Privacy policy: AIB Camera
Last updated: 5 November 2026
AIB Camera is a mobile app for field photography in wildfire response (AIB) and similar situations. It is open to anyone: useful for stamped, geotagged photos, sharing them (WhatsApp, Telegram, …), or reading coordinates to emergency responders (e.g. 112).
This policy describes how the app handles data on the device.
In short
- The app is offline-first. Photos, settings, in-app gallery, and capture log stay on the device.
- There is no account, analytics SDK, or developer-managed cloud sync.
- The camera is required to take photos.
- Location is optional and is used to print coordinates, altitude, heading, and place on the photo, show them on the Map tab, and write matching EXIF JPEG fields when possible. You can also lock an aimed target (GPS + compass + entered distance): estimated coordinates can replace your position on the stamp and map until you clear them.
- Photos library access is optional and is used to save stamped photos into the “AIB Camera” album and remove those copies when you delete photos in the app.
- Network is used for optional reverse geocoding (GPS → place label) and for map tiles (Apple Maps on iOS; OpenStreetMap/CARTO via Leaflet on Android: not Google Maps) when you open the Map tab. Nearby labels may stay cached on the device for offline reuse. Copying or sharing coordinates does not require map tiles.
Data processed by the app
| Data | Where it stays | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Camera image | On device (app storage; optionally Photos library) | Capture and share stamped field photos |
| Date and time | Printed on the JPEG (Europe/Rome); also EXIF DateTime | Operational context on the photo |
| GPS coordinates, accuracy, altitude, heading | On device; on stamp / EXIF when available | Location context on the photo |
| Aimed-target estimate (distance + heading) | On device (session sticky point); may appear on stamp / log / EXIF GPS | Coordinates of what you are pointing at, not only your position |
| Place label (reverse geocode) | On device; optional network lookup; local cache; may appear in EXIF | Human-readable place on the stamp |
| Capture ID (UUID) | On device (capture log); EXIF ImageUniqueID / UserComment JSON | Identify photos taken with this app |
| Install ID (UUID) | On device (local storage); Settings (tap to copy); CSV export | Tie capture-log CSVs to a specific installation |
| Custom stamp text | On device (settings); may appear in EXIF description / comment | Optional notes on the photo |
| App settings | On device (local storage) | Remember stamp preferences and UI language |
| Map view (optional) | On device only; tiles from Apple (iOS) or OpenStreetMap/CARTO (Android) when online | Show the effective point; copy or share coordinates |
Capture log
Each successful shot is recorded in a local capture log (ID, date/time, and coordinates when available). The log stays on the device even if you delete the photo from the in-app gallery or system album. It is not uploaded. You can open it from Settings, copy an ID to compare with EXIF on a shared JPEG, or export everything as CSV via the system share sheet. Each app install also has a local install ID (UUID), shown in Settings. There you can tap Version or Install ID to copy the value. The install ID is written in the install_id CSV column so logs from multiple devices stay distinguishable. Reinstalling the app creates a new ID. The version string is only the app build label (not a tracking identifier).
EXIF metadata
After the visual stamp, the app tries to write standard EXIF tags on the saved JPEG (for example Software, Artist, ImageUniqueID, GPS fields, and a JSON UserComment). If the device build cannot write EXIF, the photo remains saved with the visual stamp and the capture-log entry. If stamp compositing also fails, the unstamped JPEG still remains in the in-app gallery.
The developer does not run a backend that receives photos, location, settings, capture IDs, or install IDs.
Permissions
- Camera: required to capture.
- Location (while using): optional. If denied you can still shoot; geo lines on the stamp show unavailable and GPS EXIF fields are omitted.
- Photos / media library: optional: save stamped photos to the “AIB Camera” album and remove those copies when you delete them in the app. The in-app gallery remains the source of truth even if this permission is denied.
Sharing
If you use the system share sheet (WhatsApp, Mail, Files, etc.), the shared photo (including any EXIF written into the file), a capture-log CSV, or location text from the Map tab leaves the app under the rules of the app or service you choose. Opening a point in Apple Maps or Google Maps follows that app’s rules. That is outside AIB Camera’s control.
Children’s privacy
The app is not directed at children and does not knowingly collect personal data from minors.
Changes
If this policy changes in a material way, the “Last updated” date above will be revised. Continuing to use the app after an update means you accept the revised policy.
Contact
Developer site: smnl.dev · Policy URL: aib.smnl.dev/camera/privacy · Terms: aib.smnl.dev/camera/terms
Privacy questions about AIB Camera: stefano@smnl.dev.
