This Privacy Policy describes how ChowScan, operated by Plucore (“we,” “us,” or “our”), collects, uses, and protects your information when you use the ChowScan mobile application (“App”) and website at chowscan.com (“Website”).
1. Information We Collect
Information you provide voluntarily
If you create an account: email address and password (or third-party sign-in credentials via Google or Apple).
If you create a pet profile: pet name, species (dog or cat), breed, weight, age, neutered/intact status, and activity level. This information is used solely to personalize scoring and calorie calculations.
Information collected automatically
Device identifier: We generate a random anonymous device ID stored locally on your device. This ID is used to track your monthly scan count and is not linked to your identity. It is not an advertising identifier.
Scan data: When you scan a product, we record the barcode or OCR-parsed ingredient text, the score generated, and the timestamp. If you are logged in, scans are associated with your account. If you are not logged in, scans are associated with your anonymous device ID.
OCR text: When you scan a product label using the camera, the raw text recognized by on-device OCR may be saved to our database to improve product coverage. This text contains ingredient lists from pet food labels only — the camera is used exclusively for label scanning, not for capturing personal information.
Analytics data: We use PostHog to collect anonymized usage analytics including screens visited, features used, and app performance metrics. This data is aggregated and not linked to your identity.
Crash reports: We use Sentry to collect crash reports including device type, operating system version, and stack traces. Crash reports do not contain personal information.
Information we do NOT collect
We do not collect your name (unless you provide it in a pet profile), phone number, location, contacts, photos (camera is used only for real-time barcode/label scanning — images are processed on-device and not uploaded), browsing history, or advertising identifiers.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to: provide and operate the App, including generating ingredient scores and calorie calculations; enforce the monthly free scan limit (5 scans per calendar month for free users); sync scan history and pet profiles across devices for logged-in users; build and improve our product ingredient database from anonymized OCR scan data; analyze aggregated usage patterns to improve the App; diagnose and fix crashes and bugs; manage subscriptions via RevenueCat.
We do not use your information for advertising. We do not sell your information. We do not build advertising profiles.
3. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services: Supabase (account data, pet profiles, scan history, product data), RevenueCat (subscription status and app store user ID), Sentry (crash reports), PostHog (anonymized usage analytics), Google ML Kit (on-device text recognition only — no data leaves your device), Open Pet Food Facts (barcode numbers only).
We do not share data with advertisers, data brokers, or any parties not listed above.
4. Data Storage and Security
Account data, pet profiles, and scan history are stored on Supabase cloud infrastructure. Data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest. The anonymous device ID and monthly scan counter are stored locally on your device. The ingredient dictionary is stored locally on your device and does not require an internet connection. We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data, but no system is completely secure.
5. Data Retention
Account data and scan history: retained as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your data is deleted within 30 days.
Anonymous scan data (no account): retained indefinitely in aggregated form.
OCR-contributed product data: retained indefinitely as part of the product database (contains only ingredient lists, not personally identifiable information).
6. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, or withdraw consent. Contact us at hello@chowscan.com. We will respond within 30 days. If you do not have an account, we hold no personal data about you.
7. Children’s Privacy
ChowScan is not directed at children under 13 (or under 16 in the EU/EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
8. International Data Transfers
Your data may be processed in countries other than your own. By using ChowScan, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection laws.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App.
10. Contact
Email: hello@chowscan.com
Operator: Plucore, Dubai, United Arab Emirates