquaLog endpoint hosted by Vercel, which forwards it to OpenAI and returns an identification result. AquaLog does not intentionally save the submitted photo or result in an application database or application logs on that endpoint. Under OpenAI's standard API data controls, submitted customer content may be retained in abuse-monitoring logs for up to 30 days, unless a longer period is required by law or reasonably necessary to protect OpenAI's services or third parties. Images flagged for potential illegal content may be retained for manual review. See OpenAI's API data controls and Vercel's privacy policy. If you save the result, the prepared photo and result are then stored locally in AquaLog.
• Location search and maps: AquaLog uses Apple MapKit for place search and maps. When you type a dive location, the search text is sent to Apple to return matching places. MapKit may also communicate with Apple to load map content and provide Apple map services under Apple's privacy policy. AquaLog does not use Photon or the public OpenStreetMap Nominatim service.
• Species wishlist search: The species name you search for is sent to the iNaturalist public API to return matching names and taxonomic information. AquaLog does not display iNaturalist user photographs. See iNaturalist's privacy policy.
• Purchases: Subscriptions and the lifetime purchase are processed by Apple through In-App Purchase. AquaLog reads your entitlement status on your device but does not receive or store your payment-card or bank details. Apple's handling of purchase information is governed by Apple's privacy policy.

Your device location

AquaLog can use your device's location, but only when you ask it to. While logging a dive, tapping Use current location asks for "while using the app" permission and takes a single reading to place that dive's map pin.

That coordinate is saved with your dive on your device. AquaLog does not send it to an AquaLog server or to iNaturalist. Apple MapKit may process the map region needed to display map content and location-search results. AquaLog never tracks your location in the background and never requests "always" access.

You can decline the permission and keep using the app normally — you can still place a pin by searching for a dive site by name or by dragging the map. If you change your mind either way, you can grant or revoke access in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → AquaLog.

Support communications

If you email AquaLog support, we receive your email address and the information you include in your message. We use it to respond, investigate issues, prevent abuse, and meet legal obligations. Support messages are retained only as long as reasonably necessary for those purposes, then deleted when no longer needed.

How information is used

• To provide the feature you request, such as identifying a species or finding a place.
• To operate, secure, troubleshoot, and prevent misuse of the online services.
• To answer support requests and comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell personal information, use it for targeted advertising, or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. AquaLog does not use third-party tracking SDKs.

Retention and deletion

• On-device data remains until you delete it in AquaLog or delete the app, subject to backups you control.
• AI submissions are not intentionally persisted by AquaLog's application endpoint. OpenAI's standard abuse-monitoring retention is described above.
• Search requests and technical request data are retained, if at all, according to the relevant provider's policy linked above.
• Support email is retained only as long as reasonably necessary to handle the request and related legal or security needs.

Your choices and consent

You decide each time whether to use AI identification. Choosing or taking a photo does not upload it by itself. AquaLog first displays a disclosure naming Vercel and OpenAI; the photo is sent only if you tap Continue & Identify. You can tap Cancel and continue using AquaLog's other features. To withdraw consent for future AI processing, do not submit additional photos.

You can revoke camera, photo, or location permissions at any time in iOS Settings. You can delete local records in AquaLog or delete the app. Because AquaLog has no accounts and does not attach an AquaLog user ID to AI or search requests, we generally cannot identify, retrieve, or delete a past provider request on your behalf. You may contact us with a privacy question or request, and we will respond as required by applicable law.

Security

AquaLog uses HTTPS when communicating with online services. No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, but we limit transmitted information to what is needed for the requested feature and do not operate a server-side account database for the iOS app.

Children

AquaLog is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through an online feature or support request, contact us so we can review the request.

Changes

We may update this policy as AquaLog or its service providers change. We will update the date above when the policy changes. Material changes will be communicated in the app or through another appropriate notice when required.

Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact [email protected].