Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2026

Overview

BarkCode is designed with transparency in mind. We want you to understand exactly how your data is handled when you use our app.

Data We Collect

Photos: When you scan food with BarkCode, your photos are sent to OpenAI's GPT Vision API for AI-powered food safety analysis.

Photo Metadata: Date and time when photos were taken (only if you enable this feature in Settings).

Device Identifier: A unique ID generated for your device to store and retrieve your scan history without requiring an account.

Data Storage

Your scans are stored on our servers and associated with your device ID. This allows you to access your scan history across sessions.

Important: Scans are publicly accessible. Anyone with the scan URL can view the scan results. We do not require authentication to view individual scans.

Data Deletion

You can delete your data at any time through the app:

  • Delete individual scans from your History screen
  • Delete all photos/scans from the Settings screen
  • Delete all app data (including settings) from Settings → Delete all app data

Once deleted, your scans are removed and no one can access them.

Note: Uploaded image files may continue to exist at their URLs even after deletion from your history.

Third-Party Services

We share your photos and optional photo dates with OpenAI for AI analysis. OpenAI's data handling practices are governed by their own privacy policy. We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

What We Don't Do

  • We do not use your device ID for advertising
  • We do not track you across other apps
  • We do not require account creation

Children's Privacy

BarkCode does not knowingly collect information from children under 13. The app is intended for general audiences and pet owners of all ages.

Your Consent

By using BarkCode, you consent to the collection and processing of your photos and device ID as described in this policy. You can withdraw consent by deleting the app or by deleting all app data in Settings.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, please reach out through our support page.