Privacy Policy

Overview

CountMinder is an item-counting app from Brown’s Tech Co. It helps you compare physical items with a list of expected quantities, using your iPhone’s camera to read barcodes and printed item numbers.

CountMinder does not require a Brown’s Tech Co. account, does not use a Brown’s Tech Co. backend service, and does not sell or share personal information. CountMinder does not upload your lists or counts, and you do not need an internet connection to count. The app goes online only to check for app updates and, when you open the unlock screen or buy or restore the unlock, to confirm your purchase (see App Updates and In-App Purchases below). Your lists and counts leave your iPhone only when you choose to share a backup, a CSV export or a diagnostic file.

Information CountMinder Stores

CountMinder stores the information you enter or import, such as list names, the name of each CSV file you import, item numbers, descriptions, barcodes, groups and notes, expected quantities, the counts you make and their history, barcodes or item numbers you read that are not in your list, and the app’s settings.

This information is stored in a database on your iPhone. Brown’s Tech Co. does not receive, host, or access it, except a de-identified diagnostic file you choose to send us (see Support Emails below). iOS may include that database in your iPhone’s own backups, to iCloud or to a computer (see Data Deletion below). CountMinder also keeps a record on your iPhone of whether you have unlocked the app.

Camera

CountMinder uses the camera only to read barcodes and printed item numbers while you count. The first time you scan, CountMinder explains this, and then iOS asks whether to allow camera access. If you do not allow it, you can still enter counts by hand.

The camera is read live on your iPhone: barcodes are detected by iOS, and printed item numbers are recognized on your iPhone with Apple’s Vision framework. CountMinder does not save camera images or video, and does not send them anywhere. Only the barcodes and item numbers it reads are kept, with your counts.

You can turn camera access on or off at any time in the Settings app, under CountMinder.

Files You Import

When you import a list, you choose a CSV file with the iOS file picker. CountMinder reads the file on your iPhone, keeps the list in its on-device database, and deletes the temporary copy it made to read the file. The file is not uploaded.

Backup, Restore and Export

You can export a backup of your CountMinder data, or a count as a CSV file, using the iOS share sheet. A backup is a complete copy of the app’s database, including imported list rows and file names, item details and notes, and every barcode or item number you scanned or typed. It is not encrypted or password-protected. A backup or export goes only where you send it, and that destination’s handling of the file is governed by its own terms and privacy practices. Restoring a backup replaces the CountMinder data on your iPhone; a backup never includes your unlock or the app’s settings.

In-App Purchases

CountMinder is free to use within limits and offers an optional one-time purchase that removes them. The purchase is processed by Apple through the App Store under your Apple ID. Brown’s Tech Co. does not receive or store your payment information.

To confirm your purchase and keep CountMinder unlocked, CountMinder uses RevenueCat, a purchase-management service. CountMinder contacts RevenueCat only when you open the unlock screen or the unlock section of Settings, when you buy or restore the unlock, and, once unlocked, at most every six hours when the app opens. RevenueCat receives an anonymous identifier created on your iPhone, your App Store purchase receipt, basic app and device information such as the app and iOS versions, and, as with any internet request, your IP address. It does not receive your name, email address, or any of your lists, items, counts or camera data, and this information is not used to track you across other apps or websites.

App Updates

CountMinder checks whether a newer version is available. When the app starts it asks Expo’s update service, which receives a random identifier for this installation, the app’s runtime version, release channel and platform. At most once a day, and whenever you tap Check for Update, it also asks Apple’s App Store for the latest version number. These checks carry none of your lists, counts or camera data.

Information CountMinder Does Not Collect

CountMinder does not collect or access:

• Account or login information
• Location data
• Contacts
• Calendars
• Photos or media files
• Microphone or audio recordings
• Advertising identifiers, behavioral tracking data, or analytics about how you use the app

CountMinder does not include advertising or an analytics SDK, and does not track you across other apps or websites. The only third-party service it uses is RevenueCat, for purchases. If you have chosen to share iPhone analytics with app developers in the iOS Settings app, Apple may provide Brown’s Tech Co. with crash reports for apps distributed through the App Store; those are controlled by that iOS setting, not by CountMinder.

Support Emails

If you contact Brown’s Tech Co. for support, we may receive your email address and any information you choose to include in your message. We use that information only to respond to your request.

If you use Report an Issue in Settings, CountMinder creates a de-identified file with what is needed to look into a problem: list, item and file names, descriptions and notes are removed, and barcodes and item numbers are replaced by their shape. The file is created only when you tap Generate & Share, and you choose whether and where to send it.

Data Deletion

Deleting an archived list in CountMinder removes that list, its items and its counts from the database on your iPhone. Clearing a count removes the count and its history and keeps the list.

Deleting CountMinder from your iPhone removes its lists, counts and settings from that iPhone. Backups of your iPhone made by iOS, to iCloud or to a computer, while CountMinder was installed may still contain a copy of its data until those backups are replaced or deleted. You can manage iCloud backups in the iOS Settings app, under your name, iCloud, Manage Account Storage, then Backups, or on the computer that holds a computer backup.

Deleting the app does not remove backups or CSV files you exported, or a diagnostic file you sent; manage those wherever you saved or sent them. RevenueCat keeps the record of your purchase under its anonymous identifier, so Restore Purchases can unlock CountMinder again.

Children's Privacy

CountMinder is not directed to children and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

Brown’s Tech Co. may update this policy as CountMinder changes. If future versions add new services or data practices, this policy will be updated before those features are released.

Contact

Questions about this policy can be sent to kurt@brownstc.com.