Privacy Policy

1. Overview

FridgePodge is an AI-powered recipe generation app that helps you create delicious meals from ingredients you already have. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your data.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Ingredients: The ingredients you enter to generate recipes
• Recipe Preferences: Meal types, cuisines, dietary restrictions, and cooking preferences
• Saved Recipes: Recipes you choose to save or favorite
• Feedback: Ratings and feedback you provide on generated recipes
• Account Information: If you create an account, we collect your email address and chosen username

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version
• Usage Data: How you use the app, features accessed, time spent in the app
• App Performance: Crash reports, performance metrics (anonymized)
• Location (Optional): Approximate location for regional recipe suggestions (only if you grant permission)

2.3 Information We Don't Collect

• We don't access your contacts, photos, or other apps
• We don't collect sensitive personal information like health data
• We don't track your precise location without explicit permission
• We don't store payment information (handled securely by App Store/Google Play)

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Core App Functionality

• Recipe Generation: Using your ingredients and preferences to create personalized recipes
• Personalization: Learning your preferences to improve recipe suggestions over time
• Recipe History: Saving your generated and favorited recipes for easy access
• Dietary Compliance: Ensuring suggested recipes match your dietary restrictions

3.2 App Improvement

• Performance Optimization: Analyzing usage patterns to improve app speed and reliability
• Feature Development: Understanding which features are most valuable to users
• Bug Fixes: Using crash reports to identify and fix technical issues
• AI Enhancement: Improving our recipe generation algorithms (using anonymized data)

3.3 Customer Support

• Responding to your questions and support requests
• Troubleshooting technical issues
• Providing app usage guidance

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Secure Servers: We use industry-standard cloud infrastructure with robust security
• Access Controls: Strict limits on who can access user data within our team
• Regular Audits: Ongoing security assessments and improvements

4.2 Data Location

Your data is primarily stored on secure cloud servers located in the United States, with backup systems for reliability. We ensure all storage locations meet strict privacy and security standards.

4.3 Local Storage

Some data (like recent recipes and preferences) may be stored locally on your device for faster app performance. This data is protected by your device's built-in security features.

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 Analytics Services

• Purpose: Understanding app usage patterns and performance
• Data Shared: Anonymized usage statistics, crash reports, device information
• Providers: Apple Analytics (iOS), Google Analytics for Firebase
• Opt-out: You can disable analytics in your device settings

5.2 Cloud Storage

• Purpose: Secure storage and backup of your recipes and preferences
• Data Shared: Encrypted user data and app content
• Providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure
• Security: All providers meet SOC 2 and ISO 27001 standards

5.3 AI Services

• Purpose: Generating personalized recipes based on your ingredients
• Data Shared: Ingredients and preferences (anonymized when possible)
• Processing: Recipe generation occurs on secure servers with data minimization

6. Your Rights

6.1 Access and Control

• View Your Data: Access all personal data we have about you
• Download Your Data: Export your recipes and preferences
• Correct Your Data: Update or correct any inaccurate information
• Delete Your Data: Request complete deletion of your account and data

6.2 Privacy Controls

• Data Collection: Choose what types of data to share
• Analytics: Opt out of usage analytics
• Personalization: Turn off recipe personalization features
• Marketing: Control email communications (where applicable)

6.3 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at fridgepodge@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity to protect your data.

7. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

FridgePodge is designed for users 13 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age.

7.1 If You're Under 13

• Please do not use FridgePodge or provide any personal information
• Ask a parent or guardian to use the app on your behalf
• If we discover we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it immediately

7.2 For Parents

• If you believe your child has used FridgePodge, contact us immediately
• We will verify and delete any collected information
• You have the right to review and request deletion of your child's information

8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

8.1 Your California Rights

• Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: Opt out of the sale of personal information (we don't sell data)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of privacy choices
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information

8.2 Information We Collect (CCPA Categories)

• Identifiers: Email address, device identifiers
• Personal Information: Recipe preferences, dietary restrictions
• Internet Activity: App usage patterns, feature usage
• Geolocation: Approximate location (optional)

8.3 We Don't Sell Your Data

FridgePodge does not sell personal information to third parties for monetary or other valuable consideration, as defined by the CCPA.

9. Data Retention

9.1 How Long We Keep Your Data

• Account Data: Until you delete your account or request deletion
• Recipe History: Until you delete individual recipes or your account
• Usage Analytics: Aggregated data kept for up to 2 years
• Support Communications: Up to 3 years for quality assurance

9.2 Automatic Deletion

• Inactive accounts (no use for 3+ years) may be automatically deleted
• We'll notify you before any automatic deletion
• Deleted data is permanently removed from all systems within 90 days

9.3 Legal Requirements

In some cases, we may need to retain certain information to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our terms of service.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons.

10.1 How We Notify You

• In-App Notification: Prominent notice when you open the app
• Email: If you have an account with us
• Website: Updated policy posted with revision date

10.2 Material Changes

For significant changes that affect how we use your data, we'll provide at least 30 days' notice and may require your consent to continue using the app.

10.3 Your Options

If you disagree with policy changes, you can delete your account and stop using FridgePodge. Continued use after notification means you accept the updated policy.