Privacy Policy

MenuMate is a smart dining companion app that helps you make better food choices by scanning and analyzing restaurant menus. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our service.

By using MenuMate, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal data is handled securely.

MenuMate operates on a privacy-first principle. We minimize data collection and prioritize keeping your information secure and under your control.

Information Collection and Use

MenuMate collects minimal information to provide you with personalized dining recommendations. The types of information we may collect include:

• Menu photos you capture (processed locally when possible)
• Your dietary preferences and restrictions (stored locally)
• Basic usage analytics to improve app performance
• Device information for app compatibility

Most of your personal preferences and data are stored locally on your device. We use cloud services only for menu analysis and to provide AI-powered recommendations.

Third-party services used by MenuMate:

• Google Analytics for Firebase - For app performance monitoring
• AI services for menu analysis and recommendations

Log Data

When you use MenuMate, we may collect Log Data to help us improve the app and fix any issues. This data is collected only when errors occur and may include:

• Device type and operating system version
• App version and configuration
• Time and date of the error
• Anonymous usage statistics

This information helps us identify and fix bugs to provide you with a better experience. No menu photos or personal dietary information is included in log data.

Data Storage

MenuMate prioritizes local storage for your personal data:

• Your dietary preferences and restrictions are stored on your device
• Recently scanned menus may be cached locally for offline access
• Your favorite dishes and restaurants are saved on your device

Menu photos are temporarily processed in the cloud for AI analysis but are not permanently stored on our servers. We do not build profiles or sell your data to third parties.

Service Providers

We work with carefully selected third-party service providers to enhance MenuMate's functionality:

• AI services for menu text recognition and translation
• Cloud infrastructure for processing menu images
• Analytics services to understand app usage patterns
• Payment processors for premium features (if applicable)

These providers access only the minimum data necessary to perform their services and are contractually obligated to protect your information. We do not share your dietary preferences or personal recommendations with third parties.

Security

We take your privacy seriously and implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encrypted data transmission for all network communications
• Secure cloud processing with immediate data deletion after analysis
• Regular security audits and updates
• No permanent storage of menu photos on our servers

While we strive to protect your data, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. We continuously work to improve our security measures and protect your information.

Your Data Rights

You have full control over your data in MenuMate:

• Access your data anytime through the app settings
• Export your dietary preferences and favorites
• Delete your data at any time
• Opt-out of analytics collection
• Clear cached menu data

To exercise these rights or if you have questions about your data, please contact us through the app or via the contact information below.

Children's Privacy

MenuMate is designed for users aged 13 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The app focuses on helping users make informed dining decisions and requires a level of understanding appropriate for teenagers and adults.

If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will promptly delete it. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with personal information should contact us immediately.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

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

• We'll update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
• For significant changes, we'll notify you through the app
• Your continued use of MenuMate after changes indicates acceptance

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please don't hesitate to reach out:

• Email: support@menumate.app
• In-app: Settings → Help & Support → Contact Us
• Website: Through the contact form on our website

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 48 hours. Your privacy matters to us, and we're here to help.