OpenZen
Transparency
This website distinguishes published apps, prepared versions, technical operation and outstanding checks. The installed version and its product-specific privacy notice determine which information applies.
Availability
| App | Availability | Data processing |
|---|---|---|
| LifeZen | iOS 1.1 · App Store · Publicly available | Android 1.0.3 · Google Play · Publicly available | From iOS 1.1 and Android 1.0.3, LifeZen sends the selected photo, language and, where applicable, location information over an encrypted connection to OpenZen AI 2B on self-managed infrastructure in Germany. Older versions use an external AI service. No account is required. |
| HelpZen | iOS 1.1 · App Store · Publicly available | Android 1.2.0 · Google Play · Publicly available | Search and distance calculations run in a directory on your device. Updates come from OpenZen over HTTPS. iOS uses Apple MapKit; Android uses MapLibre with OpenFreeMap. Map services may receive connection data and the requested map area. Search does not call generative AI. |
| MedZen | iOS 1.4 · App Store · Publicly available | Android 1.1.2 · Google Play · Publicly available | MedZen searches an on-device database and orders results by distance. Updates come from OpenZen over HTTPS. iOS uses Apple MapKit and may offer system translation; Android uses OpenStreetMap-based maps. Location and map services may process connection data. Search and sorting do not need generative AI. |
| DocZen | iOS 1.0 · App Store · Publicly available DocZen 1.1 for iOS and Android is prepared but has not been publicly released. | Published iOS version 1.0 sends selected document content to an external AI service. Processing exclusively in Germany does not apply to that version. Prepared version 1.1 recognises text on the device using Apple Vision or Android ML Kit and sends recognised text, target language and page number over an encrypted connection to OpenZen AI 2B in Germany. Images and PDFs stay on the device in this new architecture. |
| JobZen | iOS 1.2 · App Store · Publicly available JobZen Android 1.2.0 has been submitted to Google for a closed test. Approval is pending. | Search sends the postal code or coordinates, radius, selected KldB codes, employment and language filters, and app language to the JobZen server in Germany. CVs are not processed and people are not assessed by AI. Favourites and settings stay local. iOS uses Apple system features for optional translation; Android uses ML Kit. |
Infrastructure and providers
The website, directory data and new OpenZen AI services run on self-managed infrastructure in Germany. A self-administered German VPS provides HTTPS access to the Ubuntu server; the internal connection uses Tailscale. DNS is managed through deSEC. The contact mailbox uses Google Gmail.
Apple and Google process store data under their own responsibility. Maps, address lookup, translation SDKs and websites you open may involve other recipients. Running an OpenZen server does not mean that every function operates without external services.
Privacy
The public apps are free and contain no advertising. OpenZen does not sell personal data or use marketing tracking. Data processing and external services differ by app and version.
LifeZen
Photograph an object or item of packaging to identify its waste category and receive a clear disposal suggestion.
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HelpZen
Find advice centres, food banks, authorities and social support services by topic and location, and access their contact details.
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MedZen
Search for medical practices, pharmacies, hospitals and other medical facilities by specialty, location and distance.
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DocZen
Scan paper documents or import PDFs, translate their contents and identify important details such as deadlines, amounts and next steps.
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JobZen
Find and save jobs in Germany by occupation, postal code, distance and employment characteristics.
Learn moreOutstanding checks
Outstanding work includes full testing on real devices, language quality, accessibility, continued directory freshness and complete documentation of retention periods and provider agreements. Checking backups technically does not replace a full failover test.
Automated results can be wrong or incomplete. Meaning errors are known in some DocZen translations. Check names, amounts, deadlines, negations and required actions against the original.
Funding and collaboration
The initiative is being built through personal development work and private funds. Suitable funding and partnerships are sought for development, data maintenance and trials. Funding awards or completed organisational pilots are reported only when supported by evidence.
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