Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2026
1. Overview
Your privacy matters. This policy explains what HonestVu collects, why, how it’s used, and — just as importantly — what we deliberately do not collect. By using HonestVu, you agree to the practices described here.
2. Scan photos are not stored by HonestVu
When you take or upload a scan photo, it stays in your browser’s memory until you tap "Analyze my skin." It is then sent once, over an encrypted connection, to our AI service for analysis. The photo is not stored by HonestVu, not written to any database or file storage, and not linked to your account. Once your results are generated, we cannot view or recover your scan photos. If you choose to save a scan to your account, only the written analysis and product recommendations are saved — never the photo itself.
3. Facial and skin image processing (biometric privacy laws)
When you scan, HonestVu processes an image of your face or another area of skin. Images of a face can be treated as biometric information or "special category" data under laws such as the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act, the Washington My Health My Data Act and biometric statute, and the EU and UK GDPR. Those laws govern the processing of facial data, not only its storage, so we want to be exact about what happens.
Purpose: the only purpose is to generate your skincare observations and product matches, for you, at the moment you ask for them. Consent: processing happens only when you deliberately choose to scan and confirm it — we do not process any image otherwise. What we do not do: we do not create or store a faceprint, face template, face geometry map, or any biometric identifier; we do not use facial data to identify you, to match you against any other person or database, for advertising, or for profiling; and we do not sell, rent, or trade it, or disclose it to data brokers. Retention: the image is not retained at all. It is held in your device’s memory, sent once over an encrypted connection for analysis, and discarded once your results are produced — so there is no biometric retention period or destruction schedule to wait out, and we cannot retrieve a past scan image even if asked. Your choices: you can decline entirely — simply don’t scan, and the rest of HonestVu still works, including the journal and product information. Deleting your account removes everything we hold for you. Questions or requests about facial data: HonestVu@Gmail.com.
4. Journal photos are private
If you create an account and use the skincare journal, you can optionally upload progress photos. These are stored privately in your account, are visible only to you, and are not shared, sold, or used for any other purpose. You can delete them at any time.
5. Account information
When you sign up (with email or through Google or Apple), we store your account identifier, your email address, and any optional profile information you provide, such as a display name. Your password is handled by our authentication provider and is never visible to us in plain text. Saved scans store the written analysis and recommended products, not the original photo.
6. Skin-type quiz answers
Your skin-type quiz result is stored in your browser on your own device so it can tailor your recommendations. It is not tied to your name or email unless you choose to save results to your account.
7. Anonymous usage data
We collect anonymous, aggregated data about which product links are tapped and which retailer pages are reached. This helps us understand which recommendations are genuinely useful and improve the catalog. This data is not tied to your name, email, or account, and we do not build individual advertising profiles. To apply daily free-scan limits we also keep a count of scans against a random browser identifier (or your account, if you are signed in) and your network address in a shortened, scrambled form. No photo is ever stored with it.
8. Affiliate links and third-party sites
Some product links are affiliate links. When you tap one, you leave HonestVu and the retailer (such as Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, or a brand’s own store) may place cookies or track the visit according to its own privacy policy, which we encourage you to read. HonestVu does not receive personal information about you from those retailers — at most, we receive commission reports that identify products, not people.
9. How we use information
We use the limited information we collect only to: provide and personalize the service (results, saved scans, journal), keep your account secure, understand aggregate product-link performance, and communicate with you about your account when necessary. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with advertisers.
10. Data security
Account data and journal content are stored with industry-standard protections, including encryption in transit and access controls that restrict each account’s data to its owner. No system is perfectly secure, but protecting your data — especially your photos — is a core design principle of HonestVu, not an afterthought.
11. Data retention and your choices
Scan photos are never retained at all. Journal entries, journal photos, and saved scans are kept until you delete them, and you can remove any of them at any time from within the app. To delete your account and all remaining associated data, contact us through the app. Anonymous aggregate statistics (which cannot identify you) may be retained.
12. Children’s privacy
HonestVu is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has created an account, please contact us so we can remove it.
13. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the app evolves. When we make material changes, we will update the "last updated" date on this page. Continued use after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
14. Contact
Questions about your privacy, this policy, or your facial-image data? Email HonestVu@Gmail.com and we’ll be glad to help.