Short version: Your shopping lists stay on your phone. We do not collect, store, or sell your personal data, and the app is not connected to any Tim Weston Apps servers. The app uses Google Firebase for the optional list-sharing and real-time sync feature, and Google AdMob for ads — both operate under Google's own privacy policy. No registration, no email, no account required — ever.
1. Who we are
Tim Weston Apps is an independent app developer based in Australia, operating at timwestonapps.com. You can contact us at tim@timwestonapps.com.
Our philosophy is simple: your privacy matters. We build apps that are genuinely useful, without tracking who you are, selling your data, or requiring you to hand over any personal information.
2. What data we collect
We do not collect any personal data directly. The app does not require an account or email address. Your shopping lists, favourites, and history are stored locally on your device.
When you use the optional list-sharing feature, a temporary encrypted share link is generated using Google Firebase (see section 4). Your list content may be stored briefly in Firebase's cloud infrastructure while the share is active, but is not associated with your name, email, or any identity.
3. Advertising (Google AdMob)
The free version of the app displays advertisements provided by Google AdMob. AdMob may collect and use data to serve relevant ads, including:
- Device advertising ID (Android Advertising ID / GAID)
- Approximate location (country/region level, inferred from IP)
- App usage signals (for ad frequency capping and relevance)
This data is collected and processed by Google, not by Tim Weston Apps. We do not receive or store it. You can learn more in Google's Privacy Policy and manage your ad preferences in your device's Google settings under Ads → Reset Advertising ID, or opt out of ad personalisation there.
Purchasing the one-time upgrade to remove ads disables AdMob entirely within the app.
4. Firebase (list sharing & app analytics)
The app uses Google Firebase, a platform provided by Google LLC. Firebase is used in two ways:
- Firebase Realtime Database — powers the optional list-sharing and real-time sync feature. There are two ways to share a list:
- Send a copy — share a snapshot of your list via WhatsApp, email, or any messaging app. The recipient receives a one-time copy.
- Live shared list — create a real-time shared list with a family member or housemate who also has the app. One person generates a QR code; the other scans it using the app's built-in camera scanner. Once connected, both users see the same live list. The shared list is stored in Firebase's cloud while active. No account or email is required. No information that identifies you personally is stored alongside the list data.
- Firebase Analytics — provides anonymised usage statistics including: device model, OS version, country, language, app version, and a randomly generated Firebase Installation ID. This ID is pseudonymous and cannot be used to identify you as an individual.
What we can see in the Firebase console: aggregated counts such as the number of active users by country. We cannot see who individual users are, what they have on their shopping lists, or anything that identifies a person.
Firebase is operated by Google LLC. Data may be processed in the United States and other countries where Google operates. For full details, see Firebase's Privacy and Security documentation and Google's Privacy Policy.
You can reset the Firebase Installation ID by clearing the app's data in your Android settings (Settings → Apps → Your Shopping List → Clear Data).
5. Permissions
The app may request the following Android permissions:
- Internet — required to load advertisements and to enable the optional list-sharing and real-time sync features via Firebase.
- Camera — used only to scan a QR code when joining a shared list. No images are captured or stored.
- Storage (optional) — only if you export or share a list locally. Used solely for that action.
We do not request access to your microphone, contacts, or precise location.
6. Children's privacy
Our apps are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you have concerns, please contact us at tim@timwestonapps.com.
7. Data retention and deletion
Your shopping lists and app data are stored on your device. You can delete them at any time by clearing the app's data in your Android settings, or by uninstalling the app.
Shared list data stored in Firebase is temporary and is not retained by us indefinitely. The app is not connected to any Tim Weston Apps servers.
8. Third-party services summary
- Google Firebase (Realtime Database + Analytics) — list sharing and anonymised app analytics
- Google AdMob (free version only) — in-app advertising
We do not integrate social login, crash reporting tools beyond Firebase, or any marketing or tracking SDKs.
9. Changes to this policy
If we make material changes to this privacy policy, we will update the date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
10. Your rights
Because we do not collect personal data directly, most privacy rights are exercised through your device or through Google for Firebase and AdMob data. For any privacy-related questions, contact us at tim@timwestonapps.com.
11. Contact
For any questions about this privacy policy or your data, please email: tim@timwestonapps.com