Privacy Policy

Your privacy is fundamental. IngrediList is built to keep your data yours.

Last Updated: October 2025

Our Commitment to Privacy

IngrediList is designed with privacy at its core. We believe your recipes, shopping habits, and culinary preferences are personal and should remain private. This policy explains how IngrediList handles your information.

In short: We process everything on your device. We don't collect personal data or share it with third parties.

1. Data Collection

On-Device Only

IngrediList processes all recipe data entirely on your device. We do not collect, transmit, or store:

  • ❌ Scanned recipes or text
  • ❌ Shopping lists or ingredients
  • ❌ Photos or images you scan
  • ❌ Your name or contact details
  • ❌ Location data
  • ❌ Browsing history

App Functionality Data (Stored Locally or in Your iCloud)

The following data is stored on your device or in your personal iCloud account:

  • ✓ App preferences (measurement system, settings toggles)
  • ✓ Selected default reminder list preference
  • ✓ Store cupboard items
  • ✓ Recipe scan history (stored locally only)
  • ✓ Subscription status (managed by Apple StoreKit)

This data:

  • Remains on your device or in your iCloud account
  • Is never transmitted to our servers (we have no servers)
  • We have no access to it
  • You control it entirely

Advertising Data (Collected by Google AdMob)

When ads are displayed, Google AdMob may collect:

  • ✓ Device advertising identifier (IDFA) - with your permission
  • ✓ Ad interaction data (clicks, views, conversions)
  • ✓ Device information (model, OS version)
  • ✓ General location data (country/region level)
  • ✓ App usage patterns related to ad performance

This data:

  • Is collected by Google AdMob, not by us
  • Is used to show relevant ads and measure performance
  • You can opt out via iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising
  • We have no access to this data

2. On-Device Processing

All artificial intelligence and optical character recognition (OCR) happens entirely on your iPhone or iPad using Apple's on-device Vision framework.

This means:

  • ✓ Your recipes never leave your device
  • ✓ No internet connection required for scanning
  • ✓ We have no servers storing your data
  • ✓ Even we, the developers, cannot see what you scan
  • ✓ Processing is private, fast, and secure

3. Apple Services Integration

Apple Reminders

IngrediList integrates with Apple Reminders to create shopping lists. When you add items to Reminders:

  • Shopping lists are stored in your personal iCloud account
  • We do not have access to your Reminders data
  • Apple's privacy policies apply
  • You can revoke access anytime in: iOS Settings → IngrediList → Reminders

iCloud Key-Value Storage

IngrediList uses Apple's iCloud Key-Value Storage to sync app preferences across your devices, including:

  • Your selected default reminder list
  • Store cupboard items
  • App settings and toggles

This data:

  • Is stored in your personal iCloud account
  • Is never accessible to us
  • Syncs only between your own devices
  • Can be disabled in: iOS Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → IngrediList

Learn more: Apple Privacy Policy

4. Third-Party Services

Advertising (Currently Active)

IngrediList includes advertising through Google AdMob to support app development and provide free access to core features.

Current Status: Ads are active and may be displayed to users.

Data Collection for Advertising:

  • Google AdMob may collect device advertising identifiers (with your permission via ATT)
  • Ad interaction and performance data may be collected by Google
  • We request permission via App Tracking Transparency (ATT) on first launch
  • You can opt out of personalized ads in iOS Settings
  • Ad-free subscriptions are available for users who prefer no ads

Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Google AdMob (Advertising)

IngrediList uses Google AdMob to display advertisements. This service:

  • May collect device advertising identifiers (IDFA) with your permission
  • Collects ad interaction data for performance measurement
  • Uses device information to show relevant ads
  • Operates under Google's privacy policy and data practices

Data collected by AdMob:

  • Device advertising identifier (if permission granted)
  • Ad views, clicks, and interactions
  • Device type and operating system
  • General geographic location (country/region)
  • App usage patterns related to advertising

You can:

  • Opt out of personalized ads in iOS Settings
  • Choose "Ask App Not to Track" when prompted
  • Purchase an ad-free subscription
  • Contact us to disable ads entirely

Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Analytics

IngrediList does not use third-party analytics services. We do not integrate with:

  • ❌ Google Analytics
  • ❌ Facebook Analytics
  • ❌ Crash reporting services that transmit data externally
  • ❌ Behavioral tracking or profiling services

We may add privacy-respecting, on-device analytics in future versions to improve the app. We will update this policy accordingly.

In-App Purchases

If you purchase a subscription, the transaction is handled entirely by Apple via the App Store:

  • We do not process or store payment information
  • Apple manages all billing and subscriptions
  • Apple's privacy policies apply

Learn more: Apple Privacy Policy

5. Permissions

IngrediList requests the following iOS permissions:

Camera

Purpose: To scan recipes from physical sources
When: First time you tap the camera button
Required: No - you can manually type ingredients instead

Photo Library

Purpose: To scan recipes from saved images
When: First time you choose "Photo Library"
Required: No - camera-only mode available

Reminders

Purpose: To add shopping lists to Apple Reminders
When: First time you tap "Add to Reminders"
Required: No - you can view lists in-app only

App Tracking Transparency (ATT)

Purpose: To request permission for personalized advertising
When: First app launch
Required: No - you can choose "Ask App Not to Track"
What it does: Allows Google AdMob to show personalized ads
You can change this anytime in: iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking

All permissions are optional. If denied, IngrediList will prompt you when the feature is needed. You can manage permissions in: iOS Settings → IngrediList

6. Data Retention

IngrediList Data

Because IngrediList does not collect or store data on external servers, there is nothing for us to retain.

All data exists solely:

  • On your device (app preferences, recipe history)
  • In your personal iCloud account (synced preferences, if enabled)

Google AdMob Data

Google AdMob may retain advertising data according to their privacy policy and data retention practices. You can learn more about their data retention at: https://policies.google.com/privacy

If you delete IngrediList:

  • All local app data is removed from your device
  • Your Reminders lists remain in your iCloud account (managed by Apple)
  • Your iCloud preferences are deleted after 30 days (Apple policy)
  • Google AdMob data retention is governed by Google's policies

7. Your Rights (GDPR & Privacy Laws)

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and similar privacy laws, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Rectify inaccurate data
  • Delete your data
  • Object to data processing
  • Data portability
  • Withdraw consent

IngrediList Data

Since IngrediList does not collect personal data on external servers, these rights are automatically fulfilled—there is no data for us to access, rectify, or delete. You have complete control over all data on your device and iCloud.

Google AdMob Data

For data collected by Google AdMob, you can exercise your rights through:

  • iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising (opt out of personalized ads)
  • Google's privacy controls: https://myaccount.google.com/privacy
  • Contact Google directly regarding their data practices

8. Children's Privacy

IngrediList does not knowingly collect data from children under 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction).

Our Data Collection

Because we collect no personal data at all, IngrediList is safe for users of all ages and meets all children's privacy requirements under COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and similar regulations.

Third-Party Data Collection

Google AdMob may collect data from users of all ages, including children. Parents can:

  • Disable personalized ads in iOS Settings
  • Choose "Ask App Not to Track" when prompted
  • Contact us to disable ads entirely for their child's account

Age Rating: 4+ (suitable for all ages)

9. International Users

IngrediList is available worldwide. Because all processing happens on your device:

  • ✓ No data is transferred across borders
  • ✓ No data residency concerns
  • ✓ Compliant with data localization laws
  • ✓ No "data controllers" or "processors" beyond Apple

Users in the European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and California benefit from enhanced privacy protections under local laws. IngrediList's on-device architecture inherently complies with these regulations.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes in app features
  • Legal requirements
  • Industry best practices

If we make significant changes, we will notify you via:

  • In-app message or banner
  • App Store update notes
  • Email (if you've contacted us)

We will never reduce your privacy protections without notice.

11. Security

IngrediList uses industry-standard security practices:

  • All on-device processing (most secure)
  • Apple's secure frameworks (Vision, StoreKit, CloudKit)
  • No personal data transmission by us
  • Google AdMob for advertising (with your permission)

Your data is as secure as your iPhone—which is to say, very secure.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or IngrediList's privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: help@ingrediList.app
Website: ingrediList.app/support

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.

Summary

IngrediList is a privacy-first app:

  • ✅ All processing on your device
  • ✅ No personal data collection by us
  • ✅ Google AdMob for advertising (with your permission)
  • ✅ Apple's privacy protections apply
  • ✅ You control all your data
  • ✅ Compliant with GDPR, CCPA, COPPA

Your recipes are yours. Always.

Privacy Policy URL: ingrediList.app/privacy
Last Updated: October 2025
Effective: Upon app launch