PRIVACY POLICY

Privacy Policy for QR Code Scanner & Reader

Effective Date: December 30, 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how the QR & Barcode Scanner & Reader mobile application ("the App") handles user data. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This policy complies with the Google Play Store's privacy policy requirements and applicable data protection laws.

 1. Data We Collect and How We Use It

Our App is designed to scan, generate, and manage QR codes and barcodes. We prioritize your privacy, and as a result, the App collects and processes a very limited amount of user data, all of which is stored locally on your device.

 1.1 Scanned and Generated Data

When you use the App to scan or generate QR codes/barcodes, the following data is saved to a local database on your device:

- Content: The actual data encoded within the code (text, URLs, contact info, etc.)

- Type: Whether the code was scanned or generated by the user

- Metadata: Timestamp, favorite status, pinned status, category, and user-added tags

- Purpose: This data is collected solely to provide core functionality—to allow you to save, organize, and manage your QR code history.

 1.2 User Preferences and Settings

The App uses SharedPreferences to store your personal settings locally on your device:

- Theme preferences (light/dark mode)

- App bar color customization

- Scan feedback settings (beep, vibration)

- Auto-open URL preferences

- Search engine preferences

- In-app browser settings

- Batch scan settings

- History management preferences

 1.3 Device Information

The App collects basic device information using the device_info_plus library:

- Android version and API level

- Device manufacturer and model

- Purpose: Used to optimize app performance and provide appropriate features based on device capabilities.

1.4 Location Data (GPS)

Only collected when you explicitly use the geo QR code generator:

- GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude)

- Reverse geocoded address information (optional)

- Purpose: To generate location-based QR codes that open maps to specific coordinates

- Collection: Requires your explicit permission and location services to be enabled

- Storage: GPS coordinates are stored locally as part of generated QR codes only

1.5 Contacts Access

Only accessed when you explicitly choose to save a scanned vCard to your contacts:

- Contact information from scanned vCard QR codes

- Purpose: To save contact information to your device's address book

- Access: Requires your explicit permission and only occurs when you initiate the save action

1.6 Device Media Access

Only accessed when you choose to scan QR codes from images:

- Selected images from your device's gallery

- Purpose: To scan QR codes from photos you've taken

- Access: Requires your explicit permission and only occurs when you initiate the image selection

1.7 Advertising Data (AdMob)

To display banner advertisements, our App uses Google AdMob which collects the following information:

- Device or other IDs: Advertising identifiers for ad serving and fraud prevention

- App activity: Screen visits, time spent on different screens, and ad interactions

- Other actions: General app usage patterns for ad optimization

This data is collected and processed by Google AdMob to provide relevant advertisements and measure ad performance. You can opt out of personalized advertising through your device's advertising settings.

1.8 Data NOT Collected

We do NOT collect or transmit to external servers:

- Usage analytics or tracking data (except for AdMob advertising)

- Location data except when explicitly provided for geo QR generation

- Any data transmitted to external servers (except for AdMob advertising)

However, please note that personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details MAY be collected and stored locally when you scan QR codes containing such information (e.g., vCard QR codes). This data is only processed and stored locally on your device for your convenience and is not transmitted externally.

1.9 Data Sharing with External Applications

When you scan QR codes or barcodes containing actionable content and tap the "Open" button, the App may share that data with your device's system applications. This sharing is necessary for the core functionality of opening scanned content and occurs only when you explicitly initiate it.

Types of Data Shared:

- Email addresses (shared with email applications)

- Phone numbers (shared with phone dialer)

- SMS numbers (shared with SMS applications)

- Geographic coordinates (shared with maps applications)

- Contact information (shared with contacts application using share_plus)

- Calendar events (shared with calendar applications using share_plus)

- Web URLs (shared with web browsers)

- WiFi network details (shared with system settings)

Important Notes:

- Data is shared locally on your device with system applications only

- No data is transmitted to external servers or third parties (except for AdMob advertising)

- Sharing only occurs when you tap the "Open" button

- You can avoid sharing by not using the "Open" feature

- Temporary files may be created on your device for sharing complex data (such as QR code images or calendar events) and are automatically cleaned up

- Shared data remains subject to the privacy policies of your chosen system applications

 2. Data Storage and Security

 2.1 Local Storage Only

All data is stored exclusively on your device:

- SQLite database for QR code history and metadata

- SharedPreferences for app settings

- Temporary files created for system app integration (automatically cleaned up)

- No cloud storage or external servers used (except for AdMob advertising)

Temporary files may be created on your device when opening certain types of content (such as vCard contacts or calendar events) to enable system applications to process the data. These temporary files are automatically cleaned up and do not persist beyond the immediate operation.

2.2 Security Measures

- Local Storage: All data is stored exclusively on your device

- Device Security: Data security depends on your device's built-in security features (PIN, biometric authentication, encryption)

- No Transmission: Data never leaves your device except for AdMob advertising data

- Access Control: Data is only accessible within the app

2.3 Data Retention

- User Control: You can delete individual QR codes or clear all history at any time

- Automatic Retention: Data persists until you delete it or uninstall the app

- No Time Limits: We don't automatically delete your data

- AdMob Data: Advertising data retention is governed by Google's privacy policies

 3. Permissions Requested

The App requests the following permissions only when needed:

 3.1 Required Permissions

- Camera: Essential for scanning QR codes and barcodes

- Internet: Required for opening URLs, in-app web browsing, and AdMob advertising

 3.2 Optional Permissions (Requested Only When Used)

- Contacts (WRITE_CONTACTS): Only when saving vCard contacts to device address book

- Location (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION): Only for geo QR code generation

- Storage (READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE, WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE on Android 9 and below): For selecting images from gallery and saving exported files

- Vibration: For haptic feedback during scanning

 3.3 Storage Permissions Explanation

- READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE: Allows selecting images from gallery for scanning

- WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE: (Android 9 and below): Allows saving exported files to user-chosen locations

3.4 System App Integration

The App integrates with your device's system applications (email, phone, maps, contacts, calendar) to provide the "Open" functionality for scanned content. No additional permissions are required for this integration as it uses standard Android/iOS system intents.

Important: The App does NOT require "All files access" for normal operation. Storage permissions are only used for user-initiated file operations.

 4. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

 4.1 Web Browsing

When opening URLs, you can choose between:

- In-app browser (content loads within the app)

- External browser (opens your default browser)

 4.2 Image Generation

QR code images are generated locally using the qr_flutter package. No external services are used.

 4.3 Libraries Used

The App uses the following open-source libraries:

- mobile_scanner: For camera-based QR code scanning

- qr_flutter: For QR code generation and display

- sqflite & sqflite_common_ffi: For local database storage

- shared_preferences: For storing user settings and preferences

- url_launcher: For opening external applications and URLs

- share_plus: For sharing QR codes and data

- flutter_contacts: For saving vCard contacts to device address book

- geolocator & geocoding: For GPS location services in geo QR generation

- device_info_plus: For basic device information

- vibration: For haptic feedback on scan confirmation

- audioplayers: For beep sound feedback

- image_picker: For selecting images from device gallery

- permission_handler: For managing app permissions

- flutter_inappwebview: For in-app web browsing

- media_scanner: For refreshing device media gallery

- file_picker: For user-selected file saving locations

- pdf & csv: For data export functionality

- barcode_widget: For displaying various barcode formats

- file & path_provider: For file operations and storage

- provider: For state management across the app

- intl: For date and time formatting

- clipboard: For copy-to-clipboard functionality

- google_mobile_ads: For banner advertisements

 4.4 Advertising

The App contains Google AdMob banner advertisements to support free app development and maintenance. AdMob is Google's mobile advertising platform that helps app developers monetize their apps through relevant ads.

When you view advertisements in our App, Google AdMob may collect and use information as described in Google's Privacy Policy. This includes:

- Device information (model, operating system, unique device identifiers)

- App activity (screens visited, time spent, ad interactions)

- Advertising identifiers (such as Android Advertising ID or iOS Identifier for Advertisers)

For more information about how Google uses information when you use our App, please visit Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

 4.5 Third-Party System Applications

The App may open content in third-party system applications installed on your device. These include:

- Email applications (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)

- Phone dialer applications

- SMS/Messaging applications

- Maps applications (Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc.)

- Contacts/Address book applications

- Calendar applications

Data shared with these applications is subject to their respective privacy policies. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of your chosen default applications.

 4.6 AdMob Integration

Our App uses Google AdMob for banner advertisements. AdMob may collect and use information about your interactions with advertisements to:

- Display relevant advertisements

- Measure ad performance and usage

- Improve ad targeting and delivery

- Prevent ad fraud

Data Collected by AdMob:

- Device or other IDs (advertising identifiers)

- App activity (screen visits, user interactions)

- Other actions (general app usage patterns)

Data Sharing: AdMob shares information with:

- Google (for ad serving and optimization)

- Third-party advertisers (for targeted advertising)

- Advertising partners (for analytics and reporting)

You can control ad personalization through your device's advertising settings:

•  Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID

• iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads

For more details, visit Google's AdMob Privacy Policy: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543

 5. International Data Transfers

Since all data is stored locally on your device and never transmitted to external servers (except for AdMob advertising), there are no international data transfers for your personal data. However, AdMob advertising data may be processed internationally according to Google's privacy policies.

 6. Children's Privacy

The App is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

 7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top.

 8. Your Rights and Choices

 8.1 Data Access and Control

- View Data: Access your QR code history within the app

- Delete Data: Delete individual items or clear all history

- Export Data: Export your data in CSV or TXT format

 8.2 Permission Management

You can manage app permissions through your device settings:

- Android: Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Permissions

- iOS: Settings → [App Name] → Permissions

 8.3 Advertising Controls

You can control ad personalization through your device's advertising settings:

- Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID

- iOS: Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads

 9. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact the developer at: mikedevlopr@gmail.com

 10. Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

- Google Play Store Data Safety requirements

- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable

- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) where applicable

- Other applicable privacy laws and regulations

Last Updated: December 30, 2025