Privacy Policy

Section 01

Overview

ScrewBolt ID ("we," "our," or "us") is a fastener identification application for iOS and Android developed to help trades professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts identify, specify, and source fasteners using camera scanning, engineering data, and AI-powered analysis.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you use the ScrewBolt ID mobile application and the screwboltid.com website (collectively, the "Service"), how we use it, how we protect it, and what choices you have.

Section 02

Information We Collect

We collect information in three ways: information you provide directly, information collected automatically, and information from third-party services you choose to use.

Information you provide directly:

• Email address — if you sign up for the ScrewBolt ID mailing list via our website (processed through Mailchimp).
• Support communications — if you contact us via the in-app "Contact Support" feature or by email, we retain the content of those communications to respond to you.
• Project data — fastener specifications, measurements, notes, and project names that you save within the app are stored locally on your device and, if you enable sync, in our secure cloud infrastructure.

Information collected automatically:

• Device identifiers — an anonymous device identifier used to associate your saved projects and preferences with your device.
• Device calibration data — screen dimensions and pixel density (PPI) used solely to calibrate on-screen measurement tools; this data is not linked to your identity.
• Crash reports & diagnostic data — anonymized crash logs and performance diagnostics to help us fix bugs and improve reliability.
• App usage analytics — anonymized, aggregated data about which features you use (e.g., Quick ID vs. Exact Mode, AI Assistant session counts) to prioritize product improvements. This does not include the content of your scans or AI conversations.

Information we do not collect:

• We do not collect your name, postal address, phone number, or payment information.
• We do not collect precise GPS location data.
• We do not build advertising profiles or track you across other apps or websites.

Section 03

Camera & Images

Camera access is central to ScrewBolt ID's core function. Here is exactly how images are handled:

• Live preview frames — captured in real time by your device camera to power Quick ID scanning. These frames are processed on-device or transmitted securely to our AI vision pipeline for identification. They are not stored after the identification result is returned.
• Capture images — a still image captured during Exact Mode or saved as part of a scan result. This image is stored locally on your device. It is transmitted to our servers only if you explicitly share or export a specification card.
• Calibration card images — frames used to detect a standard credit card for physical scale calibration. These are processed on-device and immediately discarded.
• No permanent server-side image storage — we do not retain your camera images on our servers. Images transmitted for AI processing are deleted from our systems as soon as the identification result is generated.

Section 04

AI Assistant

The ScrewBolt ID AI Fastener Assistant is powered by Anthropic's Claude API. When you use the AI Assistant tab, your text messages are transmitted to Anthropic's servers to generate responses.

• Conversation content is sent to Anthropic solely to fulfill your request. Anthropic processes this data under its own privacy policy and API usage terms.
• We do not store the content of your AI Assistant conversations on our servers beyond the current session. Conversation history displayed within the app is stored locally on your device only.
• We do not use the content of your AI conversations to train AI models or for advertising purposes.
• Fastener specifications you save via the "Save Spec" feature are stored in your local project data, not transmitted to Anthropic.

You can review Anthropic's privacy practices at anthropic.com/privacy.

Section 05

How We Use Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Provide and improve the Service — to operate core features including fastener scanning, identification, measurement calibration, specification locking, grade lookup, and project management.
• Calibrate measurement tools — device PPI and screen dimension data is used exclusively to render physically accurate on-screen rulers and engineering diagrams.
• Fix bugs and improve performance — anonymized crash logs and diagnostic data help us identify and resolve technical issues.
• Communicate with you — to respond to support requests and, if you have subscribed, to send product updates and launch announcements via email. You may unsubscribe at any time.
• Understand feature usage — aggregated, anonymized analytics help us understand which features are most valuable so we can prioritize development.
• Comply with legal obligations — to fulfill applicable legal requirements and enforce our Terms of Service.

We do not use your information for targeted advertising, behavioral profiling, or any purpose unrelated to operating and improving ScrewBolt ID.

Section 06

Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share data only in the limited circumstances described below:

• AI processing partner (Anthropic) — AI Assistant messages are transmitted to Anthropic's API for processing. Anthropic is a contracted service provider subject to data processing terms.
• Email marketing (Mailchimp) — if you subscribe to our mailing list, your email address is stored with Mailchimp, our email platform provider. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send.
• Affiliate retailers — the app surfaces affiliate links to retailers including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, McMaster-Carr, and Grainger for purchasing identified fasteners. Clicking these links may transmit standard referral information (page referrer, product ID) to those retailers. We do not share your personal information with these retailers.
• Analytics and crash reporting providers — we use third-party services for anonymized, aggregated analytics and crash diagnostics. These providers are contractually prohibited from using this data for any purpose other than providing the service.
• Legal requirements — we may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
• Business transfers — in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice in the app before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

Section 07

Data Storage & Retention

On-device storage: The majority of your ScrewBolt ID data — saved specifications, projects, AI conversation history, scan results, and app preferences — is stored locally on your device using AsyncStorage. This data persists until you delete the app or clear the app's data through your device settings.

Cloud storage (if applicable): If we introduce optional cloud sync or account features, we will clearly describe what is synced and how it is stored before you opt in. Any cloud-stored data is hosted on infrastructure with encryption at rest and in transit.

Scan images: Camera images transmitted for AI identification are deleted from our systems immediately upon returning the identification result, and in no case later than 24 hours after transmission.

Support communications: Retained for as long as necessary to resolve your support request and for up to 2 years thereafter for quality assurance purposes.

Email list: Retained until you unsubscribe. You may also request deletion by contacting us directly.

Analytics data: Aggregated, anonymized analytics data may be retained indefinitely as it cannot be linked to any individual user.

Section 08

Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction — request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion — request that we delete your personal information. For data stored locally on your device, you can delete it at any time by clearing app data or uninstalling the app.
• Opt out of email communications — unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in any email, or contact us directly.
• Camera & permissions — revoke any app permissions (camera, etc.) at any time through your device's operating system settings.
• Data portability — where applicable, request your data in a portable format.
• Restriction of processing — in certain circumstances, request that we restrict processing of your data.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address in Section 13. We will respond within 30 days. We do not charge a fee for these requests and will not discriminate against you for exercising them.

California residents (CCPA): You have the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, the right to request deletion, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

EEA/UK residents (GDPR): Our legal basis for processing your information is primarily (a) contractual necessity — to provide the Service you requested — and (b) legitimate interests in improving our product. You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Section 09

Children's Privacy

ScrewBolt ID is designed for professional tradespeople and adult DIY enthusiasts. The Service is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe we may have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at the address in Section 13.

Section 10

Security

We take the security of your information seriously and implement industry-standard measures to protect it:

• All data transmitted between the app and our servers uses TLS encryption.
• Any cloud-stored data is encrypted at rest using AES-256 or equivalent.
• Access to user data within our systems is restricted on a need-to-know basis.
• We regularly review and update our security practices.

Section 11

Third-Party Links & Services

The ScrewBolt ID app and website may contain links to third-party websites and services, including:

• Retail affiliate partners (Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, McMaster-Carr, Grainger)
• The Anthropic AI platform
• The screwboltid.com landing page hosted on Netlify

This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party sites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third parties.

Section 12

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, the Service, or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
• Display a notice within the ScrewBolt ID app for changes that materially affect how we handle your data.
• If you have subscribed to our mailing list, send an email notification for significant changes.

Your continued use of the Service after any changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the updated policy, you should discontinue use of the Service and may request deletion of your data as described in Section 8.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Previous versions of this policy are available upon request.

Section 13

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us: