Can You Scan Someone Else’s Receipt?

It may seem harmless: a friend hands you a receipt for something they bought, and you scan it into your app. But when it comes to privacy and data rights, scanning someone else’s receipt isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

Receipts may contain personal data

Many receipts include more than just product details. They might show names, loyalty numbers, partial payment information, or personal discounts. That means a receipt can be considered personal data under the GDPR.

What the law says

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), processing someone else’s personal data — even in a non-commercial context — requires a lawful basis. Scanning and storing someone else’s ticket without permission could technically violate their data rights.

When it’s acceptable

• With explicit consent: If a person gives you their ticket and agrees to have it scanned, that’s generally fine.
• For joint purchases: Family or business purchases shared with others may reasonably be scanned by either party — but transparency is key.
• As part of a service: If you manage expenses for someone else (e.g., assistant, accountant), make sure you have proper permission.

What to avoid

Don’t scan receipts left in carts, found on the ground, or given to you without clear context. Even anonymous tickets can reveal purchase patterns — and using them without consent is risky legally and ethically.

Conclusion: Scanning someone else’s receipt isn’t always wrong, but it should be done with respect, clarity, and consent. When in doubt, ask first — and choose apps that handle data responsibly.

📲 The app is available on iPhone and iPad. ScanTicket on the App Store