Privacy Policy

Maiti LLC ("TipLens," "we," "us," or "our") operates the TipLens mobile application for iPhone and Android (the "App"), which helps people understand tipping expectations before they pay. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

By using TipLens, you agree to the collection and use of information as described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

Information we collect

Account information

If you create an account (by email and password, Google Sign-In, or Sign in with Apple on iPhone), we collect your email address and the display name you provide. Google and Apple share only what you authorize (typically name and email); we never see your Google or Apple password.

Optional profile details

You may add a home city, a website and a short bio to your profile. These are optional and you can change or remove them at any time.

Location

With your permission, the App uses your device's location to show nearby places, centre the map, default searches to your city, and place the pin when you add a new business. To fetch nearby places, the App sends the area around you to our database; we do not store a history of where you have been.

On iPhone, if you choose to allow location access "Always," the App can remind you to leave a review when you are near a place. These reminders are handled on your device by iOS, using a small set of nearby places; your location is not sent to us in the background. You can deny or change location access at any time in your device settings, and the rest of the App keeps working. The Android app only uses your location while it is open.

Content you submit

Reviews (tip amount, how you tipped, what the terminal suggested, ratings, an optional title and comment), delivery app ratings, new business listings, suggested corrections to a listing, business claims, reports, helpful votes, the people you block, and your saved favourites and trips (including any trip dates). TipLens does not accept photos.

Notifications

If you allow notifications, we store a push token for your device and your preferred language so we can tell you when a review you wrote has been approved or declined. Trip and weekend reminders are scheduled on your device and you can turn them off in Profile.

Usage and device data

We use Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics (Google services) to understand how the App is used and to diagnose crashes. This includes device type, operating system and app version, general usage (such as screens viewed) and crash logs. We do not use this data to identify you personally.

Advertising identifier

On iPhone and Android, we show a small banner and clearly labelled "Sponsored" cards through Google AdMob. AdMob may use your device's advertising identifier (IDFA on iPhone, advertising ID on Android) to show more relevant ads. On iPhone this only happens if you allow it in Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt. If you're in the EU, UK or Switzerland, Google's consent form asks before any identifier is used, on both platforms. If you decline, the App works normally and ads are simply less personalized.

Stored on your device

Settings such as language, appearance and reminder choices, recently viewed places, and tipping guides you save for offline use are stored on your device only.

How we use your information

• Provide and maintain the App's features (nearby search, the map, reviews, tip statistics, guides, favourites and trips)
• Create and secure your account
• Moderate content: written reviews are checked before they appear publicly, and reports are reviewed by our team
• Send the notifications you have allowed
• Respond to support requests and enforce our Terms of Service
• Diagnose and fix crashes and bugs
• Show non-intrusive, clearly labelled ads that keep the App free
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information.

Sharing and third-party services

We share information only as needed to operate the App:

• Supabase (database, authentication and server functions) stores your account, reviews and related data. Access is restricted by row-level security.
• Google Firebase (Analytics, Crashlytics, Cloud Messaging) and Google AdMob process usage data, push tokens and the advertising identifier as described above, under Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Sign-In and Sign in with Apple are used only to authenticate you.
• Apple and Google distribute the App through the App Store and Google Play, under their own privacy policies.
• Your phone's built-in address lookup (Apple on iPhone, Google on Android) is used to place a new business on the map, and your maps app opens if you tap a place's address.

We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users and the public. We do not share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing.

What other people can see

Published reviews are shown with a short version of your name (first name and last initial) and the home city on your profile, if you set one. Delivery app ratings are only ever shown as totals and averages, never individually. Your email address, favourites, trips, reports and blocks are never shown to other users.

Retention and account deletion

We keep your account information while your account is active. You can permanently delete your account and associated personal data at any time from Profile → Delete account in the App. This immediately deletes your account, reviews, ratings, favourites, trips, votes and reports. Businesses you added remain in the App, since they describe real places used by the whole community, but are no longer linked to you.

You can also ask us to delete your data by emailing us (see Contact us). Crash and analytics data is kept by Google according to its own retention settings.

Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, to receive a copy of it, or to object to or restrict certain processing.

Quebec residents (Law 25): you have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, and to be informed of any automated decision-making that significantly affects you. TipLens does not use automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects. You may direct privacy questions or complaints to us, or to the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec.

Other Canadian residents: these rights are provided consistent with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Residents of the EU, UK and other regions with similar laws may exercise the rights those laws grant by contacting us.

To exercise any of these rights, use the in-app account deletion feature or contact us. We will respond within 30 days.

Children's privacy

TipLens is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required where you live), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including row-level security on our database and encrypted connections. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International data transfers

Our service providers (Supabase and Google) may process and store data in countries other than your own, including the United States. By using the App, you consent to this transfer.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will change the effective date above when we do, and for material changes we will let you know in the App. Continued use of the App after changes take effect means you accept the revised policy.

Contact us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data: