Privacy Policy

Recipe Cost Estimator is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information:

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Name
• Profile picture (avatar)
• Authentication credentials (managed securely with industry-standard encryption)

Recipe Data:

• Recipe names and descriptions
• Ingredient lists and quantities
• Recipe instructions
• Cost calculations and estimates
• Recipe images (if uploaded)

Location Information:

• Zip code (for regional pricing estimates)

Usage Data:

• IP address
• Number of estimates generated
• Features used
• Plan type and subscription status
• Date and time of service usage
• Device information and browser type

Payment Information:

Payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your credit card numbers or banking information. We receive only:

• Transaction confirmation
• Subscription status
• Payment method type (e.g., Visa ending in 1234)

Voice Input:

When you use voice dictation in Chrome or Edge, your spoken audio is sent to Google's speech recognition servers for processing. In Safari, speech recognition may be processed on-device. We do not store or access any audio recordings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide the Service: Generate recipe cost estimates, store your recipes, and deliver smart features
• Account Management: Create and maintain your account, authenticate your identity, and manage your subscription
• Regional Pricing: Use your zip code to provide accurate local pricing estimates
• Fraud Prevention: Use IP addresses and device information to prevent abuse, enforce usage limits, and protect the integrity of the service
• Improve the Service: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and user experience
• Customer Support: Respond to your inquiries and provide technical assistance
• Billing: Process payments and manage subscriptions
• Communications: Send service-related notifications, updates, and marketing messages (you can opt out of marketing)
• Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and enforce our Terms of Service

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect information:

Stripe (Payment Processing):

• Processes subscription payments and credit purchases
• Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy

OpenRouter (Recipe Analysis):

• Provides access to language models for recipe analysis
• Recipe text is sent to language models for cost estimation
• Privacy Policy: https://openrouter.ai/privacy

Model Providers:

Your recipe data may be processed by third-party language models accessed through OpenRouter (such as Google Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). These providers may use your data according to their own privacy policies. We do not control how these providers handle data.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

• Authentication: Session cookies to keep you logged in
• Preferences: Remember your zip code and display settings
• Analytics: Understand how users interact with our service

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit functionality.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With Stripe, OpenRouter, and other third-party services necessary to operate the service
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• Protection: To protect our rights, safety, or property, or that of our users
• With Your Consent: Any other sharing with your explicit permission

6. Data Retention

We retain your information as follows:

• Active Accounts: Data is retained indefinitely while your account is active
• Free Plan: Recipes are purged after 90 days of inactivity
• Deleted Accounts: Account data is permanently deleted within 30 days of account deletion
• Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer if required by law or to resolve disputes

7. Data Security

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

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure database storage
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security audits
• Secure payment processing through Stripe

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

8. Your Privacy Rights

Access: Request a copy of your personal data

Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information

Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data

Export: Download your recipes and data in a portable format

Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (service emails are required)

Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@estimaterecipes.com.

9. Children's Privacy

Recipe Cost Estimator is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at support@estimaterecipes.com.

10. International Users

Our service is operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using the service, you consent to this transfer.

11. California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to deletion of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@estimaterecipes.com.

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Our legal basis for processing your data includes:

• Contract: Processing necessary to provide the service
• Legitimate Interest: Service improvement and fraud prevention
• Consent: For marketing communications and optional features
• Legal Obligation: Compliance with applicable laws

13. Do Not Track

Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. Our service does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on the service. Your continued use of the service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.