PetBuddy
🔒 Privacy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 7, 2026 · Effective immediately
The short version. We built PetBuddy to help you take care of your pet, not to monetize your data. We collect what's needed to deliver the AI bot, scanners, and records features — and nothing more. We never sell personal information. You can delete your account and your data at any time. Questions? Email hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com.

1. Who we are

PetBuddy ("PetBuddy", "we", "us") is operated by HR DEVELOPMENT LLC, a limited liability company registered at [REGISTERED ADDRESS]. For all privacy questions, you can reach us at hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

2. Data we collect

We collect only what we need to provide and improve the app. Specifically:

You give us

  • Account information. If you create an account, your email address and a unique account identifier.
  • Pet profile. Optional information about your pet such as name, species (cat or dog), breed, age, weight, and any sensitivities or conditions you choose to enter.
  • Photos and descriptions. Images and text you submit to the AI bot, the Toy Scanner, or the Food Scanner.
  • Medical records you upload. Documents, prescriptions, vaccination notes, and other health records you choose to store.
  • Communications. Messages you send us when you contact support.

Collected automatically

  • Device data. Device type, operating system version, app version, language, time zone, and a non-permanent installation identifier.
  • Usage data. Which features you use and basic interaction events (e.g., "scanned a toy", "saved a record"), used in aggregate to improve the app.
  • Diagnostics. Crash logs and performance data.
  • Purchase data. If you subscribe, the App Store provides us a confirmation that the purchase was made and its tier. We do not receive your credit card or banking details.

From third parties

  • App Store. Receipts and subscription status from Apple to verify entitlements.
  • Analytics & advertising platforms. Aggregated, anonymized attribution information from Meta (Instagram and Facebook) and similar advertising platforms, only if you have opted in to tracking under iOS App Tracking Transparency.

3. How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide the core features — AI bot triage, Toy Scanner, Food Scanner, stress-relief audio, medical records storage.
  • Personalize results to your pet's species, breed, and age where you've provided that information.
  • Maintain a history of past interactions so you can review them and share them with your veterinarian.
  • Communicate with you about your account, support requests, and important updates.
  • Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security issues.
  • Measure and improve the app, including running aggregate analytics on which features are useful.
  • Comply with applicable laws.

The legal bases under GDPR and similar laws are: performance of our contract with you (to deliver the app), our legitimate interests (to keep the app safe and improve it), your consent (where required, e.g., for advertising tracking), and legal obligations.

4. AI processing & photos

The AI bot, Toy Scanner, and Food Scanner process the photos and text you submit using a combination of in-app and third-party AI models. Specifically:

  • What we send. Your photo or description, plus relevant context from your pet profile (e.g., species, breed) so the AI can tailor the response.
  • What we don't send. We do not send your name, email, payment data, or other identifiers to AI providers along with your photos.
  • Model training. We do not permit our AI providers to use your photos or messages to train their models.
  • Storage. By default, photos and AI responses are stored in your pet's history inside the app so you and your vet can review them. You can delete any item at any time.
Important: the AI bot speculates and triages — it tells you how urgent something looks and whether to see a vet. It does not diagnose. PetBuddy is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

5. Sharing & third parties

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with the following categories of recipients, and only as needed:

  • Cloud hosting and storage providers. To run the app and store your pet records securely.
  • AI providers. To process the photos and descriptions you submit, under contractual restrictions that prohibit them from using your data to train their models.
  • Analytics providers. To understand how the app is used in aggregate. Where possible we use privacy-preserving SDKs.
  • Advertising platforms. If you have opted in to Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt, we may share a hashed device identifier (IDFA) and aggregated event data — such as install, subscription start, and trial conversion — with Meta (Instagram and Facebook) and similar networks to measure ad effectiveness. If you decline the ATT prompt, no IDFA or cross-app/website tracking takes place. You can change your choice anytime in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking, or Settings → PetBuddy → Allow Tracking.
  • Apple. For App Store purchases and subscription handling.
  • Customer support tools. To respond to your questions.
  • Authorities. When required by law or to protect rights, safety, or property.
  • A successor entity. If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale, your data may transfer; we will notify you and this policy will continue to apply.

6. Retention & deletion

We keep your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to deliver the app, and then for a short period afterwards to satisfy legal obligations. Specifically:

  • Photos, AI responses, and pet records are retained until you delete them or close your account.
  • Account information is deleted within 30 days of your account closure request.
  • Aggregated, anonymized usage data may be retained indefinitely.
  • Backups are rotated regularly and any deleted information is removed from backups within 90 days.

To delete your account or specific records, use the in-app controls or email us at hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com.

7. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you have some or all of the following rights:

  • Access. Get a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
  • Correction. Fix anything inaccurate.
  • Deletion. Have your data erased.
  • Restriction or objection. Limit or object to certain processing.
  • Portability. Get your data in a portable format.
  • Withdraw consent. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.
  • California residents (CCPA/CPRA). The right to know, delete, correct, limit use of sensitive personal information, and opt out of "sharing" or "selling". We do not sell or share your personal information as those terms are defined under the CCPA. We have not done so in the preceding 12 months. You may still submit a request at hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com with the subject "Do Not Sell or Share". Notice at Collection: the categories of personal information we collect are listed in section 2; the purposes are in section 3; we retain it as described in section 6.
  • EEA / UK residents (GDPR). The right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

To exercise any right, email hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com. We will respond within the time required by applicable law.

8. Children

PetBuddy is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA/UK), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Security

We use industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your data — encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, audited logging, and regular security reviews. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

If we become aware of a security breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you and applicable regulators without undue delay and in line with the timeframes required by law (for example, within 72 hours for GDPR-covered breaches, and as soon as practicable under applicable U.S. state laws).

10. International data transfers

We are based in [REGISTERED COUNTRY] and our service providers may process data in other countries, including the United States. Where required, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or other lawful transfer mechanisms to protect your data when it crosses borders.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we'll change the "Last updated" date and, for material changes, give you in-app or email notice before the change takes effect.

12. Contact

For any privacy question or to exercise a right, email us at hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com. Postal mail can be sent to:

HR DEVELOPMENT LLC
[REGISTERED ADDRESS]

13. Terms of Use

By downloading or using PetBuddy you agree to these terms. If you don't, please don't use the app.

Triage, not diagnosis

PetBuddy is a triage and information tool. It speculates about urgency and care; it does not provide a veterinary diagnosis or prescribe treatment. If your pet is in distress, contact a licensed veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic immediately.

License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use PetBuddy for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to these terms.

Acceptable use

  • Don't use the app to harm or deceive anyone.
  • Don't reverse-engineer, scrape, or attempt to extract our models or data.
  • Don't upload content that is illegal, infringing, or that you don't have the right to share.

Subscriptions

Premium subscriptions are sold through the App Store. Pricing, billing, and renewal are handled by Apple. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Refunds are subject to Apple's policies.

Disclaimers

The app is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HR DEVELOPMENT LLC and its affiliates will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, revenue, or profits arising out of your use of the app. Our total liability for any claim relating to the app is limited to the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim, or USD $50, whichever is greater.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of [GOVERNING JURISDICTION], without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Arbitration & class-action waiver (U.S. users)

If you are a resident of the United States, you and HR DEVELOPMENT LLC agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to PetBuddy or these terms will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court — except that either party may bring an individual claim in small-claims court. You and we waive any right to participate in a class action, class arbitration, or representative proceeding. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by emailing hrdevelopment.apps@gmail.com within 30 days of first accepting these terms; opting out will not affect any other part of these terms. If any portion of this section is found unenforceable, the remainder will remain in effect, except that the class-action waiver is non-severable — if it is held unenforceable, the entire arbitration agreement is void.

For users outside the United States, disputes will be resolved in the courts of [GOVERNING JURISDICTION], unless your local consumer law provides otherwise.

Changes to terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the app after changes take effect means you accept them.