Privacy Policy

This application (hereinafter referred to as "the App") is operated by the "Rug Identifier" App Development Team (hereinafter referred to as "the Team"). This policy sets forth the handling of user data, including personal information, of all users (hereinafter referred to as "Users") who use the App. Please review this policy carefully so that you can use the App with confidence.

1. Information We Collect and Purposes

Image data captured by the camera or selected from the gallery
The App provides a feature to identify rugs, carpets, and woven textiles using the camera or photos from the gallery. In order to identify an item and display information such as rug type, style, pattern, likely materials, and an estimated price range, image data captured by the camera or selected from the gallery is transmitted to and processed by the following external services:
- OpenAI API — the image is analyzed to identify the rug and generate related information.
- eBay Browse API (image search) — the image is used to search eBay for visually similar listings so that reference prices and listing information can be displayed.
In addition, image data and identification results may be stored on our external storage service (Firebase), for example when results are saved to your history. Please avoid including personal or sensitive information (such as people's faces or documents containing personal data) in the images you capture or upload.
Information voluntarily provided by Users
Examples: email address, password, etc. This information is used when Users utilize certain features of the App (e.g., account creation, data synchronization). Providing this information is not mandatory.
Usage and access information
Examples: IP address, device type, OS information, date and time of use, access history, operation history (for analytics), etc. This information is used to analyze usage of the App and to improve services, identify and resolve issues, and ensure stable operation of the App.
Other information voluntarily provided by Users
Examples: inquiries and survey responses voluntarily submitted by Users. This information is used for user support and service improvement.

2. Purpose of Use of Collected Information

The Team uses User information for the following purposes in operating the App.

To provide, operate, and improve the App
To provide the rug identification and estimated price range feature using the camera or gallery photos
To respond to inquiries from Users
To prevent and detect unauthorized use and security issues
To analyze usage of the App and utilize the findings for new feature development and service improvement
To address violations of the Terms of Service and other rules
For other purposes that have been disclosed to and consented to by Users in advance

3. Disclosure to Third Parties

As a general rule, the Team will not provide User information to third parties without the User's consent. However, personal information may be disclosed in any of the following cases:

When disclosure is required by law
When consent has been obtained from the User
When it is necessary to protect a person's life, body, or property, and it is difficult to obtain the User's consent
When it is particularly necessary for improving public health or promoting the sound development of children, and it is difficult to obtain the User's consent
When it is necessary to cooperate with a national or local government body, or a person entrusted by such body, in performing duties prescribed by laws and regulations, and obtaining the User's consent may hinder the performance of such duties

Separately from the above, in order to provide the App's core features, the App shares certain data, including image data, with the external service providers described in "4. Use of External Services" below (for example, OpenAI and eBay for item identification and price reference, and Firebase for storage). These providers process such data as necessary to provide their services.

4. Use of External Services

The App uses the following external services for service operation and quality improvement. User account information may be stored by these services.

OpenAI API (image-based identification of rugs, carpets, and woven textiles; provided by OpenAI)
eBay Browse API (image search and retrieval of publicly available listing information, such as item titles, prices, and images, for identified items)
Firebase (authentication service, storage, database, etc.; provided by Google; stores account information, images, and identification results)

About Information Sent to and Obtained from eBay

To help Users understand the approximate market value of an identified item, the App uses the eBay Browse API. Specifically, the App sends the image you captured or selected to eBay's image search in order to find visually similar listings, and then retrieves and displays publicly available listing information from eBay, such as item titles, prices, and images. The App does not send your account information to eBay and does not require you to sign in to an eBay account.

Listing information obtained from eBay is used solely to display reference information within the App in response to your request. The App does not store this eBay listing information in its own database and does not use it to train or develop any machine learning models or artificial intelligence systems.

eBay's own handling of personal data is governed by the eBay User Privacy Notice. This Privacy Policy is intended to be consistent with the eBay User Privacy Notice.

5. Retention Period and Management