This Privacy Policy explains what information 185 Labs ("we", "us") collects when you use the How To Use app and howtouseapp.com, how we use it, and the choices you have. We designed How To Use to collect as little personal data as possible.
Summary
- No accounts, no sign-in. We do not ask for your name, email, or phone number to use the app.
- Photos you scan are sent to our service to generate a guide, then removed from our servers after processing.
- Your saved scans (photos and guides) are stored on your device.
- Subscriptions are handled by Apple; we never see your payment details.
- We do not sell your data and do not use it for advertising.
Information We Collect
Photos and prompts you submit
When you scan a product, the image you capture and any optional text context you add are sent to our analysis service. We send that image to an AI model provider to generate your guide. The image is processed in memory and is not retained on our servers after the guide is returned.
Data stored on your device
The scan record — the photo and the generated guide — is stored locally on your device so you can come back to it later. You can delete any scan from within the app, or remove all of it by uninstalling.
Subscription information
If you start a subscription, that transaction is handled by Apple under your Apple ID. We use RevenueCat to check your subscription status, which gives us an anonymous identifier, your purchase status, and related receipt information. We do not receive your name, email, or payment details.
Permissions you grant
The app asks for camera and photo library access so you can capture or choose an image to scan. These permissions are used only when you take action; we do not access your camera or library in the background.
Diagnostic and crash data
If you opt in through iOS, Apple may share anonymous crash and performance data with us through standard Apple reporting tools. This information is used to fix bugs and improve stability.
Website analytics
howtouseapp.com may use privacy-friendly analytics to count page views and understand which pages are useful. This does not rely on tracking cookies or build advertising profiles.
How We Use Information
- To generate the guide you requested from your photo;
- To operate, maintain, and improve the Service, including debugging and preventing abuse;
- To manage your subscription and provide access to paid features;
- To respond to you when you contact support.
How We Share Information
We share only the minimum information needed to run the Service, with these categories of providers:
- AI model provider — processes your photo to generate the guide. Photos are used for that request and are not used to train models.
- Cloudflare — hosts our backend and delivers the Service. Standard request logs (such as IP address and request timing) are handled as part of normal operation.
- Apple — processes subscription purchases and delivers the app through the App Store.
- RevenueCat — helps us check subscription status on device.
We do not sell your personal information and we do not share it with advertisers.
Retention
- Photos submitted for scanning: processed in memory and removed after the guide is generated.
- Scan records (photo + guide): kept on your device until you delete them or uninstall the app.
- Server logs: retained for a short period for debugging and abuse prevention, then deleted or anonymized.
Children
How To Use is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has used the Service, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
Your Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of your personal information. Because we store the bulk of your data (photos and guides) on your device, you can exercise most of these rights directly by deleting scans or uninstalling the app. For anything else, email support@howtouseapp.com and we'll help.
Security
We use TLS in transit, access controls, and standard engineering practices to protect information we handle. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to minimize the data we collect so that there's less to protect.
International Users
If you use the Service from outside the country where our providers operate, information may be transferred to and processed in that country. We rely on standard contractual protections with our providers.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Effective" date above and, where appropriate, through in-app or email notice.
Contact
Questions or requests about privacy? Email support@howtouseapp.com.