Photo Finder Privacy Policy
Effective date: 24 May 2026
Photo Finder is an app for students enrolled in Will Barron’s photography training program. This policy explains what the app collects, why, and what happens to it. We aim to collect only what’s needed to make the app work.
The short version
To use Photo Finder you need an active student account in the training program. The app lets you upload photos, attach notes and metadata, view them on a map alongside real-time weather, and optionally generate AI-powered reports based on your location. To do that we store your account email, the photos you upload, and the location and metadata associated with those photos on our servers, and we share location data with a small number of third-party services that power the app’s features. We don’t run analytics, we don’t use advertising trackers, and we don’t sell or share your data for marketing. When you leave the training program, your photos and associated data are deleted.
Information we collect
Account information. When you sign in, we store the email address you use for magic-link authentication. We do not store passwords because we don’t use them.
Photos you upload. Photos you choose to upload through the app are stored on our servers, along with any notes and metadata you add to them.
Location data from your photos. When you upload a photo, we read the GPS coordinates embedded in its metadata (EXIF data) so we can display the photo on a map. This location is stored alongside the photo.
Your device’s current location. The app uses your device’s current location to fetch real-time weather for where you are, and — if you choose to generate an AI-powered report based on your current position — to produce that report for that location. Your current location is used on your device and transmitted to the third-party services described below. It is not stored on our servers.
Technical data sent to third parties. When the app makes requests to third-party APIs, your IP address and user-agent string are transmitted as part of the standard API request. See “Third-party services” below.
How we use your information
We use the information above to:
- Authenticate you and confirm you are an enrolled student
- Store and display your photos, notes, and metadata
- Show your photos on a map
- Provide real-time weather information based on your location
- Generate AI-powered reports when you request them
We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose unrelated to running the app.
Third-party services
We rely on a small number of third-party services to power the app. Each receives only the information needed to perform its function, which generally means a location (latitude and longitude), your IP address, and a user-agent string transmitted as part of standard API requests. None of these providers receives your account information or your photos beyond what is described below.
Hosting. Our backend is hosted on Supabase, which runs on Amazon Web Services. Your account data, photos, and associated metadata are stored in the AWS eu-west-1 region (Ireland). Supabase processes this data on our behalf.
Weather data. The app uses Windy and Open-Meteo to provide weather information based on your location. Their handling of the data they receive is governed by their respective privacy policies.
AI-generated reports. When you request a report, the app uses Google’s Gemini API to generate it. The relevant location and associated weather data are sent to Google for that purpose. Google’s handling of API data is governed by Google’s privacy policy and the Gemini API terms.
Maps. Map views in the app are provided by Mapbox. When the app loads map content, Mapbox receives the technical information needed to serve it. Mapbox’s handling of that information is governed by Mapbox’s privacy policy.
Optional third-party content. If you choose to favourite a Flickr photo through the app, that photo is displayed within the map view. This involves the app loading content from Flickr, and Flickr may receive technical information about that request as a standard part of serving the image. We don’t share your account information with Flickr. Flickr’s handling of any information they collect is governed by Flickr’s privacy policy.
Apple. The app is distributed through the Apple App Store. Apple may collect information when you download, install, or use the app under Apple’s own privacy policy. We do not receive personally identifiable information from Apple about individual users.
We do not use analytics SDKs, crash reporting tools, or advertising networks.
Data retention and deletion
Your photos, notes, metadata, and saved locations are retained for as long as you are an active student in the training program. When you leave the program, this data is deleted from our servers. You can also request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at the address below.
Your rights
Because students are global, the rights available to you depend on where you live. Depending on your jurisdiction (for example under the EU/UK GDPR or California’s CCPA), you may have the right to access, correct, export, or delete the personal information we hold about you, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email below and we’ll respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.
The lawful basis for processing your data under GDPR is the performance of our contract with you as a student of the training program, and your consent where you grant the app access to your location and photo library.
International data transfers
Our servers are located in Ireland (EU). If you access the app from outside the EU, your data is transferred to and stored in the EU. Requests made to third-party APIs (Windy, Open-Meteo, Google Gemini, Mapbox, Flickr) may be processed in other jurisdictions, including the United States.
Permissions you control
You can revoke the app’s access to your photo library and location at any time through your device’s Settings app. Note that revoking these permissions will prevent the affected features from working.
Children’s privacy
Photo Finder is only available to enrolled students of the training program, all of whom are 16 or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16.
Changes to this policy
If this privacy policy is updated, the revised version will be posted here with a new effective date. Material changes to data practices will be reflected in an updated policy released alongside the relevant app update.
Contact
Questions or requests about this privacy policy can be sent to Support@PhotographyExplained.com.
