Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how 2 Bears Software Limited (“we”, “us”, “our”) handles personal data when you use Magnify & Read Aloud or Magnify & Read Aloud Pro (“the Apps”). The Apps are digital magnifiers designed to help people with visual impairments read and examine the world around them.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with applicable data protection laws worldwide, including (where applicable) the UK GDPR, EU GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, CCPA/CPRA, PIPEDA, Australia’s Privacy Act 1988, Brazil’s LGPD, India’s DPDPA 2023, and other equivalent privacy standards.

For the purposes of applicable data protection laws, 2 Bears Software Limited is the data controller. The Apps are designed so that all camera images, captured photos, and recognised text stay on your device and are never transmitted to us.

1. Overview

The Apps do not collect, store, or transmit your personal data to us. Everything happens on your device. The only third-party data collection occurs through Google AdMob in the Free Version, as described below.

2. Camera

The Apps use your device camera to display a magnified live view. Camera images are processed in real time on your device and are never transmitted, stored on external servers, or shared with any third party.

When you save an image, it is saved to your device’s local storage only. We do not access, collect, or transmit any images you capture.

3. Text Recognition (OCR)

When you use the text recognition feature, image processing is performed entirely on your device using Google’s ML Kit library. No images or recognised text are sent to any server. The recognised text exists only in memory for the duration of your session and is discarded when you close the reader.

4. Text to Speech

Text to speech is provided by your device’s built‑in Android TTS engine. No text is transmitted externally. All TTS processing occurs locally on your device.

5. Advertising (Free Version Only)

The Free Version of the Apps displays non‑personalised advertisements via Google AdMob. AdMob may collect:

• Device identifiers
• Approximate location (coarse, not precise)
• App interaction data

This data is processed under Google’s own Privacy Policy. We do not receive, store, or access this advertising data. The Subscription and Pro Versions do not display advertisements.

Google’s data practices are governed by their own Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

6. Purchases

If you choose to purchase the Pro Version or a Subscription, the transaction is handled entirely by Google Play Billing. We do not receive or store your payment details. Google’s own privacy policy governs that transaction.

7. Analytics and Crash Reporting

The Apps do not use analytics software. We do not track how you use the Apps, which features you use, or how long your sessions are.

The Apps do not use crash reporting software. If an App crashes, no data is automatically sent anywhere.

8. Data Stored on Your Device

The Apps store the following information locally on your device only:

• Captured images saved by you
• App preferences such as handedness, brightness, font size, and language
• Local purchase or subscription status cache

This data never leaves your device and is not accessible by us.

9. Information We Do Not Collect

We do not collect, transmit, or store on our servers:

• Camera images or live camera feed
• Recognised text from OCR
• Names, email addresses, or contact details
• Location data
• Payment card details
• Any personally identifiable information

We do not sell, rent, or monetise personal data. We do not use tracking technologies for behavioural profiling.

10. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share personal data. The only third party involved in data collection is Google AdMob in the Free Version. Google Play processes payment and licensing data under its own policies.

11. International Data Transfers

All camera, OCR, and TTS data is processed solely on your device and is never transferred internationally by us.

Google AdMob data (Free Version only) is processed by Google LLC, which operates servers in the United States and other countries. For users in the UK and EEA, this transfer is carried out under Google’s Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA). Google LLC is certified under the EU‑US Data Privacy Framework.

12. No Automated Decision‑Making

The Apps do not use automated decision‑making or profiling as defined under the UK GDPR or EU GDPR (Article 22). No decisions with legal or similarly significant effects are made about you automatically.

13. Legal Basis for Processing

Where required by law:

• Camera, OCR, and TTS processing occurs entirely on your device under your control
• Advertising data in the Free Version is processed by Google under their own legal bases; where consent is required in your jurisdiction, Google’s own consent mechanisms may apply
• Contact information you send us is processed under our legitimate interests in responding to enquiries

14. Children’s Privacy

The Apps do not collect data from anyone. As no personal data is collected by us, the Apps are safe for use by people of all ages. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

15. Your Rights (UK and EU/EEA Users)

If you are located in the UK or EU/EEA, you have rights under the UK GDPR or EU GDPR to:

• access information about how your data is processed
• request rectification of inaccurate data
• request erasure of your data
• object to or restrict certain processing
• data portability where applicable
• withdraw consent at any time
• lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Because we do not store personal data on our own systems, these rights primarily apply to data held by Google (AdMob, Google Play). For requests relating to data held by Google, please refer to Google’s own privacy controls.

If you are in the UK, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Our ICO Registration Number is ZC116025.

If you are in the EU or EEA, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority (DPA).

To exercise any right that requires our assistance, contact us at 2BearsSoftware@gmail.com.

16. US Residents — CCPA / CPRA

If you are a resident of the United States, including California, you may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA to know, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. We do not sell or share personal information. AdMob data is processed by Google under their own policies. Contact us at 2BearsSoftware@gmail.com with any privacy‑related requests.

17. Canadian Residents — PIPEDA

We do not collect personal data on our own systems. The only data processing involving a third party is Google AdMob in the Free Version. You may contact us with any privacy‑related requests.

18. Australian Residents — Privacy Act 1988

We handle personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. You have the right to access and correct personal information we hold about you. Contact us at 2BearsSoftware@gmail.com.

19. Brazilian Residents — LGPD

We process personal data on the basis of our legitimate interests in providing the Apps. You have the rights of confirmation, access, correction, anonymisation, deletion, portability, and information about sharing. Contact us to exercise these rights.

20. Indian Residents — DPDPA 2023

We process personal data only for the purposes described in this policy. You have the right to access information, correct inaccuracies, and withdraw consent. Contact us at 2BearsSoftware@gmail.com.

21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Privacy Policy, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with it or your use of the Apps, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Where legally permitted, any legal proceedings relating to this Privacy Policy or your use of the Apps must be brought exclusively in the courts of England and Wales.

Nothing in this section affects any mandatory rights you may have under the laws of your country of residence, including any right to bring proceedings before your local courts that cannot be waived or restricted by applicable law.

22. Changes to This Policy

If we make changes to this policy we will update the date at the top of this page. We will not introduce data collection practices without updating this policy before those changes are released.

23. Contact