Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2, 2026

Book Spotter (“the app”, “we”, “us”) helps you find books on shelves using your device's camera. This policy explains what information the app does and does not handle. Book Spotter is operated by Matthew Audette.

The short version

Book Spotter is built to work on your device. Text recognition happens locally, your camera images are never uploaded or stored by us, and your book list lives on your device. We don't run our own analytics or sell your data.

Camera

The app uses your camera to recognize text on book spines and covers in real time, using Apple's on-device Vision framework. Camera frames are processed on your device to draw match boxes and are not saved, collected, or transmitted to us or anyone else.

Photos

If you use “Scan from Photos,” a photo you choose is processed on your device to find your target books within it. The photo is not uploaded to us and is not shared.

Your book list and notes

The books you add — including titles, authors, notes, format/condition preferences, and status — are stored locally on your device. If, in the future, we offer optional accounts and cross-device sync, this policy will be updated to describe that, and it will be opt-in.

Book database lookups

When you tap “Check against book database,” the title and/or author text you typed is sent to Open Library, a free service operated by the Internet Archive, to retrieve matching book details. Only the text of your search is sent — no account, name, or device identifier. Open Library's handling of requests is governed by the Internet Archive's privacy policy.

Purchases

Subscriptions (Search Plus) are processed by Apple through the App Store. We do not receive or store your payment details. Apple provides us only with the anonymous status of whether an entitlement is active.

Advertising

If the app shows ads (for example, an optional rewarded ad to unlock extra searches), those ads may be provided by Google AdMob. AdMob may collect device identifiers and usage information to serve and measure ads, as described in Google's Privacy Policy. You can control ad personalization in your device settings. Ads are not part of every version of the app.

Analytics

The app does not include third-party analytics or tracking SDKs. Apple may provide us with aggregate, anonymized App Store and crash statistics that cannot identify you.

Third-party services

• Apple — App Store distribution and subscriptions.
• Open Library / Internet Archive — optional book lookups.
• Google AdMob — advertising, where present.

Data retention and your choices

Because your book list is stored on your device, you control it: remove individual books at any time, or delete the app to remove the list from your device. Camera and photo data are processed transiently and not retained.

Children's privacy

Book Spotter is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from them.

Security

Because the app keeps your data on your device and minimizes what leaves it, your information's security is tied to your device. We recommend keeping your device protected with a passcode and up-to-date software.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be reflected here with a new “last updated” date.

Contact

Questions about this policy? Email support@bookspotter.app.