Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information OCRmate collects when you use ocrmate.com (the “Service”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. OCRmate (“we”, “us”, “our”) is based in Ontario, Canada.

The short version

• Your files are not stored. We process each image or PDF to extract or translate its text, then discard it.
• To read your file, we send it to a text-recognition provider (such as Google or OCR.space), or process it on your own device if you choose Device mode.
• If you create an account, we keep your email address, your plan and how many pages you have used.
• Stripe handles payments. We never see or store your card number.
• Free visitors see ads from Google AdSense, which uses cookies. Paid members see no ads.
• We do not sell your personal information.

1. Information we collect

Files and text you submit

When you use Image to Text or Image Translator, you upload an image or PDF (or paste one). We use it only to produce your result. See section 2 for exactly how files are handled.

Account information

If you create an account, we collect your email address and a password. Your password is stored only in encrypted (hashed) form, so we cannot read it.

If you choose Continue with Google, Google shares your name, email address and Google account ID with us so we can create and sign in to your account. We never receive your Google password. Our use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy.

Payment information

Payments are processed by Stripe. You enter your card details on Stripe’s secure pages, and Stripe stores them. We receive and keep only your Stripe customer ID, subscription ID, plan, billing interval, subscription status and renewal date. Stripe’s handling of your data is described in the Stripe Privacy Policy.

Usage information

• Page counts. To apply plan limits, we count how many pages you process each day (free plan) or each month (paid plans).
• Visitors without an account. To apply the free daily limit, we create a one-way scrambled code (a “hash”) from your IP address. We do not store the IP address itself in our app, and the daily counter expires after about a day.
• Server logs. Like most websites, our hosting provider automatically records technical details such as IP address, browser type and pages visited, for security and troubleshooting.

2. How your files are processed

We do not save your files. Each file is held only while it is being processed and is then discarded.

Temporary result cache. To avoid processing the same file twice, we may keep the extracted or translated text (not the file) for up to 24 hours. It is linked only to a digital fingerprint of the file, not to your name or account, and is deleted automatically.

Text-recognition providers. Depending on availability, your file is sent over an encrypted connection to one of these services, which returns the text:

• Google Gemini API (Google LLC): AI text recognition and translation
• OCR.space (a9t9 software GmbH): backup text recognition
• Google Cloud Vision (Google LLC): backup text recognition, if enabled
• Device mode: text recognition runs entirely in your own browser, and your file never leaves your device.

These providers process files under their own terms and privacy policies. Some providers may keep submitted content for a limited time to detect abuse and, on free service tiers, may use it to improve their services. Please do not upload highly sensitive documents (for example identity documents, or medical or financial records). If you must, use Device mode.

3. How we use information

• To provide the Service: recognise and translate text, and show your results
• To create and manage your account, and sign you in
• To apply free and paid plan limits
• To process subscriptions, renewals, upgrades and cancellations
• To show ads to free visitors (see section 4)
• To answer your messages and provide support
• To keep the Service secure, and prevent fraud and abuse
• To comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use the content of your files for advertising.

4. Advertising (Google AdSense)

Visitors on the free plan see ads served by Google AdSense. Paid members do not see ads.

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites.
• Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the Internet.
• You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalised advertising at www.aboutads.info.

Learn more about how Google uses information from sites that use its services. Where the law requires it (for example in the EEA, UK and Switzerland), we ask for your consent before personalised ads are shown.

5. Cookies

• Essential cookies: keep you logged in (WordPress login cookies), and protect Google sign-in with a short-lived security cookie that expires within 15 minutes.
• Advertising cookies: set by Google for free visitors, as described in section 4.
• Payment cookies: set by Stripe on its checkout and billing pages, to prevent fraud.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. If you block essential cookies, you will not be able to log in.

6. Who we share information with

We share information only as needed to run the Service:

• Hostinger: website hosting
• Stripe: payment processing and billing
• Google: Google sign-in, Gemini and Cloud Vision text recognition, and AdSense advertising
• OCR.space: backup text recognition

We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights or the safety of others, or as part of a merger, sale or transfer of our business (in which case this policy will continue to apply).

7. International transfers

Our service providers may process information in Canada, the United States, the European Union and other countries. Where required, these transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses.

8. How long we keep information

• Files: not stored. They are discarded after processing.
• Result cache: up to 24 hours
• Free daily counters for visitors: about 1 day
• Account information: until you delete your account
• Billing records: as long as tax and accounting laws require

9. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, to object to or restrict certain processing, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. To make a request, including deleting your account, email us at the address below. We will respond within the time required by law.

• Canada: you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you have concerns.
• EEA, UK and Switzerland: you can lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
• California and other US states: you can request access to or deletion of your information, and opt out of personalised advertising using the links in section 4. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

10. Security

We use encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords and reputable service providers to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information and to limit what we keep.

11. Children

OCRmate is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA and UK), and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will change the “Last updated” date above, and for significant changes we will notify account holders by email or on the website.

13. Contact us

Questions or requests about your privacy: contact@ocrmate.com