Privacy Policy
Last updated: 1 October 2026
PfandLens is an iPhone app that counts beverage containers subject to the German deposit system (Pfand) and estimates their deposit value. It is built so that your data stays on your device. This policy explains exactly what the app does with data.
Summary
| Data | What happens |
|---|---|
| Camera images | Analysed in memory on your iPhone (Apple Vision and Core ML) and discarded. Never saved, never uploaded. |
| Scans and statistics | Stored locally on your iPhone only. Not transmitted to us or anyone else. |
| Location (optional) | Off by default. Used on device for reminders and, if you choose, saved encrypted with a scan. Shop search sends an approximate location to Apple Maps. |
| Purchases | Processed by Apple via the App Store. We never receive your payment details. |
| Analytics, ads, tracking | None. The app contains no analytics, advertising or tracking SDKs. |
1. Controller and contact
Tarik Davulcu (see Imprint). Contact: [email protected].
2. Camera
When you use the scanner, video frames from the camera are analysed on your iPhone to find bottles, cans, crates, barcodes and printed deposit hints. Processing happens in memory; frames are discarded right after analysis. A downscaled copy of the frame you capture is kept in memory only to show the result screen and is discarded when you close it. PfandLens does not save photos and does not transmit images.
3. Data stored on your device
Saved scans (date, counted items by category, deposit values, status, confidence, whether you marked a scan as returned), your settings, saved return points and a counter of completed free scans are stored in the app's private storage on your iPhone. The free-scan counter is also kept in the iOS Keychain so it is not reset by reinstalling. Aggregated totals are written to a shared app container so the Home Screen widget can display them. You can delete single scans, the whole history or all data in the app at any time; deleting the app removes its local data (the Keychain counter may persist as part of standard iOS behaviour).
4. Location (optional)
Location features are off by default and are never needed for scanning. If you turn them on:
- Nearby reminders: iOS region monitoring is used for the return points you save (up to 20). The system notifies the app when you arrive; there is no continuous tracking and no location history.
- Save location with scans: the approximate position is encrypted on your device (AES-GCM, key stored in the Keychain) and stored with the scan.
- Find shops nearby: when you tap this button, the app asks Apple Maps (MapKit) for nearby supermarkets and beverage stores. Apple processes this request, including an approximate location, under Apple's Privacy Policy.
5. Notifications
If you enable reminders, the app schedules local notifications on your device. No push service or server is involved.
6. Purchases
PfandLens offers one optional non-consumable in-app purchase ("Lifetime"). Purchases and restoring are processed by Apple through the App Store. The app only checks Apple-signed transaction information on your device to unlock unlimited scans. We do not receive your name, Apple Account or payment information.
7. No analytics, advertising or third-party SDKs
The app contains no third-party SDKs, no analytics, no advertising and no tracking. If you have enabled sharing of analytics with app developers in iOS settings, Apple may provide aggregated crash and usage statistics under its own terms; these contain no scan content.
8. Website
This website is a static site without cookies, analytics or external resources. To deliver it, the hosting provider processes technical access data (such as IP address, time and requested page) in server logs for security and operation (legitimate interest, Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). The light/dark choice is stored only in your browser's local storage.
9. Legal bases
Processing on your device is under your control. Where personal data is processed in connection with the app or website, the legal bases are performance of a contract (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR, e.g. purchases), your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, e.g. location permission, which you can withdraw in iOS Settings) and legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, website operation).
10. Your rights
You have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability and objection, and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. Because PfandLens stores data only on your device, you can view and delete it directly in the app. For questions, contact [email protected].
11. Children
PfandLens is suitable for all ages and does not knowingly collect personal data from anyone.
12. Changes
We will update this policy if the app's data handling changes. The current version is always available on this page.