Privacy Policy

Spines ("we", "our", or "us") operates the Spines mobile application (the "App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the App.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account information: when you sign in (for example with Apple), we receive an identifier and may receive an email address. We do not store passwords if you use Sign in with Apple.
• Photos: images you take or upload to scan shelves. Images may be processed by AI services to identify book titles. We may store shelf images you choose to upload to provide scan history.
• Preferences: genres you add (and genres you want to avoid) to personalize recommendations.
• Subscription status: if you subscribe to Premium, we store your subscription status to unlock Premium features. Payments are handled by Apple; we do not receive your payment card details.

Information Collected Automatically

• Usage data: basic interactions such as scans performed and features used, to enforce free-tier limits and improve the App.
• Device information: basic device and OS version for compatibility and debugging.
• Location data (optional): if you grant permission, we may collect your approximate location and GPS accuracy to label where a scan occurred and show it on a map. You can disable location permissions at any time in your device settings.
• Map tiles on our website: the maps on our charity-shop directory pages load map images from OpenStreetMap (or another tile provider we configure). Your browser sends its IP address and the page address to that provider when a map is displayed; we do not send them any other information about you.

How We Use Your Information

• To process shelf scans and identify books.
• To personalize recommendations based on your preferences.
• To maintain scan history (if enabled) and allow you to revisit past finds.
• To tag scan locations and display them in the App when location is provided.
• To operate and improve the App, including reliability and abuse prevention.

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service providers: vendors that help us operate the App (e.g., hosting, authentication, AI processing, subscription management).
• Legal requirements: if required to comply with law or protect our rights.

Third-Party Services

The App may use:

• Supabase for authentication and data storage.
• AI vision services to help read book spines and identify books.
• RevenueCat for subscription management.
• Meta for advertising measurement — see below.

Advertising Cookies on This Website

This website can use the Meta Pixel, an advertising tool from Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. It sets a cookie and tells Meta which pages you viewed on spinesapp.com, so that we can show Spines adverts to people with similar interests and avoid advertising to people who already use the app.

The pixel does not load until you accept it. When you first visit we show a banner; nothing is sent to Meta unless you choose “Allow”. Declining costs you nothing — every part of the site works the same. Your choice is stored in your browser, and you can change it by clearing this site’s data in your browser settings.

Meta acts as an independent controller for the data it receives. Their handling of it is described in the Meta Privacy Policy.

Advertising Measurement in the App

The App includes Meta’s measurement SDK. It tells Meta when the app was installed, opened, and when someone starts a trial or subscribes, so we can tell which adverts are worth running. It reports events, not what you scan, read, or save — your library, your scans and your location never go to Meta.

On iPhone and iPad, measurement runs through Apple’s SKAdNetwork, which is aggregated and cannot identify you. We only ask for the App Tracking Transparency permission if we ever need more than that, and the app works the same whether you allow it or not.

On Android, the SDK uses your device’s advertising ID. You can reset it or opt out of personalised ads entirely in Settings → Google → Ads.

Data Retention

We retain information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. You can delete your account via the App settings, which removes your personal data from our systems (subject to legal requirements).

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your data. To request help, email us.

Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will update the “Last updated” date on this page.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

[email protected]