Privacy Policy for Palate Cooking

1. Introduction

Welcome to Palate Cooking ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using Palate Cooking, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password (encrypted). You may also provide optional profile information such as dietary preferences and cooking skill level.

Usage Data: We automatically collect information about how you interact with our Service, including recipes viewed, meals planned, shopping lists created, cooking sessions completed, and feature usage patterns.

Device Information: We may collect device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.

Voice and Image Data: If you use our AI Chef voice feature, audio recordings are processed by our AI provider (OpenAI) to provide responses. Recipe images you upload are processed to extract recipe information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our Service
• Personalize your experience with recipe recommendations and meal suggestions
• Process your subscription payments through Stripe
• Power AI features including the Chef Chat assistant and voice interactions
• Track your cooking progress and gamification achievements
• Send you important updates about your account or the Service
• Respond to your comments, questions, and support requests
• Analyze usage patterns to improve our features

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us operate our Service, including:
  • Stripe for payment processing
  • OpenAI for AI-powered features (chat, voice, recipe extraction)
  • Cloud hosting providers for data storage
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of passwords using bcrypt hashing
• Secure HTTPS connections for all data transmission
• Regular security audits and updates
• Limited access to personal data by authorized personnel only

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
• Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications

To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@palateapp.me.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our Service. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes, such as resolving disputes and enforcing our agreements.

9. Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our Service, you consent to such transfers.

11. Illinois Residents

If you are a resident of Illinois, you may have additional rights under the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). We do not collect biometric information. For questions about your rights, contact us at support@palateapp.me.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service after any modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Palate Cooking
Email: support@palateapp.me
Location: Illinois, United States