Rules for using the application
1. About photos
You can upload photos of any animal or plant you have found in nature. Please do not upload photos of books, drawings or toys. Use the main camera of your cell phone. You can also use photos from a digital camera, if you can put the location and time correctly.
2. Photos of people are not allowed
This application is for sharing photos of animals and plants. Help us create a nice nature collection!
3. Be careful when uploading photos of processed animals or plants
Some plants and animals may be prepared as food, and such processing may impact the results of AI species identification. Still, you can upload photos that show parts of the organism, such as the inside of a fruit or seed, if it helps to better understand the species. In those cases, you also need to put the location and time.
4. Avoid uploading photos of fungi and lichens
For now, we do not identify fungi and lichens. Some fungi can be dangerous because they release spores into the air and that can affect your health. For safety reasons, we do not use these photos in the app.
5. Photos of subspecies or varieties
In our encyclopedia (Biopedia), we cannot include all the names of subspecies or varieties because there are too many. But you can upload them by typing the word “cultivar” after the species name.
6. Always upload photos with location
Our artificial intelligence needs to know where the photo was taken to identify the species well. If the photo does not have a location, you can add it manually when uploading. Without location, it cannot be published in the application.
7. You can post photos without knowing the species name
No problem if you don’t know what species it is! You can check the “Ask for suggestion” option, and other people will help you find out. If you put the wrong name by mistake, it’s okay. We want the app to be useful even for those who don’t know much about plants or animals.
8. If you see a misidentification
If you know the correct name for a misidentified species, you can suggest it. You can also report the publication as “Incorrect identification”, and our team will check it. Please do not criticize or insult in the comments.
9. If you see inappropriate content
Report the post. Our team will review it and take the necessary actions. Avoid responding with offensive comments.
Best practices when using the application
Do not ask for “likes”
For everyone to enjoy the application, please do not ask or pressure other users to “like” your photos. We want to maintain a friendly and respectful environment, thank you for understanding!
Inappropriate comments and suggestions
Avoid making jokes, comments with double meanings or rude words. Children also use this app, so we will be strict with disrespectful comments. If you see something like this, report it to our support team.
Photographing bird nests and hatchlings
Many birds may abandon their nests if we approach them while they are caring for their young. Even if they return, the eggs or chicks may cool and die. So if you see a nest, don’t get too close, don’t flash, and don’t stay too long. Watch from a distance and for a short time. We want everyone to be able to enjoy nature without harming it. Thank you for your help!
If you have any questions or suggestions, please write to us at: app-support@biome.co.jp
Biome Inc.