Privacy Policy

Burrow (“Burrow,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) makes simple, friendly mobile apps for pet parents. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. It applies to our website at www.burrow.pet and to our mobile applications, including BarkDecoder (together, the “Services”).

We try to keep this plain-spoken. If anything is unclear, email us at hello@burrow.pet and we'll happily explain.

The short version

• We collect only what we need to run the Services well.
• Our apps do not access your microphone or record audio.
• We do not sell your personal information. Ever.
• You can delete your account or unsubscribe at any time, or email us to request deletion of your data.

Information we collect

Information you provide to us

• Account information. If you create an account in one of our apps, we collect your email address and authentication details (for example, a password, or a token from a third-party sign-in such as Sign in with Apple).
• Newsletter sign-ups. If you ask us to notify you about new apps, we collect the email address you submit on our website.
• Support and contact messages. If you contact us, we collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message so we can respond.
• Purchases and subscriptions. When you buy a subscription or make an in-app purchase, the transaction is handled by the Apple App Store or Google Play. We receive confirmation of your purchase and your subscription status, but we do not receive or store your full payment card number.
• Pet profiles and decode content. In apps such as BarkDecoder, we collect the details you add about your pet (for example, name, breed, age, and notes), the photos you upload, and the descriptions and context you submit to generate a “decode.” We also save the decode results to your history so you can revisit them.

Information collected automatically

• Usage and diagnostics. We use analytics and crash-reporting tools (such as Apple's App Analytics and similar services) to collect aggregated, anonymized information about how the Services are used — for example, device type, operating system version, app version, in-app events, and crash logs. This helps us fix bugs and improve the apps. It is not used to identify you personally.
• Website logs. Our hosting provider automatically records basic technical data when you visit our website, such as your IP address, browser type, and pages viewed, for security and reliability.

Audio: Our apps, including BarkDecoder, do not use your device's microphone and do not record, store, or transmit audio.

How we use information

• To provide, maintain, and improve the Services;
• To create and secure your account and authenticate you;
• To process purchases and manage subscriptions;
• To generate decodes and power other AI features by processing the photos and descriptions you submit (see “AI features and processing” below);
• To understand how the Services are used so we can make them better and fix problems;
• To send you the newsletter you signed up for (you can unsubscribe anytime);
• To respond to your support requests; and
• To comply with legal obligations and protect the rights, safety, and property of Burrow and our users.

AI features and processing

Some app features use artificial intelligence. In BarkDecoder, when you request a decode, the photo and/or text you submit is sent through our secure backend to our third-party AI provider, Anthropic (the Claude API), which processes it to generate a result. Under Anthropic's commercial/API terms, your inputs and outputs are not, by default, used to train its models. The interpretations the app returns are AI-generated for entertainment and bonding, may be inaccurate, and are not professional veterinary advice.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share information only in these limited situations:

• Service providers. With companies that help us run the Services — for example, our website host, our cloud hosting, database, and authentication provider, our AI processing provider (see above), our subscription-management and push-notification providers, app analytics and crash-reporting providers, our email delivery provider, and the app stores that process payments. They may only use the information to perform services for us.
• Legal reasons. When we believe disclosure is required by law, regulation, legal process, or a governmental request.
• Business transfers. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case we will continue to protect your information consistent with this policy.

Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed to provide the Services and for legitimate business or legal purposes. When you delete your account or ask us to delete your data, we delete or anonymize it within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures designed to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, however, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices and rights

• Access and deletion. You can delete your account from within the app, or email hello@burrow.pet to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information.
• Newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any newsletter email, or by emailing us.
• Your regional rights. Depending on where you live (for example, under the GDPR in Europe/UK or the CCPA/CPRA in California), you may have additional rights, such as the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and to object to certain processing. California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect and to request its deletion, and we do not sell personal information. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@burrow.pet. We will not discriminate against you for exercising them.

Children's privacy

Our Services are intended for adults and are not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

International users

Burrow is based in the United States, and your information may be processed and stored in the United States or other countries that may have data-protection laws different from those in your country. Where required, we take steps to ensure your information receives an adequate level of protection.

Third-party links and stores

Our Services may link to third-party sites and are distributed through the Apple App Store and Google Play, which have their own privacy practices. This policy does not cover those third parties, and we encourage you to review their policies.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Services after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact us

Questions, requests, or concerns about privacy? Email us at hello@burrow.pet. We're a small team and we read every message.