Last updated: 2 June 2026
The short version: Plato does not collect, store on our servers or share your personal data. We look up UK vehicle information via the official DVLA service. We do not track you, do not use analytics and do not sell data to anyone. Anything you save in the app stays on your device.
Plato is a UK vehicle information app made by AKP Studio Works Ltd, an independent software company registered in England and Wales (company number 17222846). The contact for privacy questions is hi@platocheck.com.
And yes, the app is named after the philosopher. He believed the unexamined life was not worth living. We think the unexamined motor is not worth driving. Same idea, smaller scale.
Plato is designed to collect as little data as possible. Here is everything it touches:
When you type or speak a plate, Plato sends it to the UK government's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) via the official Vehicle Enquiry Service API. This is necessary to return tax, MOT and vehicle details.
Plates you look up are not stored on any server. They are not associated with your name or any account, and we have no user accounts. If you choose to save a vehicle to the Garage, it is kept only on your device, as described below.
If you use the "Speak plate" feature, Plato uses Apple's on-device speech recognition to convert your voice into text. Apple processes this on your device and does not share it with Plato or any third party beyond what Apple documents in its own privacy policy.
Plato receives only the final transcribed text. Your voice recording is never stored or transmitted by Plato.
If you unlock Plato Plus, you can save vehicles to the Garage and set reminders for MOT, tax and insurance. The vehicles you save, any nicknames, the renewal dates you enter and your reminder settings are stored only on your device. None of this is sent to us or to any server, and there are still no accounts.
Reminders are scheduled as local notifications on your device. They are generated on the device and are not pushed from any server.
Plato Plus is a one-time purchase. Payment is handled entirely by Apple through the App Store. Plato never sees or stores your card details, billing address or any payment information. We receive only Apple's confirmation that the purchase was made, which unlocks the features on your device. There is no subscription.
Plato runs on the Expo React Native framework. Expo may receive technical data such as crash reports to help diagnose bugs. This data is anonymous and is not used for advertising or tracking. See Expo's privacy policy for details.
Plate lookups are routed through a small proxy server operated by the developer on Cloudflare's network. The proxy does not log plate values, user IP addresses or any identifying information. Its only job is to securely hold the DVLA API key so it is never exposed in the app itself.
Plato does not request camera, photos, contacts, location or any other iOS permissions.
Plato is a utility app and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone. No account system exists to associate usage with a person or age.
If this policy changes, the "Last updated" date at the top will reflect it. For any significant change, the app will display a notice on next launch.
Because Plato does not store any personal data on its servers, there is nothing we hold that would be subject to data access or deletion requests. Anything saved in the app lives on your device, so clearing it is in your hands: delete a saved vehicle in the Garage, or remove the app. If you have any privacy concern, please email hi@platocheck.com and it will be addressed promptly.
Questions about this policy or the app in general, email hi@platocheck.com.