Apiary Assistant Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 15, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Turtle Bee Honey (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use Apiary Assistant — our mobile apps for iOS and Android, the Apple Watch companion app, and the web dashboard at apiary-assistant.web.app (together, the “Service”). It applies equally on all platforms.

By using the Service, you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

Who we are

The Service is operated by Turtle Bee Honey. If you have questions about this Policy or your data, contact us at support@turtlebeehoney.com.

Information we collect

We collect only what we need to run the Service:

  • Account information. When you create an account we collect your email address and display name. You can sign up with email and password, Google Sign-In, or (on iOS) Sign in with Apple. Authentication is handled by Google Firebase Authentication.
  • Content you create. The beekeeping records you enter — apiaries, hives, inspections, mite counts, treatments, feedings, harvests, weights, queen records, equipment, notes, tasks, and similar data.
  • Photos and images. Photos you attach to inspections or hives, and any photo you send to the Abby AI assistant for identification.
  • Location. If you enable it, we use your device’s location — including precise GPS coordinates you choose to capture for an apiary or swarm trap — to auto-fill apiary locations and to provide local weather and inspection-readiness information. We do not track your location in the background.
  • AI assistant inputs. Text questions and any photos you submit to Abby, our optional AI assistant, so it can generate a response.
  • Usage and diagnostic data. Basic app-activity, crash, and performance data collected through Firebase to keep the app stable.
  • Push notification token. A device token used to deliver weather alerts and task-assignment notifications, if you enable notifications.

How we use your information

  • To provide, sync, and back up your beekeeping records across your devices and the web dashboard.
  • To authenticate you and secure your account.
  • To deliver location-based weather and inspection-readiness features.
  • To power optional AI features (Abby), including answering your questions and analyzing photos you choose to submit.
  • To send notifications you’ve enabled (e.g., weather alerts, task assignments).
  • To enable team collaboration when you share an apiary with others.
  • To diagnose crashes, fix bugs, and improve reliability.
  • To process subscriptions and provide customer support.

The Abby AI assistant — how it works and its limits

Abby is an optional, beekeeping-focused AI assistant available on our Advanced plan. When you ask Abby a question or send a photo, that text and image are transmitted through our secure backend (Google Cloud Functions) to a third-party AI provider, Anthropic, which processes the input to generate a response. Your inputs are sent only to answer your request.

AI can be wrong. Abby’s answers — including any identification of queens, diseases, or pests from photos — are informational only, may be inaccurate or incomplete, and are not a substitute for professional inspection or veterinary advice. Always verify important findings with trusted resources such as your state or local apiary inspector or agricultural extension office. Abby does not provide medical or veterinary diagnosis.

How your information is shared

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising. We share information only as follows:

  • Service providers (subprocessors) who process data on our behalf:
    • Google (Firebase / Google Cloud) — authentication, database and file storage, cloud functions, push notifications, and crash/analytics.
    • Anthropic — processes the text and photos you send to the Abby AI assistant to generate responses.
    • Weather data providers — Open-Meteo (and, on iOS, Apple WeatherKit) receive the location or apiary coordinates you provide in order to return local weather.
    • Apple App Store and Google Play — process subscription purchases and billing. We do not receive or store your full payment card details.
  • People you invite. If you share an apiary with team members, the records in that apiary — and the name of the person who created or modified them — are visible to those collaborators.
  • Legal reasons. If required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our users or the Service.
  • Business transfers. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to this Policy.

Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. When you delete your account (see below), we delete your account and associated cloud data. Residual copies in encrypted backups are removed within 30 days. We may retain limited records where required for legal, tax, or fraud-prevention purposes.

Your choices and rights

  • Access and edit. You can view and edit your records at any time in the app or on the web dashboard.
  • Delete your account and data. You can permanently delete your account and all associated data directly in the app:
    • iOS: Settings / Account › Delete Account & All Data.
    • Android: Settings › Delete Account & All Data.
    You can also request deletion via our account deletion page or by emailing support@turtlebeehoney.com.
  • Notifications and location. You can turn notifications and location access on or off in your device settings at any time.
  • Regional rights. Depending on where you live (e.g., the EEA/UK or California), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and to object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise these rights.

Security

Data is encrypted in transit. We use industry-standard security practices provided by Google Cloud/Firebase to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to protect your data and restrict access to it.

Children’s privacy

The Service is intended for adults (18+) and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

International data transfers

We and our service providers may process and store your information in the United States and other countries. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data-protection rules than your own.

Subscriptions

Optional Standard and Advanced subscriptions are sold through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account or Google Play settings. Deleting your account does not automatically cancel a store subscription.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version here and change the “Last updated” date. Material changes may also be announced in the app.

Contact us

Questions or requests? Email support@turtlebeehoney.com.