Holotype: Fossil Identifier

Holotype: Fossil Identifier Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2026

Summary

Your collection, field data, labels, notes, voice notes and find locations stay on your device. When you identify a fossil, the photo is sent through our AI server to an AI model and the answer comes back; we do not store it. RevenueCat handles subscriptions.

This policy covers the Holotype: Fossil Identifier app for iPhone and iPad, published by mk0.net, an independent app studio. It is written from what the app actually does in its code. Questions: [email protected].

What we receive

Photos you choose to identify pass through our AI server, which does not store them. To prevent abuse, requests carry a random install ID that is not linked to your identity.

What stays on your device

  • Your saved finds, AI results, catalogue numbers, field data, notes, tags, favorites and optional find locations are stored on this device.
  • Photos and voice notes are saved inside the app on this device.
  • Your local profile name and photo stay on this device.
  • Your free identification count and the random install ID are kept in the Keychain on this device.

We cannot see this data. It is not uploaded to us.

Permissions the app may ask for

  • Camera: Asked when you take a photo of a fossil to identify it.
  • Photos: Asked when you pick a photo to identify or save a photo to your library. With full access, the app can also look through your library on the device for possible fossil photos.
  • Location: Optional. Used only while the app is open to tag where you found a fossil.
  • Microphone: Asked when you record a voice note for a find. Recordings stay on your device.
  • Notifications: Optional. Used for daily or weekly reminders, scheduled on your device.

Every permission is optional and can be changed later in the iPhone Settings app. Features that need a permission you decline simply stay unavailable.

Data that leaves your device

The app talks to the following services. Each receives only what is listed, and only for the purpose shown.

  • mk0.net AI service (runs on Cloudflare Workers) and OpenAI (photo identification): Only when you tap to identify: the resized photo, your app language and the request text, plus the random install ID. Their privacy policy.
  • Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation) (background information): After an identification: the scientific name of the species and your language code, to show a summary. Their privacy policy.
  • RevenueCat (subscription management): Used to handle your subscription: an anonymous user ID, purchase and subscription status, and basic device and app information. Their privacy policy.

Sensitive information

Find locations are precise places you choose to save. They stay on your device and are not sent to us or to the AI service.

Purchases

Subscriptions are sold and billed by Apple through the App Store. We never see your name, Apple ID, card or payment details. The app checks your subscription status through RevenueCat, which receives an anonymous ID and your purchase status, not your identity.

Ads, tracking and analytics

No ads, no tracking across apps or websites, and no data is sold. The app contains no analytics SDK.

Account

No account needed.

Children

Holotype: Fossil Identifier is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Keeping and deleting your data

You can export your collection from Settings and delete finds inside the app. Deleting the app removes all of its data from this device. The free identification counter in the Keychain may remain after reinstalling.

Your rights

Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA or KVKK), you have the right to access, correct, export or delete your personal data. Because the app keeps your records on your own device, you can do most of this directly in the app or by deleting it. For anything else, or for data held by a service listed above, email [email protected] and we will help within 30 days.

Changes to this policy

If the app starts handling data differently, we will update this page and the date below before the change ships.

Contact

mk0.net, [email protected]