Privacy Policy for Menu Buddy

Effective Date: May 15, 2026

This privacy policy applies to the Menu Buddy mobile application ("Application") created by Jerzy Frymark ("Service Provider," "we," "us") as a commercial service. The Application is provided "AS IS." We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data responsibly.

1. Information We Collect

• User-Provided Data: Information you input, such as dietary preferences, allergies, or food choices, to personalize your experience. This data is primarily stored locally on your device.
• Menu Images & Text: When you scan a menu, the image and/or extracted text is transmitted to our AI processing provider (Google Vertex AI) for analysis. We do not permanently store these images on our servers; processing partners may retain transient copies in accordance with their own retention and abuse- monitoring policies (see their privacy terms linked below).
• Voice Data: When using voice interaction features, the Application captures audio to perform real-time speech-to-text conversion via Google Vertex AI. We do not store or retain audio recordings on our servers after the transcription is complete. Google may process and briefly retain audio in accordance with its own privacy and AI processing terms.
• Health-Related Data: Dietary preferences, allergies, and similar information may constitute "special category" or "sensitive" personal data under laws such as the EU GDPR. We process this data based on your explicit consent (given by entering it into the Application) for the sole purpose of personalizing menu recommendations. You may withdraw consent at any time by deleting this data within the Application or uninstalling the Application.
• Automatically Collected Data:
  • Device information (e.g., IP address, operating system, device type).
  • Usage data (e.g., app interactions, session duration, and crash reports).

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and personalize Application services, such as menu recommendations and order facilitation.
• To improve the Application through analytics and usage insights.
• To communicate with you, including sending important updates or responding to inquiries.
• We do not sell your data or share it for third-party marketing purposes.

3. Third-Party Access

• Service Providers: We may share data with trusted partners to fulfill services (e.g. AI analysis). These partners are bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Third-Party Services: The Application uses the following services, each with its own privacy policy:
  • Google Play Services / Vertex AI
  • Google Analytics for Firebase
  • Firebase Crashlytics
  • RevenueCat
• Legal Obligations: We may disclose data if required by law, to protect our rights, or to ensure user safety.

4. Data Security

We use industry-standard safeguards, including encryption and secure servers, to protect your data. Only authorized personnel access your information.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (including the EU/EEA under GDPR, the UK under UK GDPR, and California under the CCPA/CPRA), you may have the following rights:

• Access, correct, update, or delete your personal data.
• Withdraw consent for data processing at any time (where processing is based on consent).
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your personal data.
• Data portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information (we do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under California law).
• Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.
• Opt out of data collection by uninstalling the Application via your device’s standard uninstall process.
• File a complaint with your local data protection authority — for example, the Prezes Urzędu Ochrony Danych Osobowych (Poland), your national DPA in another EU/EEA country, the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), or the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA).

Contact us at jurek@menubuddy.app to exercise these rights. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law (generally 30 days under GDPR, 45 days under CCPA).

5a. International Data Transfers

The Application processes data using service providers located in the United States and other countries that may have different data protection laws than your country of residence. Where required (e.g., for transfers from the EU/EEA or UK), we rely on appropriate safeguards such as the Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

5b. Legal Basis for Processing (EU/EEA & UK Users)

• Consent — for processing of dietary preferences, allergy data, and voice recordings.
• Performance of a contract — to provide the Application's features that you request.
• Legitimate interests — for analytics, security, fraud prevention, and improvement of the Application, balanced against your privacy rights.
• Legal obligation — to comply with applicable laws and respond to lawful requests.

6. Data Retention

As a "Guest-Only" application, most of your personalized data (dietary preferences, scan history) is stored locally on your device. We do not maintain traditional user accounts. If you uninstall the application, your locally stored data will be removed. We retain anonymized usage data for as long as necessary to provide analytics and improve our AI models.

7. Children’s Privacy

The Application is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If we discover such data, we will delete it immediately. Parents or guardians should contact us at jurek@menubuddy.app if they believe their child has provided personal information.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies or similar technologies to maintain Application functionality (e.g., session management). You can manage these via your device or browser settings.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Changes will be posted within the Application. Continued use of the Application constitutes consent to the updated policy.

10. Your Consent

By using the Application, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.

11. Contact Us

For questions about this policy or our privacy practices, contact us at jurek@menubuddy.app.