Privacy Policy for SplitReceipt
Effective Date: January 23, 2026
Last Updated: April 14, 2026
This privacy policy explains how SplitReceipt ("the App", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects your data. SplitReceipt is developed and operated by Kevin Merz.
1. Overview
SplitReceipt is a receipt-splitting app that uses AI to scan printed receipts and help you divide costs among friends. The App is designed with privacy in mind:
- No user accounts or sign-ups required
- No persistent storage of your receipts on our servers
- Receipt images are processed temporarily and not retained
- The free version of the App displays advertisements provided by Google AdMob; the paid subscription (Premium) is completely ad-free
- Minimal data collection necessary for app functionality
2. Data We Collect
2.1 Receipt Images
- What: Photos of receipts you capture or select from your photo library
- Purpose: Sent to our Firebase Cloud Functions backend, which forwards them to Google Gemini AI for text recognition and item extraction
- Retention: Images are processed in real-time and are not stored permanently on our servers. Processing typically completes within seconds.
- Legal basis: Contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) — necessary to provide the service you requested
2.2 Device Identifier
- What: Apple's Identifier for Vendor (IDFV) — a device identifier unique to apps from the same developer
- Purpose: Rate limiting and abuse prevention (to enforce daily/monthly usage limits)
- Retention: Stored only for the duration necessary to enforce usage limits (rolling 30-day window)
- Legal basis: Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) — to prevent abuse and ensure fair usage for all users
2.3 Anonymous Authentication
- What: Anonymous Firebase user ID (no email, password, or personal information)
- Purpose: Secure communication with our Firebase Cloud Functions backend
- Retention: Until app uninstallation or manual deletion request
- Legal basis: Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) — security of our services
2.4 Technical Data
- What: IP address, device type, operating system version, app version, language settings
- Purpose: Service delivery, security, troubleshooting, and crash analysis
- Retention: IP addresses are not logged by us; third-party services may retain according to their policies
- Legal basis: Legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)
3. Data We Do NOT Collect
- Names, email addresses, or contact information
- Precise or approximate location data
- Persistent receipt history or purchase data beyond your current session
- Financial, banking, or payment information
- Health or biometric data
- Contacts, calendar, or other personal data
4. Apple App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
The free version of SplitReceipt displays advertisements via Google AdMob. To serve personalized ads, the App requests your permission through Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework when you first launch the free version. This means:
- You will see an ATT permission prompt on first launch (free version only)
- If you grant permission: Google AdMob may use your Advertising Identifier (IDFA) to deliver personalized ads and measure ad performance
- If you deny permission: you will see non-personalized ads; IDFA is not accessed
- Users of the paid Premium subscription do not see any ads and are not subject to ad tracking
- You can change your ATT decision at any time in Settings › Privacy & Security › Tracking
- You can further limit ad tracking via Settings › Privacy & Security › Apple Advertising › Personalized Ads
5. Third-Party Services
The App uses the following third-party services. Each service may collect data according to its own privacy policy:
5.1 Firebase Cloud Functions (Google)
- Services used: Firebase Authentication (anonymous), Firebase Cloud Functions, Firebase App Check
- Purpose: Anonymous user authentication, secure backend processing, security verification
- Data processed: Anonymous user ID, device information, receipt images (forwarded to Gemini AI and immediately discarded)
- Note: We use Firebase Cloud Functions as a secure backend layer. Receipt images are never stored in Firebase — they are forwarded directly to Google Gemini AI and discarded after processing.
- Privacy Policy: https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy
5.2 Google Gemini AI
- Purpose: Optical character recognition (OCR) and intelligent parsing of receipt images
- How it works: Receipt images are sent from our Firebase Cloud Functions to Google Gemini 2.5 Flash for processing. The app never calls Gemini directly.
- Data sent: Receipt images (processed in real-time, not stored by us)
- Note: Google may use anonymized data to improve their AI models. See Google's AI terms for details.
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
5.3 RevenueCat
- Purpose: Subscription management and in-app purchase verification
- Data processed: Anonymous device identifiers, purchase receipts from Apple (for subscription verification), app version, platform
- Data NOT shared: Your name, email, payment details, or any personally identifying information
- Legal basis: Contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR) — necessary to verify and manage your subscription
- Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy
5.4 Google AdMob
- Purpose: Displaying advertisements in the free version of the App
- Data processed: Advertising Identifier (IDFA, only with ATT consent), device information (model, OS version), IP address, ad interaction data (impressions, clicks), ad session ID
- Note: AdMob is only active in the free version. The paid Premium subscription is completely ad-free and AdMob is not initialised.
- ATT: IDFA is only accessed after you grant permission via the ATT dialog. You can withdraw consent at any time in your device settings.
- Opt-Out: Deny ATT permission, or go to Settings › Privacy & Security › Apple Advertising to disable personalised ads system-wide.
- Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy — Google's advertising data practices: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
5.5 Apple App Store / StoreKit
- Purpose: Subscription billing and purchase processing
- Data shared: None by us; Apple processes payments according to their privacy policy
- Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/
6. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling
In accordance with Art. 22 GDPR, we inform you about automated processing:
- AI Receipt Parsing: We use Google Gemini AI (via Firebase Cloud Functions) to automatically extract item names and prices from receipt images. This is automated processing but does not constitute automated decision-making with legal effects.
- No Profiling: We do not create profiles about you or make automated decisions that significantly affect you.
- Human Override: You can always manually edit, correct, or delete any data extracted by the AI before using it for calculations.
7. Device Permissions
The App requests the following permissions:
- Camera: To capture photos of receipts. Only accessed when you tap the camera button.
- Photo Library: To select existing receipt photos. Only accessed when you choose to select a photo.
These permissions are only used when you actively choose to scan a receipt. No background access occurs. You can revoke these permissions at any time in your device's Settings.
8. Data Storage and Security
- Receipt data exists only in your device's memory during app usage and is cleared when you close the app
- No receipt data is stored on our servers after processing
- All network communications use HTTPS/TLS 1.2+ encryption
- Firebase App Check validates that requests come from the authentic app
- We implement security best practices including input validation and secure coding standards
9. International Data Transfers
Your data may be processed by Google services in the United States or other countries outside the European Economic Area. These transfers are protected by:
- EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (where applicable)
- Standard Contractual Clauses (Art. 46(2)(c) GDPR)
- Google's data processing terms and technical security measures
RevenueCat also processes data in the United States, protected by Standard Contractual Clauses.
By using the App, you acknowledge that your data may be transferred to and processed in these locations.
10. Data Retention
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Receipt images | Not retained (processed and immediately discarded) |
| Anonymous user IDs | Until app uninstall or deletion request |
| Device IDs (for rate limiting) | Rolling 30-day window |
| Subscription data (RevenueCat) | According to RevenueCat's retention policy |
| Ad session ID / IDFA (AdMob, free version only) | Per ad session; subject to Google's retention policy. Not collected in Premium version. |
| Server logs (if any) | 30 days maximum |
11. Your Rights
11.1 Rights under GDPR (EEA/UK Users)
If you are in the European Economic Area or United Kingdom, you have the following rights:
- Right of Access (Art. 15): Request a copy of your personal data
- Right to Rectification (Art. 16): Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to Erasure (Art. 17): Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to Restriction (Art. 18): Limit how we process your data
- Right to Data Portability (Art. 20): Receive your data in a machine-readable format
- Right to Object (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Right to Withdraw Consent (Art. 7(3)): Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior processing
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: File a complaint with your local data protection authority
11.2 Rights under CCPA/CPRA (California Users)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):
- Right to Know: Request disclosure of personal information collected, used, and disclosed
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do NOT sell or share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights
- Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: SplitReceipt does not sell your personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising purposes.
11.3 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at MerzKevin@me.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days (GDPR) or 45 days (CCPA). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
12. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers send "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Since SplitReceipt does not track users across websites, DNT signals do not change our data practices. We treat all users the same regardless of DNT settings.
13. Children's Privacy
SplitReceipt is not intended for children under 16 years of age (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately at MerzKevin@me.com and we will delete such information.
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- For significant changes, we may notify you through the App or other means
- Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
15. Additional Information for Specific Regions
15.1 Brazil (LGPD)
If you are in Brazil, you have rights under the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), including rights to access, correction, deletion, and data portability. Contact us to exercise these rights.
15.2 Other Jurisdictions
We comply with applicable data protection laws in all jurisdictions where the App is available. If your jurisdiction provides additional rights not listed here, please contact us.
Terms of Use for SplitReceipt
Effective Date: January 23, 2026
Last Updated: April 14, 2026
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY
By downloading, installing, or using SplitReceipt, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use the App.
1. Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User", "you", "your") and Kevin Merz ("Developer", "we", "us", "our") governing your use of the SplitReceipt mobile application ("App", "Service").
By accessing or using the App, you confirm that:
- You are at least 16 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
- You have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement
- You agree to comply with these Terms and all applicable laws
2. Description of Service
SplitReceipt is a utility application that:
- Uses artificial intelligence (AI) to scan and parse receipt images
- Extracts item names and prices from receipts
- Helps users divide costs among multiple people
- Calculates individual shares and settlement amounts
The App is provided as a convenience tool and is not intended to replace professional accounting, financial, or legal advice.
3. License Grant
Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:
- Download and install the App on your personal mobile device
- Use the App for personal, non-commercial purposes
This license does not include the right to:
- Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works of the App
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App
- Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notices
- Use the App for any commercial purpose without written consent
- Transfer, sublicense, or assign your rights under this license
4. Subscription and In-App Purchases
4.1 Free Version and Advertising
The App is available free of charge. The free version displays advertisements provided by Google AdMob. By using the free version, you agree that ads may be shown based on contextual or, with your ATT consent, personalised signals.
4.2 Premium Subscription
The App offers a monthly subscription ("Premium") that removes all advertisements and unlocks full functionality. Subscriptions are billed through the App Store and managed via RevenueCat.
4.3 Billing
- All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store
- Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing period unless cancelled at least 24 hours before renewal
- Your Apple ID account will be charged upon confirmation of purchase and at the start of each renewal period
- You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings at any time
4.4 Cancellation
- You may cancel your subscription at any time through App Store settings
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period; you retain access until then
- Deleting the app does not cancel your subscription
4.5 Refunds
- Refunds are handled by Apple according to their refund policies
- We do not provide direct refunds for purchases made through the App Store
- To request a refund, visit reportaproblem.apple.com
5. User Responsibilities
You agree to:
- Use the App only for lawful purposes
- Verify all AI-extracted data before relying on it for financial decisions
- Not attempt to circumvent usage limits or security measures
- Not use the App to process fraudulent, illegal, or unauthorized receipts
- Not interfere with or disrupt the App's functionality or servers
- Not use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to access the App
- Not upload malicious content, viruses, or harmful code
6. AI-Generated Content and Accuracy
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT AI ACCURACY
The App uses artificial intelligence (Google Gemini) to extract text from receipt images. AI technology is inherently imperfect and may produce errors.
You acknowledge and agree that:
- AI is not infallible: The AI may incorrectly read, interpret, or extract information from receipts
- Errors are possible: Item names, prices, quantities, and totals may be extracted incorrectly
- Verification is your responsibility: You MUST verify all extracted data before using it for any purpose
- No guarantee of accuracy: We make no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-extracted data
- Image quality affects results: Poor lighting, blur, damage, or unusual receipt formats may result in errors
- Human oversight required: The App is designed to assist, not replace, human verification
7. Intellectual Property
All intellectual property rights in the App, including but not limited to:
- Software code, algorithms, and architecture
- User interface design and graphics
- Trademarks, logos, and branding
- Documentation and content
are owned by Kevin Merz or our licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Nothing in these Terms transfers any intellectual property rights to you.
8. User Content
Receipt images you upload are processed temporarily and not stored. You represent and warrant that:
- You have the right to upload any images you submit
- Your content does not infringe third-party rights
- Your content does not contain illegal or harmful material
9. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we expressly disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:
- MERCHANTABILITY: We do not warrant that the App is fit for any particular purpose
- FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE: We do not warrant that the App will meet your specific requirements
- NON-INFRINGEMENT: We do not warrant that the App does not infringe third-party rights
- ACCURACY: We do not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any content or results
- AVAILABILITY: We do not warrant uninterrupted or error-free operation
- SECURITY: We do not warrant that the App is free from viruses or other harmful components
- RESULTS: We do not warrant that use of the App will achieve any particular results
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, the above exclusions may not apply to you, and you may have additional rights.
10. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL KEVIN MERZ, HIS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER.
This limitation applies to:
- Direct damages: Any direct financial loss
- Indirect damages: Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
- Incidental damages: Costs incurred as a result of using the App
- Consequential damages: Any damages arising from the use or inability to use the App
- Special damages: Any extraordinary losses
- Punitive damages: Any damages intended to punish
Maximum liability: In jurisdictions that do not allow complete exclusion of liability, our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid for the App in the 12 months preceding the claim.
11. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Kevin Merz and his affiliates, licensors, and service providers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:
- Your use of the App
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any third-party rights
- Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
- Any content you submit through the App
- Any dispute between you and other users regarding cost-splitting
12. Third-Party Services
The App integrates with third-party services including:
- Google Firebase Cloud Functions (authentication, secure backend)
- Google Gemini AI (receipt parsing)
- Google AdMob (advertising in the free version)
- RevenueCat (subscription management)
- Apple App Store / StoreKit (payment processing)
Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the actions, content, or practices of these third parties.
13. Service Availability and Modifications
We reserve the right to:
- Modify, suspend, or discontinue the App at any time without notice
- Change features, functionality, or content
- Impose limits on certain features or restrict access
- Update, modify, or change these Terms
We are not liable for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the App.
14. Usage Limits
The App may impose limits on usage, including but not limited to:
- Number of scans per day or month (for free tier, if applicable)
- Frequency of requests
- File size limits for receipt images
Attempting to circumvent these limits is a violation of these Terms and may result in termination of access.
15. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your access to the App immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including:
- Violation of these Terms
- Fraudulent or illegal activity
- Abuse of the service
- At our sole discretion
Upon termination:
- Your license to use the App is immediately revoked
- You must cease all use of the App
- Provisions that by their nature should survive (including disclaimers, limitations of liability, and indemnification) shall survive
16. Dispute Resolution
Before initiating any formal dispute resolution, you agree to first contact us at MerzKevin@me.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. Most disputes can be resolved quickly through informal discussion.
17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
For users in the European Union: Nothing in these Terms affects your rights as a consumer under mandatory EU consumer protection laws.
Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Soest, Germany, unless mandatory consumer protection laws provide otherwise.
18. Consumer Rights (EU/EEA Users)
If you are a consumer in the European Union or European Economic Area:
- These Terms do not exclude or limit any mandatory consumer rights you may have
- You may have the right to bring proceedings in your country of residence
- The European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
- We are not obligated to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board, but we will consider each case individually
19. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy above, constitute the entire agreement between you and Kevin Merz regarding your use of the App and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications.
21. Waiver
No waiver of any term or condition shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. Our failure to assert any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
22. Assignment
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.
23. Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, pandemics, government actions, network failures, or third-party service outages.
24. Apple App Store Additional Terms
If you downloaded the App from Apple's App Store, you also agree that:
- These Terms are between you and Kevin Merz, not Apple
- Apple has no obligation to provide maintenance or support for the App
- Apple is not responsible for any product warranties
- Apple is not responsible for addressing any claims related to the App
- Apple is not responsible for any third-party intellectual property claims
- Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce them
- You must comply with any applicable third-party terms when using the App
25. Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make material changes:
- We will update the "Last Updated" date
- We may notify you through the App or other means
- Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the App.
Summary of Key Points
For your convenience, here are the key points (this summary is not legally binding):
- The App uses AI which may make errors — always verify extracted data
- Receipt images are sent to our backend and processed by Google Gemini AI; they are not stored
- The free version shows ads via Google AdMob; the paid monthly subscription (Premium) is completely ad-free
- The App is provided "as is" without warranties
- We are not liable for any damages arising from your use of the App
- You are responsible for verifying all calculations before using them
- We may modify or discontinue the App at any time
- German law applies to these Terms
Contact & Legal Information
Data Controller
Kevin Merz
Merowingerweg 11a
59494 Soest, Germany
E-Mail: MerzKevin@me.com
Supervisory Authority
You have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority. For North Rhine-Westphalia:
Landesbeauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit Nordrhein-Westfalen (LDI NRW)
Kavalleriestraße 2-4, 40213 Düsseldorf
Website: www.ldi.nrw.de
Online Dispute Resolution
The European Commission provides an online dispute resolution platform for consumers:
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
We are not obligated and not willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.
Hosting
MKQ Internetservice
Kleinwolschendorf 16, 07937 Zeulenroda-Triebes, Germany
Website: www.mkq.de