📌 Short version: FoodLens is designed to work entirely on your device. We do not create accounts, collect personal data, or sell any information. The only external network calls are (1) barcode lookups via Open Food Facts, and (2) optional ad delivery for free users via Google AdMob.
Table of Contents
1. Who We Are
FoodLens ("the App") is developed and published by MJAndroid Dev ("we", "our", "us"), an independent Android developer. For any privacy-related queries, you may contact us at mjandroiddev@gmail.com.
This Privacy Policy explains what information the FoodLens application collects, how it is used, and your rights regarding that information.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information We Do NOT Collect
FoodLens does not collect or transmit any of the following to our servers:
- Your name, email address, or any personal identity information
- Photographs or images you scan
- Ingredient text you type or scan
- Your scan history or health profile selections
- Your device's precise or approximate location
- Contacts, calendar, or other personal data
- Advertising identifiers (except through AdMob — see Section 5)
We operate no servers or databases that hold any user-identifiable information.
2.2 Information Stored Locally on Your Device
The following data is stored only in your device's local storage (Android DataStore and Room database) and never transmitted to us:
- Scan history: product names, raw ingredient text, analysis results, and timestamps
- User preferences: selected diet types, allergens, health goals, health profile conditions, and language preference
- Monetization state: daily scan count (reset each day), Pro subscription status (cached locally)
All of this data is stored on-device and can be deleted at any time by you (see Section 11).
3. Camera & Image Access
FoodLens requests the following permissions:
| Permission | Why It's Used | Sent to Server? |
|---|---|---|
CAMERA |
To take photos of food labels and scan barcodes using the device camera | No – processed on-device only |
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES / READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE |
To let you pick an existing photo from your gallery for label scanning | No – processed on-device only |
INTERNET |
Barcode lookups (Open Food Facts API) and ad delivery (AdMob, free users only) | Only barcode number and ad-related data (see Sections 5 & 7) |
⚠️ Images captured or selected are processed entirely on your device using Google ML Kit's on-device OCR. No images are uploaded to any server by FoodLens.
4. Third-Party Services
FoodLens integrates with the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy which governs their data practices:
| Service | Purpose | Data Sent | Their Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google ML Kit | On-device OCR (text recognition) and barcode scanning | Nothing – fully on-device | Google ML Kit Terms |
| Google AdMob | Banner and interstitial ads for free users | Device identifiers for ad targeting (see Section 5) | Google Privacy Policy |
| Google Play Billing | In-app purchases (Pro subscriptions & lifetime) | Handled by Google Play, not by FoodLens | Play Terms of Service |
| Open Food Facts | Barcode product lookup (Pro feature) | The barcode number only | Open Food Facts Privacy |
5. Google AdMob & Advertising
Free users see banner and interstitial advertisements delivered by Google AdMob (a Google LLC service). FoodLens does not itself collect any advertising data; however, Google AdMob may collect the following on its own behalf:
- Android Advertising ID (AAID) – used for personalised ad targeting
- Device information (model, OS version, screen size)
- IP address (used to determine approximate region)
- App usage signals (for ad frequency capping)
AdMob data collection and ad personalisation are governed entirely by Google's Privacy Policy.
5.1 Opting Out of Personalised Ads
You can opt out of personalised advertising at any time via your device settings:
- Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalisation
- You can also reset your Advertising ID from the same menu.
5.2 Pro Users
Pro subscribers see no advertisements in FoodLens. AdMob is not initialised for any ad-serving function when the Pro status is active.
6. Google Play Billing
FoodLens offers in-app purchases through Google Play Billing:
- Monthly Pro subscription (auto-renewing)
- Yearly Pro subscription (auto-renewing)
- Lifetime Pro (one-time purchase)
All payment processing is handled entirely by Google Play. FoodLens does not receive, store, or process any payment card details, billing addresses, or financial information. Purchase verification is done through Google Play's server-side receipt validation.
For billing issues, subscriptions management, or refunds, please use:
- Google Play app → Profile → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions
- Or visit play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions
7. Open Food Facts API
When you use the Barcode Scan feature (Pro), FoodLens sends the numeric barcode value to the Open Food Facts public API (world.openfoodfacts.org) to retrieve product name and ingredient data.
- What is sent: The barcode number only (e.g.,
8901058000842) - What is received: Product name and ingredients text (if the product exists in the database)
- Open Food Facts is a non-profit public database. Their data handling is governed by their privacy policy.
- FoodLens does not transmit your IP address to Open Food Facts beyond what is standard for any HTTP request.
Once fetched, the ingredient data is processed entirely on-device. It is not stored on any FoodLens server.
8. Local Data Storage
All user data generated by FoodLens is stored locally on your device using:
- Room Database (SQLite): Scan history (product name, raw text, analysis result JSON, timestamp)
- DataStore Preferences (Protobuf): User preferences (diet, allergens, health goals, language), monetisation state (daily scan count, Pro status), and app settings
This data is stored in the app's private storage directory, accessible only to FoodLens. It is not backed up to Google Drive unless you have enabled Android's automatic app data backup in your device settings (in which case, the backup is governed by Google's backup privacy terms).
To disable automatic backup for FoodLens only, go to: Settings → Google → Backup → App data and toggle off FoodLens.
9. Children's Privacy
FoodLens is intended for users aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information through the App, please contact us at mjandroiddev@gmail.com and we will take appropriate steps to delete that information.
As FoodLens does not collect personal information, the risk to children's privacy is minimal. However, the dietary and ingredient analysis features are designed for adult use and parental guidance is recommended for younger users.
10. Your Rights
Because FoodLens stores all data locally on your device and does not transmit personal data to us, you have full control over your data at all times.
10.1 Indian Users (DPDP Act 2023)
Under India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, you have the right to:
- Access data we hold about you – all data is on your device; FoodLens holds none
- Correct inaccurate personal data – edit preferences and history directly in the App
- Erase your personal data – use "Clear All Data" in Settings (see Section 11)
- Withdraw consent for ad personalisation – via Android Ads settings (see Section 5.1)
10.2 European Users (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have rights under GDPR. As FoodLens does not collect or process personal data on our servers, most GDPR obligations fall on Google (for AdMob/Play data). We remain committed to facilitating any requests and can be reached at mjandroiddev@gmail.com.
11. Data Deletion
You can delete all FoodLens data from your device at any time:
Option A — In-App (Recommended)
- Open FoodLens
- Go to Settings (gear icon in the top right of the home screen)
- Scroll to the Privacy section
- Tap "Clear All Data" and confirm
This clears: scan history, all preferences, daily scan counters, and cached Pro status.
Option B — Via Android Settings
- Go to your device Settings → Apps → FoodLens
- Tap Storage & cache
- Tap Clear Storage (this also resets the app)
Option C — Uninstall
Uninstalling FoodLens removes all locally stored data. Note: if you have Android's automatic backup enabled, a copy may exist in Google Drive. Delete it via: Google Drive → Backups → [Your Device] → FoodLens.
Online Deletion Request
If you have a data-related concern (e.g., about AdMob data), contact us at mjandroiddev@gmail.com and we will direct you to the appropriate Google process.
12. Security
Since FoodLens stores all data locally on your device, it inherits the security protections provided by the Android operating system:
- App data is stored in the app's private directory, inaccessible to other apps (without root access)
- The device's lock screen PIN/biometric protection also protects FoodLens data
- All network requests (barcode API, AdMob) use HTTPS (TLS encryption)
- Google Play Billing transactions are secured by Google's payment infrastructure
We recommend keeping your device and the FoodLens app up to date to benefit from the latest security patches.
13. International Users
FoodLens is published globally via Google Play. The App is developed in India by MJAndroid Dev. Because FoodLens does not transfer personal data to our servers, there are no international data transfers to disclose beyond what Google AdMob and Google Play perform under their own privacy programmes.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
For significant changes (e.g., if we begin collecting personal data in a future version), we will notify you via an in-app notice and/or a notification on the Play Store listing.
15. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or FoodLens's data practices, please contact us:
- Developer: MJAndroid Dev
- Email: mjandroiddev@gmail.com
- Response time: We aim to respond within 5 business days.
For complaints relating to Google AdMob's data practices, please contact Google directly at support.google.com/admob.