Privacy Policy
This page explains how Orchidarc handles information submitted through OrquIDea, Orchidarc’s citizen-science platform for wild orchid observations. It is intended to serve as the Privacy Policy URL for future App Store and Google Play listings.
Information we may collect
Depending on the features you use, OrquIDea may collect or store:
- user account information, such as name, username, email address, and authentication identifiers;
- submitted photographs of wild orchids, habitats, or associated field context;
- observation metadata, including date, time, general locality, habitat notes, host-tree notes, suggested identification, comments, and verification status;
- GPS coordinates or other location information associated with an observation;
- community discussion, suggested identifications, reports, moderation notes, and support messages;
- technical information needed to operate the service, prevent abuse, and maintain security.
Photos and EXIF metadata
OrquIDea is designed to reduce conservation risk by removing EXIF metadata from uploaded photographs where technically possible. GPS coordinates are stored separately from public images so that sensitive location information is not exposed through image files.
GPS coordinates and sensitive species masking
Exact GPS coordinates may be needed for conservation review, research, monitoring, or verification. However, OrquIDea does not publicly expose exact locations for sensitive species. Public maps, feeds, and website outputs should use masked, fuzzed, hidden, or generalized locality information through controlled database views or RPCs.
How information is used
Observation data may support orchid distribution records, flowering-time observations, habitat notes, conservation monitoring, reintroduction follow-up, community education, Orchidarc research, and field planning. Orchidarc may also use information to verify records, moderate unsafe content, investigate misuse, and respond to support requests.
What we do not allow
OrquIDea must not be used to locate, collect, remove, trade, or disturb wild orchids. We may restrict, hide, edit, or remove records where publication could create conservation risk or violate community rules.
Sharing and public display
Some observation information may be visible to other users or the public, such as photographs, general locality, date, habitat notes, suggested identification, discussion, and verification status. Exact locations of sensitive species should not be publicly displayed.
Service providers
OrquIDea may rely on technical service providers for authentication, hosting, file storage, database services, analytics, security, or email support. These providers process information only as needed to operate and maintain the service.
User deletion and data requests
Users may request account deletion, correction of personal information, or deletion of their submitted records by contacting Orchidarc. Some conservation records may need to be retained in anonymized, generalized, or restricted form where removal would compromise verified conservation datasets or legal obligations.
Contact and support
For privacy, support, or data requests, contact andresr@orchidarc.org. Include the email address associated with your account and a clear description of the request.
Updates
This policy may be updated as OrquIDea develops, including before release on App Store or Google Play. Last updated: June 2026.