FAQs

Common questions answered

What is Consumer Transparency Collective?

We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (pending formation) that builds technology tools to help consumers shop according to their values. Our flagship app, Defund Whatever, uses AI to analyze brands across multiple ethical dimensions.

How does the AI image recognition work?

We use AWS Bedrock Claude Sonnet 4 to analyze product images. Just point your camera at any product—no barcode needed—and our AI identifies the brand with 98% accuracy in seconds.

Is the app really free?

Yes! As a nonprofit, we keep the app free for all users. We're funded by tax-deductible donations, not ads or corporate sponsorships.

How do you ensure rating accuracy?

All ratings are based on publicly available data from reliable sources (OpenSecrets, EPA, news reports, etc.). We cite our sources, welcome corrections, and update regularly.

Are you politically biased?

We analyze brands across both progressive AND conservative values. You set your own priorities—left, right, or center—and see results personalized to YOUR values, not ours.