Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 5, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how ShelfAware (“we”, “us”, or “the app”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our mobile application. We are committed to handling your information responsibly and in line with this policy and applicable laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where it applies.

1. Information we collect

Depending on how you use ShelfAware, we may process the following categories of information:

Items and lists you track. Names, expiry dates, categories, quantities, notes, grocery lists, and similar data you enter or import (including via barcode or document scan).
App preferences. Language, country, currency, notification settings, theme, and other choices you configure in the app.
Account identifiers (optional). If you sign in with Google for backup or related features, we may process your Google account email or identifiers as needed to provide that feature and display which account is linked.
Diagnostics and usage (optional). Aggregated or technical data such as crash reports, performance metrics, and product analytics to improve stability and features, typically collected through platform and third-party SDKs described below. In the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (UK), we ask for your consent before enabling analytics where required by law.
Advertising data (free tier). If you use the free version of the app, our advertising partner may collect or receive device identifiers, ad interaction data, and related technical information to serve and measure ads. In the EEA/UK we request your consent for personalized advertising where required; you may still see non-personalized ads or no ads if you decline.
AI scan content (when you use scan features). When you use camera-based or label-scanning features, images and extracted text from labels may be sent to cloud AI processing services to identify products and expiry information. We do not use scan content for unrelated marketing purposes.
Product lookup requests. When you use barcode or nutrition-related features, product identifiers (e.g. barcodes) may be sent to third-party product databases to retrieve public product information.
Voice input (optional). If you use voice entry, speech may be processed on your device or through your device’s speech-recognition services to convert spoken words into item details. We do not store voice recordings separately from the text you choose to save.
Affiliate and outbound link interactions. If you tap shopping or sponsored links shown in the app, the destination retailer or partner may receive standard technical information (such as referral parameters) according to their own policies.

2. How and where data is stored

On your device. Core inventory, preferences, and most app data are stored locally on your device using Android storage mechanisms.
Optional Google Drive backup. If you enable backup, you may choose to store exports or backups in your own Google Drive (or connected Google account). We do not operate a separate “ShelfAware cloud” for your full inventory unless described in-app for a specific feature.
Cloud services. Some data is processed on servers operated by Google (Firebase, Play Billing, Google Sign-In), advertising partners when ads are shown, cloud AI providers when you use scan features, and other services listed below, strictly as needed to run those features.

3. Third-party services

We integrate services that may collect or receive information according to their own policies:

Google Firebase — may be used for authentication, remote configuration, analytics, and related infrastructure.
Google AdMob — may serve ads and measure ad performance on the free tier.
Google Play — processes purchases, subscriptions, and donation payments when you buy premium features or support the app.
Google Sign-In and Google Drive — used when you optionally sign in or back up data to your own Google account.
Open product databases (such as Open Food Facts and similar services) — used to look up public nutrition or product metadata when you use barcode or nutrition features.
Cloud AI processing — used when you choose AI-assisted scanning features to interpret label images and text.
Retail and affiliate partners — when you follow sponsored or shopping links from the app.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of Google and other services you connect. We do not sell your personal information.

4. How we use your information

To provide tracking, reminders, scanning, grocery suggestions, and other in-app features.
To sync or back up data when you explicitly use Google Drive or sign-in features.
To improve reliability, fix crashes, and understand aggregate usage patterns (with consent where required).
To show and measure advertising on the free tier (with consent where required).
To comply with law, enforce our terms, and protect rights and safety.

5. Advertising, analytics, and your choices

The free tier of ShelfAware may display ads. We use Google’s User Messaging Platform (UMP) in regions where consent is required (including the EEA and UK) so you can accept or decline personalized advertising and related data uses before ads and analytics are fully enabled.

You can change ad preferences at any time from Settings → Manage ad preferences where available.
If you decline personalized ads, we request non-personalized ads or limit ad loading where technically possible.
Premium subscribers do not see in-app advertising from ShelfAware.
You may also use Android device settings (e.g. “Opt out of Ads Personalization”) in addition to in-app controls.

6. Affiliate and sponsored links

ShelfAware may display shopping suggestions or sponsored links to third-party retailers. These links may use affiliate or referral parameters so we may receive a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We do not control third-party sites and are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Affiliate links are disclosed in-app where shown.

7. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under laws such as the GDPR (EEA/UK) or CCPA/CPRA (California and similar U.S. state laws), including:

Access — request a copy of personal information we hold where applicable.
Portability — receive your data in a structured, commonly used format where applicable.
Correction or deletion — update or delete data in the app. Use Settings → Privacy & Data → Delete all my data (or Backup → Clear all data) to permanently erase inventory, settings, local backup files, Google Drive app backups, your contributions to a shared family grocery list, and linked account data on this device. You can also clear app data, uninstall the app, or revoke Google access from your Google Account settings.
Export — use in-app export or backup features (e.g. CSV/Drive) where available to take your data with you.
Withdraw consent — where processing is consent-based (such as personalized ads or analytics in the EEA/UK), you may withdraw consent via in-app ad preferences, disable Usage analytics in Settings, or by contacting us.
Object or restrict processing — where applicable, you may object to certain processing or ask us to restrict it.
Opt-out of sale/sharing (U.S.) — we do not sell personal information.

EEA/UK users. Our legal bases may include contract (providing the service), legitimate interests (security, improvement), and consent for personalized advertising and analytics where required. You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have not handled your data lawfully.

California residents. You may have the right to know, delete, and correct certain personal information, and to limit use of sensitive personal information where applicable. Contact us using the email below to exercise these rights. We will not discriminate for exercising your privacy rights.

8. Children

ShelfAware is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have done so, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

9. International transfers

If you use the app from outside the country where our service providers operate, your information may be transferred to and processed in other countries (including the United States) where laws may differ. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or provider certifications.

10. Retention

We retain information only as long as needed for the purposes above, unless a longer period is required by law. Local data remains on your device until you delete it, use in-app deletion, or remove the app. Cloud backups in your Google Drive app folder are removed when you use in-app deletion while signed in. Shared family grocery entries you added may be removed from our servers when you delete your data in the app. Server-side logs or analytics may be retained for shorter periods according to provider defaults.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the new “Last updated” date at the top. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy where permitted by law. Where required, we will seek your consent for material changes.

12. Contact

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at:
supportselfaware@gmail.com