Privacy Policy for RAW Viewer
Last Updated: December 13, 2025
This privacy policy describes how RAW Viewer (“the App”) handles your information and protects your privacy.
Summary
RAW Viewer is designed with privacy in mind. We do not collect, transmit, or share any of your personal information or photos. All image processing happens locally on your device.
What We DO NOT Collect
RAW Viewer does NOT collect, store, or transmit:
- Personal information (name, email, phone number, etc.)
- Device identifiers or advertising IDs
- Location data or geolocation information
- Usage analytics or statistics
- Crash reports or diagnostic data
- Photos or image files
- IP addresses or network information
- Any other personal or sensitive data
What Happens on Your Device
The App operates entirely on your device and:
- Accesses photos: Only the folders you explicitly select via Android’s folder picker
- Processes photos locally: All RAW image decoding, thumbnail generation, and image analysis happens on your device
- Stores preferences locally: Settings (sort order, layout preferences, etc.) are saved using Android’s SharedPreferences on your device
- Creates cache files: Thumbnail images are cached locally on your device to improve performance
- Creates XMP files: Star ratings are stored in XMP sidecar files in the same folder as your photos (on your device)
Your photos never leave your device. The App does not have internet permission and cannot upload or transmit your photos anywhere.
Permissions
The App requires the following permissions:
Storage Access
- What: Access to folders you select via Android’s folder picker (OpenDocumentTree API)
- Why: To read and display your photos
- Scope: Only folders you explicitly grant access to
- Usage: Photos are read, processed locally, and displayed. No photos are uploaded or transmitted.
No Other Permissions
The App does NOT request or require:
- Internet access
- Location services
- Camera access
- Microphone access
- Contacts access
- Any other sensitive permissions
Data Storage
Local Storage Only
All data remains on your device:
- Preferences: Stored in Android SharedPreferences (sort order, thumbnail size, layout mode, etc.)
- Thumbnail Cache: Cached thumbnails stored in the app’s internal cache directory (can be cleared via Settings)
- XMP Ratings: Star ratings stored as XMP sidecar files in your photo folders
No Cloud Storage
The App does NOT:
- Upload photos to any server or cloud service
- Sync data across devices
- Store data on remote servers
- Use any cloud-based features
Third-Party Services
The App does NOT use any third-party services for:
- Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics)
- Crash reporting (e.g., Crashlytics)
- Advertising networks
- Social media integration
- Cloud storage providers
Third-Party Libraries
The App uses the following open-source libraries for local processing only:
- AndroidLibRaw: For RAW image decoding (processed locally on your device)
- Jetpack Compose: For the user interface
- AndroidX libraries: Standard Android framework components
These libraries do not collect or transmit any data.
Image Sharing
When you use the “Share” feature:
- Selected images are temporarily copied to the app’s cache directory
- Android’s native share sheet is displayed
- You choose which app to share with (e.g., email, messaging, cloud storage)
- We do not control or monitor where you share photos
Sharing is initiated by you and uses your device’s standard sharing mechanism.
Children’s Privacy
The App does not collect any information from anyone, including children under 13. The App is suitable for all ages as it is a photo viewer tool with no data collection, social features, or online capabilities.
Data Security
Since no data is collected or transmitted:
- Your photos remain in the folders you selected on your device
- Preferences are stored locally using Android’s secure storage
- No network communication occurs (the App has no internet permission)
- No data can be intercepted or breached
Your Rights and Choices
You have complete control over your data:
- Delete the App: Uninstall the App to remove all preferences and cached thumbnails
- Clear Cache: Use the thumbnail cache management in Settings to delete cached thumbnails
- Revoke Access: Remove folder access permissions via Android Settings > Apps > RAW Viewer > Permissions
- Delete Photos: Your photos remain in your folders - you can delete them anytime using your device’s file manager
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. We recommend reviewing this policy periodically.
Since the App does not collect any data, privacy policy changes will typically be for clarification purposes only.
Open Source and Transparency
The App is developed with privacy and transparency in mind. If you have questions about how the App works or what it does with your data, you can:
- Review the source code (if made available)
- Contact us with specific questions
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or the App’s privacy practices, please contact:
Email: pensoffsky@gmx.net
Bottom Line: RAW Viewer is a privacy-respecting photo viewer. We don’t collect anything. We don’t track anything. We don’t share anything. Your photos stay on your device, and only you control them.