beforeUBuy ("we", "us", "the app") is operated by Phillip, an individual based in South Africa. This policy explains what information beforeUBuy collects, how it's used, and the choices you have. We've written it in plain language rather than dense legal text, because we think you should actually be able to read it.
When you create an account, we collect your email address and a password (stored securely and never visible to us in plain text). You may optionally add a display name.
beforeUBuy's core feature lets you photograph a product you're considering buying. That photo is:
We keep a record that a scan occurred (date, and which user account performed it) separately from your visible scan history. This record persists even if you delete a scan from your history — it exists solely to enforce free-tier usage limits fairly, and contains no image data or product details.
If you choose to photograph a product's label, back of pack or rating plate, the photo is processed to read the text on it (for example ingredients, warnings, an expiry date or a model number), and that text is saved with the scan it belongs to. We do not read vehicle number plates, names, phone numbers or other personal details from photos.
To understand how the app is used and to fix problems, the app records basic activity events — for example that the app was opened, that a scan started or finished (and whether it worked), or that the upgrade screen was viewed — together with your app version and device type (Android or iOS). Before you sign in these events are linked to a random identifier generated on your device; once you are signed in they are linked to your account. These events do not contain your photos, product names, email address or other personal details.
On Android we also read the Google Play "install referrer" once. It tells us how you found the app (for example a Google Play search, or a link someone shared) and we store that against your account. We use it only to understand which channels bring people to the app.
If you subscribe to beforeUBuy Pro, payment is handled entirely by Apple's App Store or Google Play — we never see or store your card details. We use RevenueCat to manage subscription status, which receives your purchase confirmation from Apple/Google and tells our backend whether your account should have Pro access.
beforeUBuy requests access to your camera and photo library solely to let you take or choose a photo to scan. We don't access these outside of when you actively use the scan feature.
We share information with the following service providers, each of whom processes it only to provide their specific service to us:
We do not sell your personal information to anyone, for any reason.
When beforeUBuy researches issues for a product that isn't yet in our database, the resulting issue information (e.g. "this engine variant is known for X") is saved and shown to other users who scan the same product in future. This shared knowledge does not include your photo, your account information, or anything that identifies you — only the general product issue information itself.
The same applies to barcodes. If you scan a barcode that isn't in the public product databases we use, and then photograph the product, we save the barcode together with what the product was identified as and, if you photograph its label, the ingredients text read from the pack. Other people who scan that barcode then see that product information. It does not include your photo or anything that identifies you; internally we keep a record of which account added an entry, only so that an entry can be marked as confirmed once a second, different person agrees with it.
We retain your account and scan history for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we delete your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we're required to retain certain records (e.g. transaction records) for legal or accounting purposes.
beforeUBuy is not directed at children, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13 (or the relevant minimum age in your jurisdiction). If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we'll delete it.
If you have questions about this policy, want to exercise any of the rights above, or have a privacy concern, contact us at:
beforeubuy.app@gmail.comWe may update this policy from time to time as the app evolves. If we make material changes, we'll update the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of the app after changes means you accept the updated policy.