Summary
Your card data never leaves your iPhone: Universal IC has no server and no accounts, and it does not sell or share your card data.
The free version shows ads from Google AdMob, which receives some device information to deliver them (see Advertising). You can turn ads off with a one-time purchase.
What the app reads
When you hold a card to your iPhone, the app uses the iPhone's NFC reader to read data stored on the card, such as the balance, recent trips and payments, passes, and the card's number or ID.
This happens only when you start a scan. The app only reads: it never writes to or changes the card.
Where your card data is kept
Scanned card data, saved cards, scan history and settings are stored only on your iPhone, inside the app's own storage. None of it is sent to us, to Google or to anyone else.
Saved cards are matched using a fingerprint made from the card ID with a secret random value created on your phone.
Exports
If you choose to export a card as CSV, PDF or JSON, the app creates the file on your iPhone and opens the iOS share sheet. The file goes only where you choose to send or save it.
Exports include the last four characters of the card ID, not the full ID.
Purchases
"Remove ads" is a one-time in-app purchase handled by Apple. We don't receive your payment details. The app only checks with Apple whether your Apple Account owns the purchase.
Advertising (Google AdMob)
If you haven't bought "Remove ads", the app shows banner ads from Google AdMob.
- The app requests non-personalized ads only and does not ask for permission to track you, so it does not use your device's advertising identifier (IDFA).
- To show and measure ads and prevent fraud, Google's SDK collects information such as your IP address, device and operating-system details, app information and ad interactions (views and taps). Google processes this under its own policies: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and https://policies.google.com/privacy.
- In the EEA, the UK and Switzerland, the app asks for your consent through Google's consent form before ads are requested.
- No card data, scan history or exports are ever shared with Google or any ad network.
- Buying "Remove ads" stops the app from loading ads.
Web pages
Some buttons open web pages, for example this policy or the credits for open data. These open in an in-app browser and are subject to that website's own privacy practices.
Permissions
The app uses NFC to read cards. It does not use your location, camera, microphone, contacts or photos, and it does not ask for permission to track you.
Children
The app is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal data from them.
Deleting your data
You can delete individual cards and history entries in the app. Deleting the app removes all of its data from your iPhone. For data Google holds about ads, see Google's privacy policy.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page with a new "Last updated" date.
Contact
Questions: hello@aakashmehra.com