EtchImage — Privacy Policy
Last updated: 2026-06-28
EtchImage ("EtchImage," "we," "us") is a camera app that stamps the date, time, and
location onto your photos and videos and can cryptographically prove when and where a
capture was made. We built EtchImage to be private by default — your photos stay
on your device unless you choose a feature that needs the cloud.
1. What we collect
Photos & videos you capture. Saved to your device's photo library. They are notuploaded to us unless you turn on Cloud Backup or use Verified Capture (see §3).
Location. With your permission, while you are actively capturing, we read yourdevice location to (a) stamp it on the photo and (b) look up the street address. We use
the foreground location only — never in the background, never silently.
Address lookup (geocoding). To turn coordinates into a street address, thecoordinates (not your photo) are sent to a geocoding provider — Google Maps Platform if
configured, otherwise OpenStreetMap/Nominatim, otherwise your device's built-in
geocoder.
Purchases. Subscriptions are processed by Apple or Google and managed viaRevenueCat. We receive subscription status (active/expired, tier) and an anonymous app
user id — never your card number.
Device & diagnostic info. Basic device model/OS and crash/diagnostic data to keepthe app working.
We do not: require an account to use the core app, sell your data, use it forthird-party advertising, or track you across other apps/sites.
2. How we use it
- Stamp time/location onto your captures and render the address.
- Provide Verified Capture and the public proof page (§3).
- Process and restore your subscription.
- Diagnose crashes and improve reliability.
3. Verified Capture (the proof feature)
When you turn on Verified Capture, EtchImage computes a cryptographic hash
(SHA-256) of the final photo and sends only that hash plus the capture context
(timestamp, coordinates, device model, app version) to our proof service. The service
applies a trusted timestamp, signs the record, and returns a public verification link.
The image itself is not uploaded — only its fingerprint and metadata, by design, topreserve your privacy while still proving the file is unaltered.
A Verified Capture's metadata (time, coordinates, device) is, by its nature, visible on
its public proof page. Only create a Verified Capture for content you intend to be
shareable/verifiable.
4. Who we share with (processors)
- Apple / Google — payment processing and app distribution.
- RevenueCat — subscription management.
- Google Maps Platform or OpenStreetMap — reverse geocoding (coordinates only).
- Our proof service — Verified Capture records (hash + context, no image).
We share only what each function requires. We do not sell personal information.
5. Retention
On-device photos/metadata remain until you delete them. Verified Capture records persist
so proof links keep working; you can request deletion (§7). Subscription records are
retained as required for tax/accounting.
6. Security
Captures are stored using your device's protections. Verified Capture uses cryptographic
hashing and signing; in transit, data uses HTTPS/TLS. No system is perfectly secure, and
Verified Capture is tamper-evident, not a legal guarantee (see the Terms).
7. Your rights (GDPR / CCPA and similar)
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal data we hold, and you
may opt out of any non-essential processing. We do not sell personal information.
Email privacy@etchimage.com and we will respond within the period your law requires.
8. Children
EtchImage is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your region) and we
do not knowingly collect their data.
9. Changes
We'll post changes here and update the date above; material changes will be surfaced in
the app.