Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 25, 2025  |  Last Updated: April 1, 2026

BiteScout ("we," "our," or "us") operates the BiteScout mobile application (the "App") and the website at bitescout.ai (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App and Site. Please read this policy carefully. By using BiteScout, you agree to the practices described herein.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Account Information: If you subscribe to BiteScout Pro, we collect your Apple ID transaction information as processed by Apple. We do not directly collect your name, email address, or payment card details.
• User Profile: You may optionally set a username and country for community reviews. This is stored locally on your device and included with reviews you submit.
• Community Reviews: If you submit a product review, it is stored on our servers (Amazon DynamoDB) along with your device identifier, username, country code, star rating, and comment. Reviews are visible to all users.
• Dietary Preferences: If you set dietary preferences (e.g., Vegan, Gluten-Free, Halal), these are stored locally on your device and are not transmitted to any server.
• Support Communications: If you contact us for support, we may collect your email address and the content of your message.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Barcode Scan Data: When you scan a product barcode, the barcode number is sent to third-party product databases to retrieve product information. Scan history and favorites are stored locally on your device.
• Product Search Queries: When you search for products by name, your search terms are sent to the Open Food Facts API to retrieve results.
• Camera Images: The App accesses your device camera to scan barcodes, pill bottle labels, and ingredient lists. Images are processed on-device using Apple's Vision framework and are not transmitted to our servers or stored by us.
• Offline Cache: Recently scanned products are cached locally on your device for offline access. This data is not transmitted to any server.
• Device Information: We may collect device type, operating system version, app version, and anonymous usage analytics to improve the App.
• Usage Data: We collect anonymized, aggregate usage statistics such as number of scans, features used, and crash reports.

1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do not collect your location data.
• We do not collect or store photographs or camera images.
• We do not collect health or medical records.
• We do not require you to create an account to use the free version of the App.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the App and its features
• Look up product information from third-party databases when you scan a barcode
• Look up drug and medicine information from the FDA database when you scan a pill bottle
• Process and manage your subscription through Apple's in-app purchase system
• Analyze anonymized usage trends to improve the App
• Diagnose technical problems and fix bugs
• Respond to your support requests

3. Third-Party Services and Data Sources

BiteScout retrieves product information from the following third-party services:

• Open Food Facts (openfoodfacts.org) — open-source food product database (ODbL license)
• Open Beauty Facts (openbeautyfacts.org) — open-source beauty product database (ODbL license)
• openFDA (open.fda.gov) — U.S. FDA drug labeling database (public domain)
• Amazon Web Services (DynamoDB via API Gateway) — stores community product reviews. No AWS credentials are stored in the app.

When you scan a barcode or pill label, the barcode number or extracted text is sent to these services to retrieve product information. These services have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them.

We may use Apple's App Store for in-app purchases and subscription management. Apple processes all payment information directly; we do not have access to your payment details.

4. Data Storage and Security

• Local Storage: Your scan history, favorites, dietary preferences, offline cache, and settings are stored locally on your device using iOS standard storage (UserDefaults).
• Cloud Storage: Community reviews are stored on our servers (Amazon DynamoDB). Reviews include your device identifier, optional username, country code, star rating, and comment text. No other data is uploaded to our servers.
• Security: We implement commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the information we process. However, no electronic transmission or storage method is 100% secure.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

We may disclose information only in the following circumstances:

• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or governmental request.
• Safety: To protect the rights, property, or safety of BiteScout, our users, or the public.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, in which case you would be notified of any change in ownership or use of your information.

6. Children's Privacy

BiteScout is designed to be used by families, including parents scanning products for their children. However, the App is not directed at children under 13 years of age, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@bitescout.ai.

7. Your Rights and Choices

7.1 All Users

• Camera Access: You can revoke camera permission at any time in your device's Settings. The barcode scanning feature will not function without camera access.
• Scan History: You can delete your scan history at any time within the App.
• Notifications: You can manage notification preferences in your device's Settings.

7.2 European Economic Area (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction or deletion of your personal data
• Object to or restrict processing of your personal data
• Data portability
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

Our legal basis for processing is legitimate interest (providing the App's functionality) and consent (where applicable).

7.3 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect and how it is used
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt out of the sale of personal information — we do not sell personal information
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

8. Data Retention

Since scan history and preferences are stored locally on your device, data retention is under your control. Deleting the App removes all locally stored data. Anonymized, aggregate analytics data may be retained indefinitely for product improvement purposes.

9. International Data Transfers

Product lookups may involve sending barcode numbers to servers located outside your country of residence (e.g., Open Food Facts servers in France, openFDA servers in the United States). By using the App, you consent to this transfer. No personal data is included in these lookups — only barcode numbers or product identifiers.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, through an in-app notification. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@bitescout.ai
• Website: https://bitescout.ai