WashtagPrivacy policy
Last updated 2 November 2026. This covers the Washtag iPhone app and the Washtag web app.
What stays on your device
Your saved index (item names, notes, the care details Washtag read, small thumbnails), the people you add under Household, your washer and dryer details and your settings. They are stored only on your device: in the iPhone app’s storage (included in your normal iCloud device backup if you use it), or in your browser’s storage for the web app. Washtag does not have a copy. Deleting the app, clearing your browser’s site data, or deleting items removes them.
What is sent off your device, and why
- Photos you choose to scan. When you tap “Read label” or read a barcode from a photo, a resized copy of that photo is sent through Washtag’s server to Google’s Gemini API, which reads the care symbols, text and barcode digits. Washtag’s server passes the photo on and does not store it. Washtag uses Gemini’s free tier, under which Google may keep and use what it receives to improve its services, including review by people. Don’t scan photos that show anything private. See Google’s Gemini API terms.
- Barcode numbers. To look up a product, the barcode number is sent to UPCitemdb and, if needed, the Open Products Facts, Open Beauty Facts and Open Food Facts databases. They receive the number and your device’s IP address, like any website you visit.
- Product and care details. To add care notes and product suggestions, Washtag sends the product’s name, brand and category, the care instructions it read, and any needs you pick (for example “sensitive skin”) to Gemini. Your name and your household names are never sent.
- Washer and dryer lookup. If you look up your machines, the brand and model number you type are sent to Gemini.
- Technical data. Washtag’s servers run on Cloudflare (iPhone app) and Vercel (web app and website). They see your IP address and, from the iPhone app, a random install number used only to stop the free AI service being overused. Washtag does not keep logs of these beyond what those hosts keep briefly to operate and protect their services.
Ads
The free iPhone app shows a short ad from Google AdMob when it opens. AdMob may collect your device’s advertising identifier, IP address, and information about the ads you see and tap, to show and measure ads. Washtag asks permission before ads may use your advertising identifier (Apple’s “Allow tracking” prompt); if you say no, you still get ads, just less personalised ones. In the UK, EEA and Switzerland, Washtag also asks for your consent using Google’s consent tool, and you can change your choice any time under Household → Ad privacy choices. See how Google uses information from apps that use its services. The website and web app may show ads from Google AdSense. Google and its partners use cookies to show ads based on your visits to this and other sites; in the UK, EEA and Switzerland you are asked for consent first. You can turn off personalised ads at Google Ad Settings (see how Google uses cookies in advertising). Some product suggestions in the web app may link to Amazon; as an Amazon Associate, Washtag earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
What Washtag does not do
- No accounts, sign-in, or contact details are collected.
- Washtag does not sell your data.
- Washtag does not use your location, contacts or health data.
Children
Washtag is not directed at children under 13 and doesn’t knowingly collect their personal information.
Your choices
- Only scan what you choose to; nothing is uploaded until you tap a read or look-up button.
- Turn off ad tracking in iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
- Delete saved items in the app, or delete the app or the site’s data to remove everything.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted here with a new date.
Contact
Contact: email dhruvilm083@gmail.com with questions, problems, or to report an inappropriate ad.