QR Code Scanner: Photo Reader

Privacy Policy

Effective October 22, 2026

This policy explains what information the QR Code Scanner: Photo Reader app ("QR Scanner", "the app") uses, where it goes, and the choices you have. The app is published by NT Gadget Team ("we", "us").

1. Information that stays on your device

• Camera. Camera frames are analyzed on your device to find codes and documents. Video is not recorded or uploaded.
• Photos and files you pick. The app only receives the photos, screenshots or PDFs you choose (or share to it). It cannot browse your photo library. If you save a code image, the app asks for permission to add photos only.
• Scan history, created codes, documents, business cards and Sudoku games are stored in the app's storage on your device. You can delete any item, or turn off history in Settings.
• Signatures are stored on this device only, with iOS file protection, and are never synced.
• Text recognition and translation run on your device using Apple's frameworks.
• One-time passcodes (2FA codes) are shown but never saved to your history.
• Face ID is handled by iOS. The app only learns whether unlocking succeeded and never receives biometric data.
• Spotlight, widgets and reminders. The app can add recent scans to on-device Spotlight search and show them in widgets (Wi-Fi codes show the network name only, never the password). Expiry reminders are local notifications scheduled on your device. Locking your history with Face ID removes it from Spotlight and hides it in widgets.
• Contacts and calendar. When you save a contact or event from a code, iOS shows its own screen. The app does not read your contacts or calendar.

2. Information sent off your device

Product lookup

When you open a product barcode, the barcode number is sent to:

• Open Food Facts, Open Beauty Facts, Open Products Facts and Open Pet Food Facts, free public product databases run by the Open Food Facts association. See their privacy policy.
• Our product registry service, operated by us or a company affiliated with us. Along with the barcode number (or the identifier of a Hidden Code), the app sends a language code and a random install identifier created by the app. This identifier is not linked to your name, Apple Account or advertising identifier, and a new one is created if you reinstall the app. Your location is never sent.

Product photos are downloaded from these services. Results are cached on your device for up to 7 days.

Hidden Codes

When the app reads a Hidden Code on packaging or images, its identifier may be sent to a content-resolution service of our licensed scanning technology provider to find the content linked to it. The identifier is never shown, copied, shared or sent to web search.

Links

• Short links. To show where a short link (such as a link shortener or dynamic QR code) really leads, the app asks that link's server for its redirect, without downloading the page and without sending or keeping cookies. That server sees an ordinary request from your network.
• Online link check. When "Check Links Online" is on and available, the scanned link is sent to Google Web Risk to check it against lists of unsafe sites. See Google's privacy policy. You can turn this off in Settings.
• Opening a link, searching the web or comparing prices opens the website you choose (for example a search engine or a store) with the code or product name in the address. That website's own privacy policy applies. Some store links may include an affiliate tag. If we earn a commission, the app says so.

Usage statistics (Google Firebase)

We use Google Firebase Analytics to understand which features are used and to fix problems, and Firebase Remote Config to adjust app settings without an update. Firebase receives:

• events such as "a code was scanned", with the type of content (for example "link" or "product"), the barcode format, how many codes were found, and which feature was used;
• paywall views, trial starts and purchases (the plan only, never payment details);
• a Firebase installation identifier, device model, iOS version, app version, language and an approximate country derived from your IP address.

Firebase never receives the contents of your codes, links, documents or Hidden Code identifiers. The app does not use the advertising identifier for analytics. You can turn statistics off in Settings → "Share usage statistics". See Firebase privacy information.

Advertising (Google AdMob)

The free version shows ads served by Google AdMob. Ads start a few days after you install the app, and never appear on top of a scan result.

• In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, you are asked for consent first, through Google's consent form. You can change your choice later in Settings.
• iOS asks whether the app may track you. If you allow it, Google may use your device's advertising identifier to show more relevant ads. If you don't, ads are still shown, without that identifier.
• AdMob may collect device information, IP address, approximate location derived from it, and how you interact with ads. See how Google uses information from apps that use its services.

QR Scanner Premium removes all ads.

iCloud sync (optional)

If you turn on "Sync with iCloud", your history and documents are stored in your private iCloud database through Apple's CloudKit, so they appear on your other devices. We cannot access this data. Apple's privacy policy applies. Signatures are never synced.

Business mode (optional)

If you set up Business mode, each scan is sent to the web address you enter (for example a Google Sheets script or an automation service). You choose and control that destination; its own terms and policies apply. Hidden Codes are sent only as "Hidden Code", and one-time passcodes are never sent.

Purchases

Subscriptions are processed by Apple. We never receive your payment details. The app checks your subscription on your device using Apple's StoreKit, with no server of our own.

Sharing and export

Files you export (CSV, Excel, PDF, images) or share go only where you send them.

3. Summary of third parties

4. How long information is kept

• Information on your device stays until you delete it or delete the app.
• Cached product results expire after 7 days.
• Information received by Google, Apple or other services is kept according to their own policies and settings.
• We do not keep a separate database of our users.

5. Your choices and rights

• Turn off usage statistics, online link checks, history or iCloud sync in Settings.
• Change ad consent in Settings (where required), and tracking permission in iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
• Delete scans, documents and signatures in the app, or delete the app to remove everything stored on your device.
• Depending on where you live (for example under the GDPR or California law), you may have the right to access, correct or delete personal information and to object to certain processing. Because we do not hold an account for you, most of your information is only on your device. For anything else, contact us and we will help.

6. Children

The app is not directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

7. Security and international transfers

Network requests use encrypted connections (HTTPS), with the exception of some product photos that are only available over HTTP. Service providers such as Google may process information in countries other than yours, under their own safeguards.

8. Changes

We may update this policy as the app changes. We will change the effective date above and, for significant changes, tell you in the app.

9. Contact

Questions or requests: support@ntgadget.top · Support