Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 8, 2026
FormulaLens is a free iOS application that helps you understand cosmetic ingredient lists by scanning and classifying them on your device. We built this app with a privacy-first philosophy: we don’t collect your data because we don’t need it.
The Short Version
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you collect personal data? | No |
| Do my photos leave my device? | No |
| Are there accounts or logins? | No |
| Is there tracking or analytics? | No |
| Are there ads? | No |
| Is my data sold or shared? | No |
| Is the app safe for children? | Yes |
What We Collect
Nothing. FormulaLens does not collect, store, or transmit any personal information. There are no user accounts, no analytics frameworks, no advertising SDKs, and no third-party tracking tools embedded in the app.
How Your Photos Are Used
You grant camera or photo library access so FormulaLens can read ingredient lists. Here’s what happens to those photos:
- Photos are processed entirely on your device using Apple’s built-in text recognition technology
- Photos are never uploaded to any server — ours or anyone else’s
- Photos are not stored by the app beyond the active analysis session (unless you explicitly save a result)
How Analysis Works
All processing is local:
- Text extraction — performed on-device by the operating system’s built-in frameworks
- Ingredient identification — matched against a database bundled inside the app
- Comparisons — computed in memory on your device
No internet connection is required. No data leaves your device during any of these operations.
What’s Stored Locally
If you choose to save an analysis, the results are stored on your device only:
- Ingredient names and their classifications
- Your custom product label
- The product category you selected
This data lives solely on your device and is never transmitted anywhere. It is permanently deleted when you uninstall the app, or you can remove individual items at any time within the app.
Network Requests
FormulaLens makes zero network requests during normal use. There are no APIs contacted, no telemetry sent, and no background data transfers.
Third-Party Services
None. FormulaLens does not integrate any third-party SDKs, analytics services, crash reporters, or advertising networks.
Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, license, or share user data with any third party. There is no user data in our possession to share.
Permissions
| Permission | Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Photograph ingredient lists for scanning | Optional |
| Photo Library | Select existing photos for scanning | Optional |
FormulaLens does not request access to: location, contacts, microphone, Bluetooth, health data, App Tracking Transparency (ATT), push notifications, or any other sensitive system permissions.
Data Retention and Deletion
We operate no servers and maintain no user databases. All data exists only on your device. To delete it:
- Individual items — swipe to delete within the app
- All data — uninstall FormulaLens from your device
Your Rights
Since we hold no personal data on any server, there is nothing for us to provide, correct, port, or delete. You have full ownership and control of everything stored locally on your device.
Children’s Privacy
FormulaLens collects no data from any user, regardless of age. The app is safe for children and complies with COPPA and applicable child privacy regulations in your jurisdiction.
International Users
Because FormulaLens collects no personal data and makes no network requests, no cross-border data transfer occurs. The app operates the same way regardless of your location.
Changes to This Policy
If we update this policy, the revised version will be posted here with a new effective date. Continued use of the app after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Email us at bartlettbutter@gmail.com.