Privacy Policy

Haul ("we", "our", "the app") helps you compare grocery prices across stores near you and find the cheapest place to shop. This policy explains what information we collect, why, and how it's used.

Information We Collect

• Anonymous user ID: a randomly generated identifier stored in your browser (localStorage). This is not linked to your name or account — there is no account.
• Location data: if you share your location or enter a postal code, we use it to find grocery stores near you and show relevant prices. Approximate location (postal code level) may be stored to improve future searches in your area.
• Grocery list items: the items you search for, used to find prices and improve our product database for everyone.
• Receipt photos: if you choose to scan a receipt, the image is processed to extract item names and prices (using Google Cloud Vision and Anthropic's AI). Receipt images are not stored permanently after processing.
• Push notification subscription: if you opt in to price-drop alerts, we store a browser push subscription token tied to your anonymous user ID.
• Usage data: searches performed (postal code, items, timestamp) to improve coverage and store discovery. This data is not linked to your identity.

How We Use Information

• To show you grocery prices and the cheapest shopping route near your location.
• To discover and verify grocery store locations (via OpenStreetMap and Google Places).
• To send optional push notifications about price drops on items you've searched for.
• To improve our product database through community contributions (receipt scans, corrections).

What We Don't Do

• We don't require sign-up, so we don't collect names, emails, or passwords (unless you voluntarily provide an email to receive a reward).
• We don't sell your personal data to third parties.
• We don't track you across other apps or websites.

Aggregated Market Data

Haul collects grocery price information (product names, prices, stores, regions, and dates) as part of its core function of comparing prices. This pricing data is not linked to you personally — we do not connect it to your identity, location history, or shopping habits. We may compile this price information into aggregated, de-identified market reports (for example, regional price trends over time) and may share or license these aggregated reports with third parties, such as researchers or industry partners. These reports never include personal information, individual shopping lists, receipts, or anything that could identify you.

Third-Party Services

Haul uses the following third-party services to function:

• OpenStreetMap (Overpass API) — store location data
• Google Places API — store location fallback
• Google Cloud Vision — receipt text extraction
• Anthropic — receipt item classification
• Railway — application hosting and database

These services may receive limited data (e.g. coordinates, receipt images, search terms) solely to provide their function to Haul.

Data Retention

Search history is retained for 30 days. Price data is refreshed continuously and old prices (older than 7 days) are not used in results. You can clear your local data at any time by clearing your browser's site data for Haul.

Your Choices

• You can deny location access and enter a postal code instead.
• You can disable push notifications at any time from the Stars menu.
• Clearing your browser storage resets your anonymous ID and local preferences.

Children's Privacy

Haul is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect data from them.

Contact

Questions about this policy? Email dstienwandt@gmail.com.

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