🔒 Privacy Policy

SmartScan AI - Image to Text

Last Updated: July 13, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to SmartScan AI - Image to Text ("we," "our," "us," or the "App"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how our App handles your data when you use our services.

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our App and describes the types of information we may collect or that you may provide when you use the App, and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information.

2. Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be completely transparent. Our App itself does NOT collect any of the following:

• ❌ Personal information (name, email, phone number, address)
• ❌ Images or photographs from your camera or gallery
• ❌ Scanned documents or their contents
• ❌ Extracted or recognized text (OCR results)
• ❌ QR code or barcode scan results
• ❌ Translated text content
• ❌ Business card information
• ❌ Location data (GPS, network-based, or otherwise)
• ❌ Contact lists or call logs
• ❌ Financial or payment information
• ❌ Biometric data
• ❌ Audio or voice recordings

3. How the App Works

SmartScan AI processes all core functionality data locally on your device. Here's how each feature handles your data:

Feature	Data Processing	Data Storage
Image to Text (OCR)	Processed on-device using Google ML Kit (on-device)	Saved locally on your device only
Document Scanner	Processed on-device	Saved locally on your device only
QR/Barcode Scanner	Processed on-device using ML Kit	History saved locally on your device only
Image Compressor	Processed on-device	Saved locally on your device only
Text Translation	Uses on-device ML Kit models (downloaded once)	Saved locally on your device only
Handwriting Recognition	Processed on-device	Saved locally on your device only
Image to PDF	Processed on-device	Saved locally on your device only
Business Card Scanner	Processed on-device	Saved locally on your device only

4. App Permissions

Our App requests only the minimum permissions necessary to provide its core functionality. Each permission is requested only when you actively use a feature that requires it:

Permission	Purpose	When Requested
Camera	To capture images for text recognition, document scanning, QR/barcode scanning, and business card scanning	Only when you tap the camera button
Read Media Images / Read External Storage	To access images from your gallery for text extraction, compression, or PDF conversion	Only when you choose to select an image from gallery
Write External Storage (Android 9 and below)	To save processed files (PDFs, compressed images, QR codes) to your device storage	Only when you save a file
Internet / Network Access	Required for displaying advertisements (Google AdMob) and downloading translation language models	Automatic (required for ads)
AD_ID (Advertising ID)	Used by Google AdMob to serve personalized or non-personalized advertisements	Automatic (required for ads)

5. On-Device Processing Technology

Our App uses Google ML Kit (On-Device) for the following functionalities:

• Text Recognition (OCR): ML Kit's on-device text recognition API processes images entirely on your device without sending any data to Google's servers.
• Barcode/QR Scanning: ML Kit's on-device barcode scanning API processes camera frames locally.
• Translation: ML Kit's on-device translation downloads language models to your device. Once downloaded, all translations are performed offline without any internet connection.

6. Local Data Storage

All data generated by the App's core features is stored exclusively on your device:

• Scan History: Stored in a local database (Room Database) on your device.
• App Settings/Preferences: Stored locally using Android DataStore.
• Saved Files: PDFs, compressed images, and QR codes are saved to your device's local storage.
• Translation Models: Downloaded language models are stored on your device for offline use.
• Ad Preferences: Your ad consent choice is stored locally on your device.

You have full control over this data. You can delete your scan history, clear the cache, or delete saved files at any time through the App's Settings screen or by clearing the App's data from your device settings.

7. Third-Party Services

Our App uses the following third-party services:

7.1 Google ML Kit (On-Device)

We use Google ML Kit for on-device text recognition, barcode scanning, and translation. These APIs process data entirely on your device. Google's ML Kit on-device APIs do not send your data to Google servers.

• Google ML Kit Terms of Service

7.2 Google AdMob (Advertising)

We use Google AdMob to display advertisements in the App. AdMob is a mobile advertising platform provided by Google LLC. Please see Section 8 for detailed information about advertising and data collection by AdMob.

• Google Privacy Policy
• Google AdMob & AdSense Policy
• Google Advertising Policies

7.3 Google Play Services

The App uses Google Play Services for basic functionality and ad delivery. Google Play Services has its own privacy policy: Google Privacy Policy.

8. Advertising (Google AdMob) 📢

8.1 What is Google AdMob?

Our App displays advertisements provided by Google AdMob, a mobile advertising platform operated by Google LLC. These advertisements help us keep the App free for all users. AdMob may display the following types of ads:

• Banner Ads: Small ads displayed at the top or bottom of the screen.
• Interstitial Ads: Full-screen ads displayed at natural transition points in the App.
• Rewarded Ads: Ads that users can choose to watch in exchange for in-app benefits.
• Native Ads: Ads that match the look and feel of the App's content.

8.2 Data Collected by Google AdMob

Google AdMob may collect and process the following information to serve advertisements and measure ad performance:

Data Type	Purpose	Collected By
Advertising ID (Ad ID)	To serve personalized ads and measure ad performance	Google AdMob
Device Information	Device model, OS version, screen size, language settings	Google AdMob
IP Address	Approximate location for relevant ads, fraud prevention	Google AdMob
Ad Interaction Data	Clicks, views, impressions on advertisements	Google AdMob
App Usage Data	App activity related to ad display (not your scans or documents)	Google AdMob
Crash/Diagnostics Logs	Ad SDK performance and stability	Google AdMob

8.3 Personalized vs. Non-Personalized Ads

Our App supports both personalized and non-personalized advertisements:

• Personalized Ads: Google AdMob may use your Advertising ID and other data to show you advertisements that are relevant to your interests. This is based on your activity across Google services and partner apps.
• Non-Personalized Ads: If you opt out of personalized advertising, you will still see ads, but they will not be based on your interests or past activity. Non-personalized ads are based on contextual information such as your general location (country/region) and the content of the App.

8.4 Ad Consent (EEA, UK & Applicable Regions)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom (UK), and other regions where consent is required by law:

• Our App displays a consent dialog (powered by Google's User Messaging Platform - UMP) before showing personalized ads.
• You can choose to consent or decline personalized advertising.
• If you decline, you will still see non-personalized ads.
• You can change your consent choice at any time from the App's Settings → Ad Preferences.

8.5 How to Opt Out of Personalized Ads

You can control personalized advertising through the following methods:

• In-App: Go to Settings → Ad Preferences → Choose "Non-Personalized Ads"
• Device Settings: Go to your Android device Settings → Google → Ads → "Opt out of Ads Personalization" or "Delete Advertising ID"
• Google Account: Visit Google Ads Settings to manage your ad preferences across Google services
• Reset Advertising ID: You can reset your Advertising ID from your device's Google settings at any time

8.6 Ad-Related Data Retention by Google

Data collected by Google AdMob is retained by Google in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy. We (the App developer) do not have access to any individual user data collected by AdMob. We only receive aggregated, anonymized reports about ad performance (total impressions, clicks, estimated revenue, etc.).

8.7 Ad Content

We do not control the specific content of advertisements displayed by Google AdMob. If you see an inappropriate ad, you can:

• Tap the "Ad" icon or "i" (info) button on the ad to report it to Google
• Contact us at the email provided in the Contact section

9. Internet Usage

The App uses internet connection for the following purposes:

• Displaying Advertisements: Google AdMob requires an active internet connection to load and display ads. This is the primary use of internet in our App.
• Downloading Translation Models: When you use the translation feature for the first time with a new language, the App downloads the language model (one-time download). After downloading, translations work completely offline.
• Ad Consent Management: Loading the consent form for users in regions that require ad consent (EEA/UK).
• App Updates: Through the Google Play Store (managed by Google Play, not by our App).

10. Children's Privacy

Our App is NOT directed to children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Our App is NOT tagged as "Designed for Families" or "Teacher Approved" on the Google Play Store. The advertisements displayed in our App are NOT configured for child-directed treatment.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has been using our App, please note that no personal data is collected by the App itself. However, Google AdMob may collect device-level data as described in Section 8. You can manage this through your device's advertising settings.

If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information through our App, please contact us immediately at the email address provided in the Contact section.

11. Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously. Here are the measures in place:

For App-Processed Data (On-Device):

• All core data processing occurs on your device
• Data is protected by your device's built-in security (encryption, screen lock, app sandboxing)
• Scoped storage (Android 10+) provides additional isolation
• No sensitive data is transmitted to external servers

For Ad-Related Data (Google AdMob):

• All communication between the App and Google's ad servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
• Google implements industry-standard security measures to protect collected data
• We do not have access to individual user data collected by AdMob

We recommend keeping your device's operating system and security patches up to date for optimal security.

12. Your Rights (GDPR, CCPA & Global Privacy Laws)

We respect your privacy rights under all applicable laws including GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), and other global privacy regulations:

Your Right	How to Exercise
Right to Know / Access	Our App collects no personal data. AdMob data can be reviewed via Google Account Settings
Right to Delete	Delete local data via App Settings → Clear History/Cache. For AdMob data, use Google Account or reset your Advertising ID
Right to Opt-Out of Sale	We do not sell data. For ad personalization opt-out, see Section 8.5
Right to Non-Discrimination	All users receive the same App features regardless of privacy choices
Right to Portability	Your saved files (PDFs, images, text) are in standard formats and freely transferable
Right to Rectification	Edit extracted text and scan history within the App at any time
Right to Restrict Processing	Opt out of personalized ads via Settings → Ad Preferences
Right to Withdraw Consent	Change ad consent at any time via Settings → Ad Preferences (EEA/UK users)

To exercise any of these rights or for any privacy-related inquiries, please contact us at the email address provided in the Contact section.

13. Data Retention

App Data (On-Device):

All app data is stored locally on your device. Data retention is entirely under your control:

• You can delete individual scan records from the history
• You can clear all history from the Settings screen
• You can clear the App cache from the Settings screen
• Uninstalling the App will remove all app-related data from your device
• Files saved to shared storage (Downloads, Documents) remain after uninstallation

Advertising Data (Google AdMob):

Data collected by Google AdMob is retained according to Google's data retention policies. You can manage and delete your Google advertising data through your Google Account settings.

14. Do Not Track Signals

Our App itself does not track users. However, Google AdMob may respond to "Do Not Track" signals or similar mechanisms. You can manage tracking preferences through your device's advertising settings and Google Account settings.

15. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our App does not use cookies. However, Google AdMob may use device identifiers (such as Advertising ID) and similar technologies to serve and measure advertisements. These technologies are managed by Google and are subject to Google's Cookies Policy.

16. Data Sharing & Disclosure

Data may be shared only in the following limited circumstances:

• Google AdMob: Device-level information is shared with Google AdMob for the purpose of serving advertisements, as described in Section 8. This is an automated process managed by the AdMob SDK.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental regulation. However, since we do not collect personal data, we would have nothing to disclose.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, this Privacy Policy would continue to apply to your data.

We do NOT share: Your scanned images, extracted text, documents, QR code data, business card information, or any content you process within the App with any third party.

17. International Data Transfers

Our App processes all core data on your device locally. However, Google AdMob may transfer ad-related data to servers located outside your country or jurisdiction, including to the United States and other countries where Google operates. These transfers are protected by Google's data protection measures, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) for transfers from the EEA/UK.

For more information, see Google's Privacy Frameworks.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Significant changes will be notified through an in-app notification or update notes on Google Play Store
• If we introduce new types of data collection, we will obtain consent where required by law
• Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

19. Regulatory Compliance

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with:

• GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation (European Union)
• CCPA / CPRA - California Consumer Privacy Act / California Privacy Rights Act (California, USA)
• COPPA - Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (USA)
• Google Play Developer Program Policies
• Google AdMob Policies
• EU ePrivacy Directive (Cookie Law)
• PIPEDA - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada)
• LGPD - Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (Brazil)
• POPIA - Protection of Personal Information Act (South Africa)
• PDPA - Personal Data Protection Act (Singapore, Thailand)
• DPDPA - Digital Personal Data Protection Act (India)

20. App Uninstallation

When you uninstall SmartScan AI from your device:

• All app data, including scan history, settings, and cached files, will be permanently deleted
• Downloaded translation language models will be removed
• Ad consent preferences will be removed
• Files you explicitly saved to shared storage (e.g., Downloads folder) will NOT be deleted
• Any data collected by Google AdMob prior to uninstallation is retained by Google per their retention policy and can be managed through your Google Account

21. Open Source Libraries

Our App may use open-source libraries that are subject to their own licenses. These libraries do not collect any user data. A list of open-source licenses used can be found in the App's Settings → About section.

22. Additional Information for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA:

• Right to Know: You can request information about what personal data is collected. Our App does not collect personal data. AdMob may collect device identifiers as described in Section 8.
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of personal data. Reset your Advertising ID or contact Google for AdMob-related data.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do NOT sell or share personal information. Google AdMob's data practices are governed by Google's Privacy Policy.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
• Shine the Light: We do not disclose personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

Categories of Personal Information Collected (via AdMob): Device identifiers (Advertising ID), Internet/network activity (ad interactions), Geolocation (approximate, via IP address).

Categories of Personal Information Sold or Shared: None. We do not sell or share personal information.

23. Additional Information for EEA/UK Residents (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom:

• Legal Basis for Processing: For ad-related data, the legal basis is your consent (obtained through the consent dialog) or legitimate interest for non-personalized ads.
• Data Controller: For App data, we are the data controller (though we collect no data). For AdMob data, Google LLC acts as an independent data controller.
• Data Protection Officer: For AdMob-related data inquiries, contact Google's Data Protection Office at Google Privacy Contact.
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority (DPA).

24. Contact Us

25. Consent

By downloading, installing, and using SmartScan AI - Image to Text, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our App.

For users in regions where explicit consent is required for personalized advertising (EEA/UK), a separate consent dialog will be presented within the App. You may change your advertising consent at any time through the App's Settings.

26. Privacy Policy Summary