Privacy Policy for Meal Chef AI

Introduction

Welcome to Meal Chef AI ('we,' 'our,' or 'us'), a mobile application developed and operated by Gwinyai Nyatsoka. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application Meal Chef AI (the 'App'). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the App.

Data Controller Information

Data Controller: Gwinyai Nyatsoka

Address: 1312 Waxberry Way, Westgate, Harare, Zimbabwe

Email: gnyatsoka@gmail.com

Account Requirement

To use Meal Chef AI's features, you must create an account. Account creation is only available through Google Sign-In or Apple Sign-In. Anonymous usage of the App is not permitted.

Information We Collect

Categories of Personal Information

We collect and have collected the following categories of personal information:

Category A: Authentication Information

• Email address and name (through Google or Apple Sign-In)
• Account identifiers
• Device identifiers

Category B: Health Information

• Height, weight, age, and gender
• Activity level and fitness goals
• Calculated Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
• Health data imported from Apple Health (with permission)

Category C: User Content

• Food photographs (when saved to your account)
• Saved recipes
• Meal preferences

Category D: Usage Information

• App interaction data
• AI-generated meal suggestions
• Food photography analysis results

Category E: Analytics Information

• Screen views and navigation patterns
• Feature usage statistics
• Time spent in the app
• App crash reports and error logs
• Device and operating system information
• App performance metrics

How We Collect Information

• Authentication through Google or Apple Sign-In (required)
• Device camera access for food photography (with permission)
• Optional notification permissions
• Direct user input (preferences, saved recipes, health information)
• Apple Health integration (with explicit permission)
• Automatic collection of anonymous usage analytics through Firebase Analytics

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

• Contract: To provide our subscription-based services
• Consent: For processing food photographs, health information, Apple Health integration, and sending optional notifications
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services, prevent abuse, and analyze anonymous usage patterns for app enhancement
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

Use of Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Calculate your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) for personalized meal planning
• Create customized meal plans based on your health profile and goals
• Provide personalized meal suggestions using AI technology
• Process and analyze food photographs
• Store your saved recipes and preferences
• Prevent system abuse through account identification
• Maintain app security and functionality
• Send optional trial expiration notifications (if enabled)
• Provide customer support
• Maintain appropriate language settings
• Monitor app performance and identify technical issues
• Analyze user engagement to improve our services
• Track feature usage to enhance user experience

Data Storage and International Transfers

• We use cloud service providers that maintain facilities in various locations globally
• Your data may be processed in countries outside your country of residence
• For transfers from the EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards through:
  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
  • Adequate data protection measures
  • Regular security assessments
• You have the right to request information about these safeguards

Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your information for the following periods:

• Account Information: Duration of account activity
• Health Information: Duration of account activity
• Food Photographs: Until manually deleted or account deactivation
• Saved Recipes: Until manually deleted or account deactivation
• Usage Data: 12 months from collection
• AI Processing Data: 6 months from generation
• Analytics Data: 12 months from collection

Upon account deactivation:

• All user login details are erased
• All health information is permanently deleted
• All photographs are deleted
• All saved recipes are removed
• All preferences are cleared
• All usage data is deleted
• All analytics data is deleted

Subscription and Payments

• Payment processing is handled entirely through Apple's App Store
• We do not collect or store any payment information
• Subscription management is handled through your Apple ID settings

App Permissions and Features

• Camera: Required for food analysis (permission required)
• Apple Health: Optional integration to import health metrics (permission required)
• Notifications: Optional for trial expiration reminders only
• Language: Available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Portugal), Italian, and German
• Geographic Availability: Available in all territories where the Apple App Store operates

Your Rights Under Data Protection Laws

GDPR Rights (EU Users)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights:

• Right to access
• Right to rectification
• Right to erasure
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object
• Rights related to automated decision-making

CCPA Rights (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Request disclosure of personal information we collect about you
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information
• Non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

PIPEDA Rights (Canadian Users)

Under PIPEDA, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Challenge the accuracy of your information
• Withdraw consent
• File a complaint about our privacy practices

Data Protection and Security

• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments
• Incident response procedures
• Industry-standard security safeguards

Health Information Processing

We collect and process health information to provide personalized meal planning services. This sensitive information is handled with the highest level of security and privacy protection.

Health Data We Collect

• Height, weight, age, and gender
• Activity level (sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, very active)
• Fitness and health goals (weight loss, muscle gain, maintenance, etc.)
• Health metrics imported from Apple Health (with your explicit permission)

How We Use Health Information

• Calculate your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) using scientifically validated formulas
• Determine appropriate daily caloric intake based on your goals
• Generate personalized meal plans tailored to your nutritional needs
• Adjust portion sizes and macro-nutrient ratios for optimal results
• Track progress toward your health and fitness goals

Health Data Protection

• Health information is encrypted both in transit and at rest
• We never share your health data with third parties
• Access to health data is restricted to essential app functionality only
• Apple Health integration requires explicit user permission
• You can update or delete your health information at any time
• All health data is permanently deleted when you deactivate your account

Analytics and Performance Monitoring

We use Firebase Analytics to collect anonymous usage data to improve our app's performance and user experience. This service is provided by Google LLC and helps us understand how users interact with our app.

What Analytics Data We Collect

• Screen views and user navigation patterns
• Feature usage statistics (which features are used most frequently)
• Time spent using the app and individual features
• App crash reports and technical error information
• Device information (model, operating system version)
• App performance metrics (loading times, response times)

Analytics Data Protection

• All analytics data is collected anonymously and cannot be linked to individual users
• No personally identifiable information is included in analytics data
• Analytics data is stored securely on Google's servers in the United States
• We do not share this anonymous analytics data with any third parties beyond Google/Firebase
• Analytics data is automatically deleted after 12 months
• Users cannot opt-out of analytics collection as it is essential for app functionality and improvement

Third-Party Services

• Authentication: Google Sign-In, Apple Sign-In
• Health Data: Apple Health (with explicit permission)
• AI Services: We use third-party AI services for food analysis and meal suggestions
• Payment Processing: Handled by Apple App Store
• Analytics: Firebase Analytics (Google LLC) for anonymous usage tracking

User Data Control

Users can:

• Update health information (height, weight, age, activity level)
• Control Apple Health integration permissions
• Modify saved recipes and photographs
• Update meal preferences
• Control notification settings
• Request data export through support
• Delete account and associated data
• Change language preferences

Contact Us

For privacy-related inquiries:

Gwinyai Nyatsoka

Address: 1312 Waxberry Way, Westgate

Harare, Zimbabwe

Email: gnyatsoka@gmail.com

Response Time: Within 2 business days

Changes to Privacy Policy

We will notify users of any material changes through:

• In-app notifications
• App store update notes

Cookie Policy

Our App does not use cookies directly, but third-party services may use similar technologies for authentication and functionality.