Privacy Policy

Effective date: 2026-09-13

This policy explains how the ShelfSum iPhone app, the website at https://smartcart-scanner.vercel.app/, and support email handle information. Questions can be sent to sameddev@protonmail.com.

The app

ShelfSum is an offline-first shopping companion. It does not require an account. Cart items, prices, quantities, budgets, shopping profiles, barcode recall and saved trips are stored locally on your device. The publisher does not receive this shopping data merely because you use the app.

The app has no publisher-operated cloud sync or live supermarket-price database in this release. A barcode identifies an item; it is not treated as a current store price.

Camera, photos and on-device recognition

If you choose to scan, ShelfSum uses the camera or a photo you select. On iPhone, text recognition is performed on-device using Apple Vision through the app's native OCR bridge. Recognized text is used to suggest item names and price candidates for you to review. Manual entry remains available.

ShelfSum does not automatically upload scan images or recognized shopping data to a publisher-operated server or cloud AI service. Temporary app-managed image files are cleaned up on a best-effort basis. Choosing a photo does not delete the original from your photo library.

Permissions

Camera access is requested only for scanning. Photo access is used only when you choose an image through the system picker. The app does not request location, contacts, microphone access for this workflow, or advertising tracking permission. You can change permissions in iPhone Settings.

Website

The website is hosted on Vercel. Like other web hosts, Vercel may process technical request information such as IP address, browser/device details, requested path, timestamps, response status and security information to deliver and protect the site. The ShelfSum website does not intentionally include advertising pixels, behavioral advertising, a newsletter form or a third-party analytics SDK in this release.

Hosting/security records are retained according to the actual Vercel project configuration and Vercel's applicable service terms. We do not claim that visiting the website creates no technical records.

Support email

If you email sameddev@protonmail.com, the developer and the email provider (Proton Mail (Proton AG)) receive the address you send from, your message and any attachments you deliberately include. This information is used to answer support or privacy requests and investigate reported problems. Do not send passwords, payment-card details, identity documents or unrelated sensitive information.

Support correspondence is kept only as reasonably needed to answer the request, maintain necessary records, address abuse/security issues, or meet applicable legal obligations, and is then deleted when no longer needed.

Retention and deletion

Local app data remains until you remove it using ShelfSum's controls, delete the app's data, or delete the app. Settings > Delete all local data removes ShelfSum's local records on that device. Device or operating-system backups are controlled separately by you and Apple and may retain copies according to your backup settings.

We cannot remotely retrieve or erase a cart that exists only on your iPhone. To request deletion of information you sent to support, email sameddev@protonmail.com.

Service providers and international processing

Vercel provides website hosting and Proton Mail handles the published support mailbox. Those providers may process information in countries different from yours under their own terms, security measures and applicable transfer safeguards. Apple separately operates the App Store, iOS, iCloud/device backup and diagnostics that you choose to use.

Your choices and rights

You can use manual entry instead of camera scanning, decline optional photo selection, change device permissions, delete local ShelfSum data, and choose whether to contact support. Depending on applicable law, you may also have rights over personal information actually held in support or website operational records, including access, correction, deletion, restriction or objection. Contact sameddev@protonmail.com for a privacy request.

Security and children

We use reasonable safeguards appropriate to the limited information handled. No system can guarantee absolute security; use your iPhone's screen lock and send only information needed for support. ShelfSum is a general shopping utility and is not specifically directed to children.

Changes

We may update this policy when the app, website, providers or legal requirements change. The effective date above will be updated when the policy changes materially.