Privacy Policy
Effective 26 May 2026 · Last updated 4 August 2026
1. About OweNo
OweNo is an independently developed mobile app for iOS and Android. If you have any privacy-related questions, please reach out to us on X (Twitter) at @OweNo_Money via direct message.
2. What Data We Collect
We only collect what is necessary to provide the App's core functionality. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data.
2.1 Data You Provide Directly
| Data Type | Details / Purpose |
|---|---|
| Display Name | Your chosen name shown to group members. |
| Email Address | Used for account creation, authentication, and transactional notifications. |
| Profile Photo URL | If you sign in with Google, we store the URL of your Google profile picture. |
| Group & Expense Data | Group names, emojis, colours, member lists, expense descriptions, amounts, currencies, splits, and settlement records you enter into the App. |
| Receipt Images | When you use the receipt scanning feature, a photo of your receipt is captured and sent to Google's Gemini API for text extraction. The image is used solely to read the receipt and is not stored by us after processing. |
2.2 Data Collected Automatically
| Data Type | Details / Purpose |
|---|---|
| Firebase User ID | A unique identifier assigned by Firebase Authentication when you create an account. |
| FCM Push Token | A device identifier issued by Firebase Cloud Messaging, used solely to deliver push notifications. |
| Contact IDs | If you use the QR / contact-linking feature, we store anonymised contact references to help you find friends already on OweNo. We do not upload your full device address book. |
2.3 Data We Do NOT Collect
- Precise or coarse device location
- Payment card numbers or bank details
- Browsing history or cross-app tracking identifiers
- Health or fitness data
- Receipt images are not stored on our servers after Gemini has processed them
3. How We Use Your Data
| Purpose | Detail |
|---|---|
| Core Functionality | Authenticate your account; create and manage groups, expenses, and settlements; calculate smart settlements; display real-time balances. |
| Receipt Scanning | When you photograph a receipt, the image is sent to Google's Gemini API to extract line items, totals, and currency. The image is not stored by us after processing. |
| Push Notifications | Send you alerts when a group member adds an expense, settles a debt, or modifies the group. You can opt out at any time. |
| Currency Conversion | Fetch live exchange rates from frankfurter.app. No personal data is sent to this service. |
| Account Management | Allow you to update your profile, change your password, or delete your account. |
| Security & Fraud Prevention | Firebase Authentication monitors for suspicious sign-in activity. |
We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or any purpose not listed above.
4. Third-Party Services
| Service | Role | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Google Firebase | Firestore (database), Authentication, Cloud Messaging, and Cloud Functions. | policies.google.com |
| Google Sign-In | OAuth 2.0-based authentication. | policies.google.com |
| Google Gemini API | AI-powered receipt scanning. | ai.google.dev/terms |
| frankfurter.app | Open-source exchange-rate API. No personal data transmitted. | frankfurter.app |
5. Artificial Intelligence — Disclosure
OweNo uses Google's Gemini API for one specific feature: receipt scanning.
What happens when you scan a receipt
- You take a photo of a receipt inside the App.
- That image is sent securely (HTTPS) to Google's Gemini API.
- Gemini reads the receipt and returns the extracted text to the App.
- The App uses this data to pre-fill your expense entry.
- We do not store the receipt image on our servers. Once Gemini has processed it, it is discarded.
Your choice
Receipt scanning is an optional feature. You can always enter expense details manually. If you prefer not to have any image data sent to a third-party AI service, simply do not use the receipt scanning feature.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will permanently delete your data from our live systems within 30 days. Residual copies in automated backups are purged within a further 60 days. Receipt images are not retained by us at any point.
7. Data Security
- All data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore), which encrypts data at rest and in transit (TLS).
- Firebase Authentication uses industry-standard hashing for passwords; we never store plaintext passwords.
- Access to Firestore data is controlled by Firebase Security Rules.
- Receipt images are transmitted to the Gemini API over HTTPS and are not stored on our servers.
No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Rights & Data Deletion
- Delete your account: go to Profile → Settings → Delete Account inside the App.
- Submit a data deletion request: DM us on X at @OweNo_Money with the subject "Data Deletion Request" and include your account email. We will respond within 30 days.
- Opt out of AI receipt scanning: simply do not use the receipt scanning feature.
- Opt out of push notifications: go to iOS Settings → Notifications → OweNo.
- Correct your data: update your display name and profile photo via Profile → Edit Profile.
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
9. App Store Privacy Labels
Data Used to Track You
None. OweNo does not track users across third-party apps or websites.
Data Linked to You
| Data Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Your display name, linked to your account. |
| Email Address | Used for authentication and account management. |
| User ID | Firebase UID, used to identify your account across App sessions. |
| Device ID | FCM push token, used exclusively for push notifications. |
| Other Data | Group, expense, and settlement data you create within the App. |
10. Children's Privacy
OweNo is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us via X at @OweNo_Money.
11. International Data Transfers
OweNo uses Google Firebase and Google's Gemini API, which operate on Google's global infrastructure. Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States. By using the App, you consent to such transfers.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date and, where changes are material, notify you via push notification or a post on our X account @OweNo_Money.
13. Contact Us
Have a question or concern about this Privacy Policy? Reach us on X: x.com/OweNo_Money — DMs are open.