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TickSweep Privacy Policy
Last Updated: August 16, 2026
Effective Date: August 16, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how TickSweep.com ("TickSweep," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects your information when you use the TickSweep mobile application (iOS and Android), website, and related services (collectively, the "Service" or "App"). This policy applies to all users of the Service.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), and other applicable U.S. state privacy laws.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: When you create a TickSweep account, we collect your name, email address, and a password. For Pro subscriptions, we also collect subscription and payment status information.
- Tick Sighting Reports: When you report a tick sighting, we collect the GPS location coordinates of the sighting, any photos you upload (including photos of ticks submitted for AI species identification), and any metadata you provide (tick species, host type, body zone, date of sighting, and notes).
- Newsletter Subscriptions: When you sign up for our newsletter, we collect your email address.
- Customer Support Communications: If you contact us, we may collect the content of your communications and contact details.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device and Usage Information: We collect device type, operating system version, app version, unique device identifiers, IP address, and general usage analytics (e.g., features used, time spent, interactions within the App).
- Camera and Microphone Data: During guided tick checks, the App accesses your device camera for real-time AI scanning and your microphone for voice-guided navigation. Camera feed data used for real-time AI tick detection is processed in real time and is not stored unless you choose to save or upload a photo. Microphone input is used solely for voice command processing during the guided check and is not retained.
- Location Data: When you submit a tick sighting report, we collect precise GPS coordinates from your device. We also may collect approximate location to improve the heat map experience.
1.3 Information Collected by Third Parties
- Payment Information: Pro subscriptions are processed through our third-party payment provider, TickSweep Payment Provider. We do not store your full credit card or payment card numbers. The payment provider collects and processes billing details (name, address, payment method) in accordance with its own privacy policy, available at the payment provider's website.
- Analytics and Crash Reporting: We may use third-party analytics and crash-reporting services (e.g., our analytics provider) that collect device and usage data. See Section 6 for details.
1.4 Data Synced to External Services
In certain operational flows, your data (e.g., tick sighting reports, species data, and associated metadata) may be synced to Google Sheets or similar backend storage systems for internal data management and quality assurance.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Data Used | Legal Basis (GDPR) | |---|---|---| | Providing guided tick checks, AI scanning, and AI species identification | Camera data, uploaded photos | Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) | | Operating the tick sighting heat map and community features | GPS coordinates, sighting data, photos | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) / Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) | | Processing Pro subscriptions and managing usage limits | Account info, subscription status, payment status | Performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) | | Sending newsletters and product updates (where you have opted in) | Email address | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) | | Improving our AI models, features, and educational content | Anonymized usage data, photo data | Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) / Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) | | Responding to customer support requests | Communications, account info | Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) | | Compliance with legal obligations | As required | Legal obligation (Art. 6(1)(c)) | | Licensing or sharing aggregated, de-identified tick surveillance data with third parties (e.g., universities, public health agencies) | Aggregated/de-identified sighting data (see Section 5) | Consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) / Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f)) |
3. AI Processing and Your Photos
3.1 Real-Time Camera AI Scanning
When you use the real-time AI camera scanning feature during a guided tick check, the App processes the live camera feed to detect the presence of ticks. This processing occurs in real time. The live video feed is not stored on our servers unless you explicitly choose to capture or upload a photo.
3.2 AI Species Identification from Uploaded Photos
When you upload a photo of a tick for AI species identification, the photo is transmitted to our servers (or those of our AI/vision model provider) for processing. The photo and the resulting identification output (species, confidence level) may be retained to improve our AI model, unless you request deletion. Uploaded tick photos do not contain facial recognition or biometric face-scan data and are not used for facial recognition purposes.
3.3 AI Limitations
AI species identification is probabilistic and may produce incorrect results. It is not a substitute for professional medical or veterinary identification. See our Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer for details.
4. Location Data and the Public Heat Map
When you submit a tick sighting report, the App collects your device's GPS coordinates at the time of the report. These coordinates are displayed on a public heat map visible to other TickSweep users and visitors. The heat map shows approximate sighting locations and does not display your name or personal identity.
Important: Because sighting locations are displayed publicly, please do not submit reports from sensitive locations (e.g., your home address) if you do not wish that location to appear on the heat map. You may offset or approximate the location before submitting if your device or the App provides that option.
5. Data Licensing and Sharing of Tick Surveillance Data
We may license, share, or sell aggregated and de-identified tick surveillance data (e.g., species distribution, geographic trends, host data, seasonal patterns) derived from community tick sighting reports to third-party organizations, including universities, research institutions, public health agencies, and commercial entities.
5.1 What We Share
- Aggregated counts and statistics (e.g., number of tick sightings by region, species, month).
- De-identified data sets from which personally identifiable information has been removed.
- We do not share your name, email address, or precise individual location tied to your identity.
5.2 Your Choices (Sale/Sharing Opt-Out)
- California Residents (CCPA/CPRA): You have the right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information. Because we share de-identified data, we do not consider this a "sale" of personal information under the CCPA. However, to the extent any data we share is deemed personal information, you may opt out by emailing unsubscribe@ticksweep.com.
- Other U.S. State Residents: Residents of states with applicable privacy laws (e.g., Texas TDPSA, Oregon OCPA, Montana CDPA, and others) may also opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data using the same method.
- EU/UK Residents (GDPR): You may withdraw your consent for data processing related to tick surveillance data sharing at any time by emailing unsubscribe@ticksweep.com.
5.3 De-Identification Standard
Data is de-identified in accordance with accepted statistical and technical standards, such that it cannot reasonably be used to infer information about, or otherwise be linked to, a particular individual or device.
6. Third-Party Services and Links
The App integrates with or links to the following categories of third-party services:
- Payment Provider: TickSweep Payment Provider — processes subscription payments. the provider's website
- AI/Vision Model Provider: our AI/vision model provider — processes uploaded tick photos for species identification. the provider's website
- Google Sheets / Backend Services: Data storage for certain operational flows. https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Analytics Services: our analytics provider — usage and crash analytics. the provider's website
- Affiliate Partners: The App contains affiliate links to third-party products and services. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details. Affiliate partners may set their own cookies; see Section 7 (Cookies).
- Maps Provider: our maps provider — powers the heat map visualization.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website and App may use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to:
- Remember your login session.
- Analyze how the Service is used.
- Serve relevant content and affiliate offers.
- Enable third-party services (e.g., payment processing, analytics).
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect functionality. Mobile apps may use SDK-based tracking instead of cookies; you can manage tracking preferences through your device's privacy settings (e.g., iOS App Tracking Transparency, Android privacy controls).
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. Specific retention periods:
| Data Type | Retention Period | |---|---| | Account information | Until account deletion is requested | | Uploaded tick photos | 12 months from upload, or until deletion requested | | Tick sighting reports and GPS data | Retained until account deletion; aggregated/de-identified data may be retained indefinitely | | Newsletter email addresses | Until you unsubscribe | | Payment/subscription records | Retained until account deletion, or as required for tax/accounting compliance | | Device and usage analytics | Until account deletion | | Customer support communications | Until account deletion |
You may request earlier deletion of your data subject to legal retention obligations (see Section 9).
9. Your Privacy Rights
9.1 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, you have the following rights:
- Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
- Right to Opt Out of Sale/Sharing: Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information (see Section 5.2).
- Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Data: Limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information.
- Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise these rights without receiving discriminatory treatment.
Authorized Agent: You may designate an authorized agent to submit requests on your behalf. We may require verification of the agent's authority.
9.2 EU/UK Residents (GDPR/UK GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, you have:
- Right of Access: Access your personal data.
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to Erasure ("Right to Be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your personal data.
- Right to Restrict Processing: Restrict our processing of your data.
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
9.3 Other U.S. State Residents
Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws (e.g., Texas, Oregon, Montana, Delaware, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and others as they take effect) may have similar rights including access, deletion, correction, opt-out of targeted advertising, and opt-out of profiling. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in Section 13.
9.4 How to Submit a Request
Submit privacy rights requests by:
- Email: support@ticksweep.com
- In-app: Settings > Privacy > Manage My Data
- Mail: TickSweep.com, TickSweep.com, Ohio, USA, Attn: Privacy Officer
We will respond to verified requests within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).
10. Children's Privacy
The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the equivalent age in your jurisdiction). 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 at support@ticksweep.com, and we will take steps to delete such information.
The Service is designed for use by adults and, under adult supervision, by families conducting tick checks on themselves, their children, or their pets. If the App is used by a parent or guardian on behalf of a minor, the parent or guardian is responsible for the minor's use of the Service.
11. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information, including encryption in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by applicable law (e.g., under GDPR Art. 33–34, and applicable U.S. state breach notification laws).
12. International Data Transfers
Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States. Where required by law (e.g., GDPR Chapter V), we will ensure such transfers are conducted using appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, or other legally recognized transfer mechanisms.
13. Contact Information
Data Controller / Data Processor: TickSweep.com TickSweep.com, Ohio, USA Email: support@ticksweep.com Phone: N/A
EU/UK Representative (if applicable): TickSweep.com TickSweep.com, Ohio, USA Email: support@ticksweep.com
14. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or via email. Continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
15. California "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information"
TickSweep does not sell your personal information in the traditional sense. We may share aggregated, de-identified data with third parties (see Section 5). If you wish to opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information, please use emailing unsubscribe@ticksweep.com].
This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with the requirements of the GDPR (Arts. 13–14), the CCPA/CPRA (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100 et seq.), and other applicable U.S. state privacy laws. If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.