Features
Gout App Privacy: Scan Data & On-Device Storage
A food scan sends only the selected image for analysis — not your health profile, labs, or symptoms — and the image is deleted within 24 hours; your records stay on your device by default, with no sale of personal data, no third-party advertising, and no cross-app tracking.
What a scan sends
When you run a food scan, the app sends only the image you selected to the analysis service. It does not include your health profile, lab values, symptoms, medication records, or HealthKit data in the request. The analysis service receives a photo of food and returns a structured estimate — nothing else leaves your device as part of that transaction.
This is a deliberate design choice. Your health context is yours; the scan does not need it to produce an estimate of what is on a plate.
The separation also means that the analysis service cannot build a profile of your eating habits, your health conditions, or your medication use. It processes an image and returns structured text — a one-way transaction with no feedback loop into your identity. For a gout management tool, this matters: your dietary patterns and lab results are deeply personal, and the architecture ensures they stay with you.
What happens to the image
The image is deleted after the analysis reaches a result, with a cleanup target within 24 hours. The structured result — the text description of recognized ingredients and estimated factors — may be kept for up to 90 days so that an interrupted scan can recover. After that window, the structured result is also cleaned up.
Signing out of the app is not deletion. If you want to remove your account and associated data, Settings provides a verified server-deletion workflow with a one-time receipt confirming completion.
On-device by default
Your records — meals, lab entries, flare diary, medication records, hydration logs — are stored on your device by default. They are not synced to a cloud service. This means your health data stays where you put it: on the phone in your pocket. You can edit or delete individual records at any time, and the full account deletion workflow in Settings runs a verified server-deletion process that produces a one-time receipt.
On-device storage also means your records are available offline. You can log a meal, enter a lab result, or record a flare without an internet connection. The data is there when you need it — in a clinician's waiting room, on a plane, or anywhere else. The trade-off is that if your device is lost or damaged, your records go with it. Regular visit summary exports serve as a practical backup alongside their primary purpose.
HealthKit and notifications
HealthKit access is optional and requested per data type. If you grant access, the app reads only the specific data types you authorized. HealthKit data is not included in scan requests and is not used for advertising or cross-app tracking.
Push notifications, if you enable them, do not include health records, food names, images, or lab values in the notification payload. A reminder tells you it is from Gout Radar; it does not reveal what the reminder is about to anyone who glances at your lock screen.
No sale, no advertising, no cross-tracking
Gout Radar does not sell personal data. There is no third-party advertising in the app. There is no cross-app tracking for marketing purposes. The business model is a subscription for PRO features, not a data marketplace. Your records are your records.
For the full details, the privacy policy covers every data flow. The about page explains who builds the app and why.
Deletion when you want it
- Open Settings in the app.
- Select Delete Account & Data.
- Follow the verified deletion workflow.
- Receive a one-time receipt confirming the deletion is complete.
This is a real deletion process, not a soft delete or a hidden archive. Once confirmed and receipted, the data is gone. For users who prioritize privacy, this workflow is as important as the on-device storage that precedes it.
Why privacy matters for gout records
Health data is among the most sensitive categories of personal information. A gout diagnosis, your uric acid levels, your medication list, and your dietary patterns are details that belong to you. Gout Radar's architecture reflects the principle that a health-tracking app should not become a data-collection platform. The privacy policy documents every data flow in detail, and the about page explains the team behind the app and the motivations for building it this way.
Privacy is not a toggle you flip on. It is the shape of the system.
References
Frequently asked questions
Does a scan send my health data?
No. A scan sends only the selected image. Your health profile, lab values, symptoms, medication records, and HealthKit data are not included in a scan request.
How long is my image kept?
The image is deleted after analysis reaches a result, within 24 hours. The structured text result may be kept for up to 90 days for scan recovery.
Are my records stored in the cloud?
No. Your records are stored on your device by default. They are not synced to a cloud service.
How do I delete everything?
Settings provides a Delete Account & Data workflow that runs a verified server-deletion process with a one-time receipt. Signing out is not deletion.
Can my gout records be accessed if my phone is stolen?
Records are stored in the app's local storage on your device. Standard device security — passcode, biometrics, encryption — protects them. The app does not add a separate lock, and it does not sync records to a cloud where they could be accessed remotely.
Track it with Gout Radar
Free to start: 3 AI scans a week and unlimited manual records. PRO unlocks unlimited scans, menu comparison, and 30/90-day visit summaries.
Gout Radar provides educational estimates and organizes records. It does not diagnose gout, predict flares, or recommend treatment. Confirm health and treatment decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.