Effective date: June 24, 2025
Last updated: June 24, 2025
Short version: OpenCalorie does not collect, sell, or share your personal data. Your food logs and profile are stored on your device and in your own private iCloud (CloudKit) database — only you can access them. We operate no custom servers.
1. Overview
OpenCalorie ("we", "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information OpenCalorie processes, where it is stored, and how it is used. OpenCalorie is a native iOS application. It has no custom backend server. Cloud storage is handled exclusively through Apple's CloudKit infrastructure using your own private iCloud account.
2. Data We Collect
OpenCalorie stores only the data you explicitly provide within the app:
- Profile data — name, age, sex, height, weight, activity level, and calorie goal that you enter.
- Meal logs — meals, food items, and nutritional data that you record.
- Fridge items — food products and meal templates you choose to save.
- Sign in with Apple credentials — if you choose to sign in with Apple, your name and email address (provided by Apple on first sign-in only) are stored locally on your device in the app's private storage. They are never transmitted to any server operated by us.
All data is stored on your device and, where iCloud is available, in your private CloudKit database. We have no access to any of it.
3. Data We Never Collect
OpenCalorie does not collect, transmit, or store any of the following:
- Location data or GPS coordinates
- Device identifiers or advertising IDs
- Usage analytics or behavioral telemetry
- Crash reports sent to our servers
- Any data for advertising or marketing purposes
4. Third-Party Services
OpenCalorie uses one external service:
- Open Food Facts API — when you scan a barcode or search for a food product, OpenCalorie sends only the barcode number or search text to the Open Food Facts API at openfoodfacts.org. No personal data is included in these requests. Please review the Open Food Facts Privacy Policy for details on their data handling.
No other third-party SDKs, analytics tools, advertising networks, or tracking services are included in the app.
5. Data Storage & CloudKit
OpenCalorie uses Apple CloudKit as its cloud database. This is Apple's infrastructure — not a server we operate — and your data lives exclusively in your own private CloudKit database (container iCloud.slajob.OpenCalorie). Only your Apple ID can access it; we cannot.
This architecture means your data automatically survives app reinstalls and phone replacements: when you reinstall or switch to a new iPhone, OpenCalorie restores your meals, profile, and fridge from your private CloudKit database before prompting for setup.
Data is stored in two layers:
- On-device — via Apple's SwiftData framework, protected by iOS device encryption. Available immediately and works offline.
- Private CloudKit database — automatically synced when your device has an active iCloud account. Enables multi-device access and data restoration. This is subject to Apple's Privacy Policy.
Local mode: if you choose "Continue without account" at the sign-in screen, your data is stored on-device only. No CloudKit sync occurs and your data cannot be restored if you delete the app or change devices.
We do not operate any servers that receive or store your personal data. We cannot access your data, reset your account, or recover lost data.
6. Apple HealthKit
OpenCalorie can optionally read data from Apple HealthKit in two ways:
- Profile import (onboarding) — height, weight, date of birth, and biological sex are read once, with your explicit permission, to pre-fill your profile. This data is never written back to HealthKit and never transmitted off your device.
- Workout calories (optional) — when enabled in Settings, the app reads active energy burned during workouts to extend your daily calorie budget. This is used only for local calculations and is never transmitted anywhere.
HealthKit data will never be shared with third parties or used for advertising.
7. Children's Privacy
OpenCalorie does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal data within the app, please contact us so we can address the situation.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
