Nineteen-year-old developer Bálint László has launched LB: Universal Scanner, a privacy-focused mobile application available on Android and iOS. The tool allows users to scan product barcodes or photograph ingredient labels to identify potential allergens and health risks. It covers human food, pet food, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and art materials.
The application uses a multi-layered verification process. It validates barcodes against public databases and employs optical character recognition to read physical labels. Users can review recognized text before the app performs an analysis. The developer implemented this approach after internal tests revealed that barcode data did not match physical packaging in approximately 90 percent of cases.
The app operates with a local-first privacy policy, storing user profiles, scan history, and settings directly on the device. It does not require user accounts and contains no third-party advertising or analytics. While the app uses machine learning for text and barcode recognition, it relies on deterministic rules for safety analysis to avoid reliance on generative AI for health decisions.
Bálint László developed the app while teaching himself programming through online courses from platforms like edX, HarvardX, and IBM. The project was supported by his parents, Mónika and her husband, who assisted with research, outreach, and testing. The application is distributed for free without a marketing budget or external sponsorship.
