01Who we are
QR Reader ("the app") is developed and published by AziTecHost ("we", "us"). This policy applies to the QR Reader app for Android. For data processed by the services described below (for example Google), we are responsible for choosing and configuring them; those providers also act under their own privacy policies.
If anything here is unclear, write to support@azitechost.com.
02Data stored on your device
The following stays in the app's private storage on your phone. We do not have a server that receives it.
- Scan history: the content of codes you scan, their format and when you scanned them.
- Codes you create and their design settings, when you save or export them.
- Digital business cards you create in "My card", including a photo if you pick one.
- Product lookup cache: product or book details fetched earlier, so they load faster and work offline.
- Preferences such as theme, whether online product lookup and link-safety warnings are on, and whether you have seen the intro.
Images you save or share go to the destination you pick (for example your gallery or another app).
03Camera and photos
The camera is used only while the scanner is open, to find and decode QR codes and barcodes. Decoding happens entirely on your device. Video frames are not recorded, stored or sent anywhere.
When you choose "Scan from photo", Android's photo picker gives the app only the image you select. It is read on the device to find a code and is not uploaded or kept.
Camera access is optional; you can still scan from photos without it.
04Online features you choose
Product and book lookup
When you scan a retail barcode or ISBN and online lookup is on, the app sends only the barcode number to free public databases to show product details. It does not send your history, location or any identifier of yours. As with any internet request, these services (and the servers hosting product images) receive your IP address. You can turn lookup off in Settings.
| Service | Used for |
|---|---|
| Open Food Facts, Open Beauty Facts, Open Pet Food Facts, Open Products Facts | Food, cosmetics, pet food and general products |
| Open Library, Google Books | Books by ISBN |
| UPCitemdb | Other retail barcodes, as a fallback |
Links and short-link checks
Link-safety warnings are worked out on your device. If you tap "Reveal destination", the app follows the link's redirects to show where it really goes, so the websites involved receive a normal web request. Opening a link, calling a number, sending an email or joining Wi-Fi only happens when you tap to do so, using the relevant app on your phone.
If nothing is found for a product, you can choose to search the web (for example Google, Amazon or eBay). That opens the site in your browser under that site's own privacy policy.
05Advertising
QR Reader is free and shows banner and native ads served by Google AdMob. Ads are clearly labelled "Ad" and never appear on the camera screen.
To serve, limit and measure ads and to prevent fraud, Google and its advertising partners may collect:
- your device's advertising ID (Android Advertising ID);
- IP address and approximate location derived from it;
- device and app information such as model, operating system, language and app version;
- ad interactions such as impressions and taps.
The ads SDK does not receive the content of your scans, your history or your business cards.
Consent
If you are in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland, or in a US state with applicable privacy laws, the app shows a consent message from Google's certified consent platform (IAB TCF) before ads are requested. You can accept, refuse or manage your choices per purpose and vendor. If you do not consent, you may still see ads that are not personalised, where permitted.
You can change your choice at any time in Settings → Ad privacy choices inside the app (shown where required).
More control
- Reset or delete your advertising ID, or opt out of ads personalisation, in your phone's Settings → Privacy → Ads (wording varies by device).
- Learn how Google uses information from apps that use its services: policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
- Google Ads personalisation settings: adssettings.google.com.
06Analytics, crashes and notifications
We use Google Firebase to keep the app working well. These services use app-instance and installation identifiers, not your name or contact details.
| Service | What it does |
|---|---|
| Firebase Analytics | Which screens and features are used and the type of code scanned (for example "link" or "Wi-Fi"). Never the code's content, URLs or card details. |
| Firebase Crashlytics | Crash and error reports: device model, OS version, app version and the technical state at the time of the crash. |
| Firebase Cloud Messaging | A push token so we can send occasional update and tip notifications. You can turn notifications off in Android settings. |
| Firebase Remote Config | Lets us adjust settings remotely, such as asking you to update an outdated version or pausing ads. |
| Google Play In-App Review | Occasionally invites you to rate the app. Google Play decides whether the prompt appears. |
Read more in Privacy and Security in Firebase.
07Permissions
| Permission | Why the app asks |
|---|---|
| Camera | Scan codes live. Optional. |
| Internet | Product lookup, short-link checks, ads, analytics and crash reports. |
| Wi-Fi state | Join a network from a Wi-Fi QR code when you tap Connect. |
| Notifications | Show update and tip notifications (Android 13+). Optional. |
| Advertising ID | Used by Google AdMob as described in section 5. |
| Vibration | A short haptic when a code is scanned. |
| Storage (Android 9 and older) | Save generated code images to your gallery. |
09Retention and deletion
- On-device data stays until you delete it. Swipe a scan away or use "Clear all" in History, delete cards in "My card", or remove everything by clearing the app's storage or uninstalling.
- Analytics and crash reports are kept by Google for a limited period under Firebase's data retention terms, after which they are deleted or aggregated.
- Advertising data is kept by Google according to Google's retention policy.
10Your rights and choices
Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR, UK GDPR or US state laws such as the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the right to access, correct, delete or port your personal data, to object to or restrict processing, to withdraw consent, and to opt out of targeted advertising. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
Because we do not run accounts or keep your scans on our servers, most data can be managed directly in the app and in your phone's settings. For anything else, email us and we will respond within one month. Where data is held by Google, we will help you reach the right tools.
Where the GDPR applies, our legal bases are: your consent for personalised advertising and storing information on your device for ads; our legitimate interests in keeping the app secure, fixing crashes and understanding feature use; and providing the features you request, such as product lookup.
11Children
QR Reader is a general-audience utility and is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us and we will help remove it.
12Security
On-device data is kept in the app's private storage, which other apps cannot read. The app's product lookups, ads and analytics use encrypted HTTPS connections. The app also warns you before opening links that look risky. No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, but we work to protect your information.
13Changes to this policy
We may update this policy when the app or the law changes. The effective date at the top shows the latest version. For significant changes we will also give notice in the app or on its Google Play listing where appropriate.
14Contact us
Questions, requests or concerns about your privacy are welcome.
AziTecHost
support@azitechost.com · azitechost.com