Hatched! — Legal & Privacy

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Hammoch Apps (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use Hatched! and related services (together, the “Services”). The Services are intended for use only in the United States.

Hatched! is offered only to users in the United States. We describe our practices for that audience below.

1. Who we are

The business responsible for the Services is Hammoch Apps, contactable at jason@hammochapps.com. We do not market Hatched! to consumers in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom.

2. Information we process

Depending on how you use Hatched!, we may process:

• Account & profile data: Information associated with your Apple/iCloud account linkage through CloudKit, such as a CloudKit user record identifier, display name, and profile fields you choose to add (for example, a short bio if you offer that field).
• Content you submit: Nests you add (including species/notes), photos, short videos (when supported), and comments. This content is stored in Hatched!’s CloudKit container and may be visible to other users according to visibility settings (for example, public vs. bond-based visibility).
• Location information: Precise or approximate location you attach to a nest, and location used for map/nearby experiences. Location may be derived from GPS, Wi‑Fi, or device sensors, subject to your device permission choices.
• Social graph data: “Pair bond” or similar connection requests and accepted connections, to support shared visibility and notifications where implemented.
• Interaction data: Likes and reports related to content, if offered in Hatched!.
• Moderation & safety: Reports, block lists stored on your device, and server-side records used to enforce community rules (for example, moderation actions applied to content). Some moderation signals may be processed on-device (for example, text screening or optional sensitive media analysis when enabled on the device and permitted by Apple APIs).
• Push-notification tokens & metadata: If you enable notifications, Apple’s push infrastructure may process tokens and message delivery metadata. We do not control Apple’s processing of APNs data beyond standard iOS behavior.
• Subscription status: Apple provides transaction / entitlement signals via StoreKit so Hatched! can unlock paid features. We typically do not receive your full payment card number—payments are processed by Apple.
• Diagnostics & analytics: Hammoch Apps does not embed third-party crash or analytics SDKs in Hatched!. Apple may collect limited crash, performance, or usage information through iOS, Xcode, and App Store processes as described in Apple’s privacy documentation and your device settings.

3. How we use information

• Provide, operate, and improve the Services (including maps, feeds, search, bonds, and uploads).
• Personalize your experience (for example, showing content from people you connect with).
• Enforce our Terms, community standards, and safety/moderation processes.
• Communicate with you about the Services (for example, responding to support requests you send us).
• Comply with law, respond to lawful requests, and protect rights, privacy, safety, or property.
• Conduct on-device checks to reduce harmful uploads where implemented (for example, text and optional media checks).

4. Legal bases (United States)

We process personal information under U.S. law, including as needed to perform our contract with you (providing the Services), based on our legitimate interests (for example, safety, security, fraud prevention, and product improvement), with your consent where required, and to comply with legal obligations. Some U.S. states grant residents additional privacy rights—see U.S. state privacy notices below.

5. Sharing & processors

• Apple / iCloud / CloudKit: Content and app data may be stored in your CloudKit environment. Apple’s privacy notices apply to Apple’s processing: Apple Privacy Policy.
• Service providers: Aside from Apple as described above, Hammoch Apps does not use additional vendors to host, sell, or perform behavioral advertising on personal data collected through Hatched!.
• Other users: Content you mark public or share within bonding features may be visible to other users. Do not post information you consider confidential.
• Moderation / enforcement: We may remove, restrict, or annotate content to protect users and comply with law.
• Legal & safety: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect rights and safety.
• Business transfers: If we merge, are acquired, or sell assets, information may transfer as part of that transaction, subject to applicable law and notice requirements.

6. Retention

We retain information while your account is active and as needed to provide the Services, comply with law, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and for legitimate business purposes. Some CloudKit records may persist until deleted according to Hatched!’s features and Apple infrastructure behavior. When you remove content in the app, we delete or anonymize associated CloudKit records when your account permissions and Apple’s infrastructure allow.

7. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards appropriate to the nature of the data. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

8. Your privacy choices & rights

U.S. residents may have rights under federal law and under state “consumer privacy” statutes (for example, access, deletion, correction, opt-out of sale/sharing where those concepts apply). Depending on the law, you may appeal certain decisions.

• Many CloudKit records are tied to your Apple ID; deletion inside Hatched! may be limited by CloudKit permissions. You can delete individual nests and profile fields you control in the app. For account-wide deletion or data export requests, email jason@hammochapps.com and we will respond as required by law.
• Device permissions: You can control location, camera, photos, microphone, and notifications in iOS Settings.
• To exercise rights, contact jason@hammochapps.com. We may need to verify your request as permitted by law.

9. Children & age requirement

Hatched! is intended for users 18 years of age or older located in the United States only. We do not knowingly market to, or collect personal information from, anyone under 18. If you believe we have collected information from someone under 18, contact us at jason@hammochapps.com and we will take appropriate steps.

10. Where information is processed

We target users in the United States. Information you provide is processed through Apple iCloud / CloudKit and related Apple services; Apple may process data on systems located in the United States and potentially in other countries according to Apple’s Privacy Policy. Hammoch Apps does not use non-Apple data processors for the core operation of Hatched! beyond what this policy describes.

Terms of Use

By downloading, accessing, or using Hatched!, you agree to these Terms of Use (“Terms”) with Hammoch Apps. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

1. Apple-required terms for licensed applications

If Hatched! is downloaded from the Apple App Store, you acknowledge that these Terms are between you and Hammoch Apps, not Apple. Apple is not responsible for Hatched! or its content. Apple has no obligation to furnish maintenance or support for Hatched!. Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims relating to Hatched! (product liability, legal/regulatory failure, consumer protection). If a third party claims Hatched! infringes intellectual property rights, Hammoch Apps (not Apple) is responsible for investigation, defense, settlement, and discharge of such claims, to the extent required by Apple’s App Store rules. Apple and Apple’s subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce them against you.

2. Eligibility & United States only

You must be at least 18 years old, located in the United States, and able to form a binding contract. Hatched! is not offered to residents of other countries. If you access the Services from outside the United States, you must stop and you may not use the Services unless we have expressly authorized an exception in writing.

3. License

We grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Services for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to these Terms and App Store rules.

4. Accounts & Apple services

The Services may require an Apple ID and iCloud. Your use of Apple services is governed by Apple’s terms and privacy policy. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your device and Apple account.

5. Your content & license to us

You retain rights in content you submit. You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, modify (for technical processing such as transcoding), display, and distribute your content solely to operate, promote, and improve the Services and enforce our policies.

6. Prohibited conduct

You agree not to:

• Violate law or infringe others’ rights (including privacy, publicity, IP).
• Harass, threaten, impersonate, defraud, or endanger anyone.
• Post illegal, hateful, sexually exploitative, violent, or otherwise harmful content.
• Distribute malware, scrape, overload, or interfere with the Services.
• Circumvent security, rate limits, paywalls, or moderation.
• Collect personal data from users without lawful basis and clear notice.
• Use or attempt to use the Services primarily from outside the United States in violation of our U.S.-only scope.
• Use the Services in a way that encourages unlawful disturbance of protected birds, nests, or eggs, or that violates wildlife, trespass, or safety rules (see Wildlife, safety & location).

7. Moderation

We may remove, hide, or restrict content, suspend accounts, and use automated or manual tools to protect users. We are not obligated to monitor all content. Enforcement decisions may be imperfect. If you believe a moderation decision was wrong, email jason@hammochapps.com with the relevant nest, comment, or account detail and a short explanation. We will review good-faith appeals when feasible.

8. DMCA / copyright

See the Copyright & DMCA section below.

9. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time. We may suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms or law, or to protect the Services. Provisions that should survive termination will survive.

10. Disputes & governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict-of-law principles that would require another jurisdiction’s law. You agree that state and federal courts located in Delaware have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms or Hatched!, except where applicable consumer law requires a different mandatory venue or prohibits such a choice of forum.

Community & acceptable use

Hatched! is a community about birds and nests. To keep it welcoming and responsible:

• Hatched! is United States–only and for adults 18+; don’t use it elsewhere or if you’re underage.
• Be respectful; no harassment, hate, or coordinated abuse.
• Share accurate, lawful content; don’t mislead others about locations or sightings.
• Respect wildlife and local rules; avoid sharing content that encourages harmful or illegal activity.
• Use reporting tools in good faith.
• Respect others’ privacy—avoid posting identifiable images of people without permission where applicable.

Subscriptions & billing

Hatched! may offer auto-renewing subscriptions (for example, monthly and yearly plans) identified in Hatched!. Payments are processed by Apple. Subscription prices, introductory offers, renewal terms, and regional taxes are shown at purchase time in your storefront.

• Management & cancellation: You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings (Subscriptions). Uninstalling Hatched! may not cancel a subscription.
• Free trials / intro pricing: If offered, conversion to paid and billing timing follow Apple’s display and your storefront rules.
• Refunds: Refund requests are handled by Apple per Apple’s policies unless otherwise required by law.
• Standard EULA: Apple’s standard end-user license terms also apply where applicable: Apple Standard Licensed Application EULA.

Wildlife, safety & location

United States — federal protections for birds, nests, and eggs

Many wild birds in the United States are protected by federal law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (codified principally at 16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712) makes it unlawful—subject to limited exceptions and permits—for covered conduct involving migratory birds, including in many situations nests and eggs, unless you have proper authorization. Obligations and definitions (such as what counts as a “take”) can be fact-specific. Violations may carry substantial criminal and civil penalties.

Eagles and some other species or activities may also be regulated under additional statutes—commonly cited examples include the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This section is a general, non-exhaustive overview for users in the United States and is not legal advice.

Official resources (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and public statute text):

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Migratory Bird Treaty Act overview
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — bird nests guidance
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — MBTA regulations landing
• 16 U.S.C. § 703 (statute text via Cornell LII)

State, tribal & local law (within the U.S.)

In addition to federal rules, state, tribal, and municipal laws may protect certain species, habitats, seasons, or activities. You are responsible for rules in the specific place where you observe wildlife.

Using Hatched! responsibly

Hatched! does not encourage disturbance of birds or nests, trespass, or unsafe behavior. Map pins, photos, and directions can affect real animals, landowners, and enforcement. Consider limiting precision, delaying posts, or keeping sensitive nests non-public where appropriate.

Consult qualified counsel if you need guidance about field work, permits, liability, or enforcement.

Copyright & DMCA

If you believe content in the Services infringes your copyright, send a notice with the information required by applicable law (for U.S. claims, the DMCA) to jason@hammochapps.com.

We may remove or disable access to material when appropriate and may terminate repeat infringers where required. Counter-notice procedures may apply as required by law.

Disclaimers & limitation of liability

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES (EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY), INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE SERVICE, ACCURATE LOCATIONS, OR THAT CONTENT IS TRUE, SAFE, OR LAWFUL.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEITHER WE NOR OUR AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES. OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THE SERVICES IS LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR HATCHED! SUBSCRIPTIONS OR OTHER PAID FEATURES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR (B) U.S. $50.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; mandatory consumer rights still apply where required by law.

U.S. state privacy notices

Residents of California, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, and other states with consumer privacy laws may have additional rights regarding personal information Hammoch Apps processes through Hatched!. This section summarizes key disclosures for those frameworks; statutory terms (such as “sale” or “share”) are interpreted as defined in the law that applies to you.

California and similar state disclosures

• Categories of personal information collected: Identifiers (CloudKit user record, display name, email when you contact us); commercial information (subscription status); internet or network activity (limited to data processed by Apple on our behalf); geolocation (nest coordinates you provide); audio, electronic, visual, or similar information (photos, videos, text you submit); inference data used for moderation and product safety.
• Sensitive personal information: Precise geolocation of nests when you choose to tag coordinates. We use it only to provide Hatched! map features and as described in this policy.
• Business purposes: As described in Sections 2–5 of this Privacy Policy.
• Sale / sharing: Hammoch Apps does not sell personal information and does not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
• Your rights: Depending on your state, you may request access, deletion, correction, or appeal certain decisions. Submit requests by emailing jason@hammochapps.com with “Privacy rights request” in the subject line and enough detail for us to verify and fulfill the request.
• Authorized agents: If an authorized agent submits a request on your behalf, we may require proof of the agency relationship and may contact you to confirm the request when permitted by law.
• Appeals: If we deny a request where your state provides a right to appeal, reply to our decision email with “Appeal” in the subject line within the timeframe your state requires.

United States only

Hatched! is intended for use only within the United States by adults 18+. We do not advertise or support the Services for users in other countries. If you are not in the United States, do not use Hatched!. We may refuse service, remove content, or terminate accounts connected with prohibited non-U.S. use.

App Store distribution is configured for the United States storefront; availability elsewhere may change only if Hammoch Apps updates its offering.

Changes

We may update these disclosures from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new “Last updated” date and, where required, provide additional notice. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated terms unless applicable law requires otherwise.

Contact

Privacy & legal inquiries: jason@hammochapps.com
Support: jason@hammochapps.com