Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 2026 · Published by Sweet Phoenix Creations (Pty) Ltd

Sweet Phoenix Creations (Pty) Ltd ("Sweet Phoenix Creations", "we", "us", or "our") built SymptoPet, a mobile application for tracking your pets' health, training, and daily care ("SymptoPet" or the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains what information the App collects, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using SymptoPet, you agree to the collection and use of information as described here.

1.Information we collect

SymptoPet is designed to work fully offline. Most of what you enter is optional and stays on your device unless you choose to create an account, at which point it also syncs to our secure cloud database so you can recover it on another device.

We do not require an account to use SymptoPet. Choosing "Continue offline" keeps everything on your device only.

2.How we use your information

• To provide the App's core features: pet profiles, health tracking, reminders, the symptom checker, diary, and Sitter Mode export.
• To sync and back up your data across your own devices when you're signed in.
• To show you community Danger Pins reported near your location.
• To send local notifications you've asked for (feeding/medicine/training times, birthdays, reminders) — these are scheduled on your device and do not require sending your data to us.
• To provide customer support if you contact us.
• To maintain the security and reliability of the App.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your pet's health data for advertising.

3.Where your data is stored

Data you enter is stored locally on your device at all times. If you create an account, your data is also stored in a cloud database operated by our infrastructure provider, Supabase, Inc., which provides secure, access-controlled hosting. Only you (and Sweet Phoenix Creations, where necessary to operate the service) can access your account's data — other users cannot see your pets, health records, or diary entries.

4.Who we share data with

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share data only with:

• Supabase, Inc. — our database and authentication provider, acting as our data processor.
• Apple Inc. and Google LLC — only if you choose to sign in with Apple or Google, or if you install SymptoPet from the App Store or Google Play (who process payment for Premium subscriptions).
• Other SymptoPet users — only the specific content you choose to share publicly, namely Danger Pin reports (approximate location, category, and description). Your pet profiles, health records, and diary are never visible to other users.
• Law enforcement or regulators — only where required by law.

5.Location data

SymptoPet requests location access only to (a) show Danger Pins near you and (b) attach your current location to a pin you choose to report. Location is not collected or used for any other purpose, and you can decline location access — the rest of the App will continue to work normally.

6.Notifications

With your permission, SymptoPet schedules local notifications directly on your device for reminders, care schedules, and pet birthdays. These are generated and delivered by your device's operating system. If you allow notifications, we may also send you occasional notices about SymptoPet through Apple's or Google's notification services (see section 13). You can disable notifications at any time in your device settings.

7.Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live (including under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the EU/UK GDPR, and similar laws), you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you;
• Correct inaccurate information (directly in the App, via each pet's Edit screen or your account settings);
• Export your data (via the in-app Sitter Mode PDF export, or by contacting us);
• Request deletion of your account and data (see below);
• Object to or restrict certain processing;
• Withdraw consent at any time by signing out or deleting your account.

8.Deleting your data

You can permanently delete your account and all associated cloud data at any time from within the App: Settings → Account → Delete Account & Data. This immediately and permanently removes your account and cloud-synced records from our systems. Data stored only on your device is removed if you delete the App. For full details, or if you're unable to access the App, see our Data Deletion page.

9.Children's privacy

SymptoPet is not directed at children under 13 (or the relevant age of digital consent in your country), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

10.Security

We use industry-standard measures, including encrypted network connections and access-controlled cloud infrastructure, to protect your information. No method of storage or transmission is 100% secure, but we work to protect your data and will notify you where required by law if a breach affects your information.

11.International users

SymptoPet is operated from South Africa. If you use the App from outside South Africa, your information may be transferred to and processed in South Africa and other countries where our service providers operate, which may have different data protection laws than your own country.

12.Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll update the "Last updated" date above, and where changes are material, we'll provide additional notice in the App.

13.Marketplace, messages and our support team

If you use the SymptoPet Marketplace, we process the following in addition to the information above:

• Your public profile: display name, whether you are a private owner, breeder or shelter, your town, and verification badges. Your email address and phone number are never shown to other users.
• Ads: the photos, description, price, town, country and animal details you post. A microchip number is shown only partly (last four digits).
• Messages between you and other users about ads, and any reports you send or that are made about you or your ads (including, for reports made without an account, the reporter's email address).
• Verification: if you verify your phone number, it is held by our authentication provider and used only to confirm it is yours. If you choose an ID check, it is carried out by a verification partner; we receive only the result, not your ID document.

Who can see it. Other users see your ads and public profile. Only the two people in a chat can read it. Our support team can see account basics, ads, reports, and which users have contacted each other. Support staff can read the messages of a conversation only after that conversation, or its ad, has been reported, and every such access is recorded in an audit log with the reason. We may also disclose information where the law requires it.

How long we keep it. Chat messages are deleted automatically after 12 months. Ads are kept until you delete them or your account. Deleting your account removes your profile, ads, saved items and messages. Records of reports and moderation decisions are kept only as long as needed to handle disputes and meet legal obligations.

Push notifications and purchases. If you allow notifications, we store a device token so we can send you notices about SymptoPet through Apple's or Google's notification services; you can turn these off at any time in your device settings. If you subscribe to Premium, we record the status of your subscription (for example active, trial or cancelled) from Apple or Google so we can give you access; we do not receive your payment card details.

Where it is stored. Marketplace data is stored with our hosting provider Supabase in the European Union (Ireland). Your rights described in this policy — including access, correction, deletion and objection — apply to Marketplace data too; you can delete your account in the app, and you can complain to your data protection authority or, in South Africa, the Information Regulator.

14.Contact us