MeowNow Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 29, 2025

Overview

MeowNow is a cat image sharing app that allows users to view, upload, and vote on cat images. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Images: Cat photos and GIFs you choose to upload
• Votes: Your likes/dislikes on images
• Device Information: iOS device type and version for compatibility

Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: App interactions for improving user experience
• Technical Data: Crash logs and performance metrics through iOS analytics
• Anonymous Analytics: App usage patterns (no personal identification)

AI Breed Detection (Optional Feature)

• Image Analysis: When enabled, cat images are analyzed locally on your device using Apple Intelligence
• No Cloud Processing: Breed detection happens entirely on-device; images are not sent to external servers for AI analysis
• Entertainment Only: AI breed identification is for entertainment purposes and may not be accurate

How We Use Your Information

• Image Sharing: Display your uploaded images to other users
• Leaderboards: Show anonymous upload statistics and voting results
• AI Breed Detection: Analyze cat images locally on your device to identify breeds (opt-in feature)
• App Improvement: Analyze usage to enhance features and performance
• Technical Support: Debug issues and improve app stability

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Union and United Kingdom, we process your data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: When you upload images or enable AI breed detection features (you can withdraw consent at any time by deleting your content or disabling features)
• Legitimate Interest: For app improvement, technical support, and security (we balance our interests against your privacy rights)
• Contract Performance: To provide the core app functionality you've requested

Data Storage and Security

• Cloud Storage: Images stored securely on AWS S3 servers
• Encryption: All data transmitted using industry-standard encryption
• Local Storage: Temporary image caching on your device for performance
• On-Device AI: Breed detection processing happens entirely on your device using Apple Intelligence
• No Personal Data: We don't collect names, emails, or contact information

Data Protection Impact Assessment

We have conducted internal privacy assessments to ensure our data processing activities are proportionate and minimize privacy risks. Our assessment confirms:

• Low Privacy Risk: We collect minimal personal data (primarily user-generated cat images and anonymous usage data)
• Appropriate Safeguards: Encryption, access controls, and secure infrastructure (AWS) protect your data
• No High-Risk Processing: We do not engage in systematic profiling, large-scale sensitive data processing, or surveillance activities
• Regular Reviews: We periodically review our data practices to ensure continued compliance with privacy regulations

Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal data, we are committed to:

• Timely Notification: Notify relevant supervisory authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach (as required by GDPR)
• User Communication: Inform affected users without undue delay if the breach poses a high risk to their rights and freedoms
• Breach Details: Provide information about the nature of the breach, likely consequences, and measures taken to mitigate harm
• Preventive Measures: We maintain security protocols and regularly review our systems to prevent unauthorized access

Data Retention

We retain your data for the following periods:

• Uploaded Images: Stored indefinitely until you delete them through the app
• Voting Data: Retained for the lifetime of the associated image
• Device and Usage Data: Retained for up to 24 months for analytics and app improvement purposes
• Crash Logs and Technical Data: Retained for up to 12 months for debugging and stability improvements
• Cached Data on Device: Automatically cleared based on device storage needs or app updates

You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us. Images can be deleted immediately through the app's delete functionality.

Data Sharing

• No Third-Party Sharing: Your data is never sold or shared with advertisers
• Public Images: Uploaded images are visible to all app users
• Anonymous Statistics: Only aggregate, non-identifying usage data may be shared

International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom, including the United States where our AWS S3 servers are located.

For EU/UK Users: We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers:

• AWS Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs): Amazon Web Services has implemented EU-approved Standard Contractual Clauses for data transfers
• Adequacy Decisions: Where applicable, we rely on adequacy decisions by the European Commission
• Additional Security Measures: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, regardless of location

For more information about AWS's data protection measures, visit AWS GDPR Compliance.

Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Image Control: You own the rights to images you upload
• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): Request deletion of your data in certain circumstances
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format and transmit it to another controller
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request temporary restriction of processing in certain situations
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

For EU/UK Users: Right to Lodge a Complaint

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority:

• EU Users: Contact your national Data Protection Authority (find yours at https://edpb.europa.eu)
• UK Users: Contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in the "Data Controller Information" section. We will respond to your request within 30 days (or as required by applicable law). You can also delete your uploaded images directly through the app.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

Your California Rights

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information (images can be deleted directly through the app)
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell or share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: We do not collect or use sensitive personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

Categories of Personal Information We Collect

• Identifiers: Device identifiers (not linked to your identity)
• Internet Activity: App usage patterns and analytics
• Visual Information: Cat images you choose to upload
• Inferences: Anonymous voting preferences (which cat images are popular)

How We Use Personal Information

• Provide app functionality and features
• Improve and develop the app
• Ensure security and prevent fraud
• Analyze usage trends (anonymously)

We Do NOT:

• Sell Personal Information: We never sell your data to third parties
• Share for Advertising: We do not share your information for cross-context behavioral advertising
• Collect Sensitive Information: We do not collect government IDs, financial data, health information, or precise geolocation

Exercising Your California Rights

To submit a request, contact us using the information in the "Data Controller Information" section. We will verify your identity and respond within 45 days. You may also authorize an agent to make requests on your behalf.

Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

MeowNow does not use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects or similarly significantly affects you. Specifically:

• No Automated Decisions: We do not make automated decisions about you that affect your access to the app or services
• No Profiling: We do not create profiles about you for marketing, advertising, or behavioral analysis purposes
• AI Breed Detection: The optional AI breed detection feature is purely informational and entertainment-based; it does not affect app functionality or user treatment
• Leaderboard Algorithms: Vote tallying is simple mathematical aggregation, not AI-based decision-making

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

MeowNow is a native iOS application and does not use traditional web cookies. However, we use the following technologies:

• iOS Analytics: We collect anonymous usage analytics through Apple's built-in analytics frameworks to understand app performance and user engagement
• Device Identifiers: iOS device identifiers are used for crash reporting and analytics (these are not linked to personal information)
• Local Storage: The app stores preferences and cached images locally on your device for performance
• No Third-Party Trackers: We do not use third-party advertising trackers or SDKs

You can control analytics sharing through your iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements.

Children's Privacy

Age Requirements: MeowNow is suitable for all ages and designed to be child-safe.

EU/UK Users (GDPR Compliance)

• Users Under 16: In the EU/UK, users under 16 require parental consent for data processing. Since we do not collect personal information (names, emails, etc.), no parental consent mechanism is required
• Minimal Data Collection: We only collect non-identifying information (images, votes, device analytics) that does not require parental consent under GDPR
• No Profiling of Children: We do not profile or target children with marketing or advertising

US Users (COPPA Compliance)

• Users Under 13: MeowNow does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent
• No Personal Information: The app does not collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, or other identifying information from users of any age
• Parental Rights: Parents can request deletion of any images uploaded by their children by contacting us

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child without proper consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy occasionally. Significant changes will be announced through app updates.

Data Controller Information

Data Controller: [Your Legal Name or Company Name]

Address: [Your Physical Address]

Email: [Your Contact Email]

Data Protection Officer (if applicable): [DPO Contact or N/A]

Contact Us

For privacy questions or data requests, please contact us at the email address above or through the app's feedback feature.

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This privacy policy complies with iOS App Store requirements, GDPR (EU General Data Protection Regulation), UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA (California Consumer Privacy Act), and COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).