Privacy Policy for Recipe Mate

Introduction

Recipe Mate ("we", "our", or "the app") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how Recipe Mate collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our iOS application.

Recipe Mate is developed and operated by Craig Davey.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

Recipe Mate collects and stores the following information locally on your device:

• Recipe Information: Recipe titles, ingredients, cooking instructions, preparation times, cooking times, servings, and recipe categories that you create
• Recipe Images: Photos you take or select from your photo library to associate with your recipes
• Meal Plans: Your meal planning data, including diary entries linking recipes to specific dates
• App Preferences: Your app settings such as theme preference (light/dark mode) and diary view settings

Information We Do NOT Collect

Recipe Mate does NOT collect, transmit, or have access to:

• Personal identification information (name, email, phone number, address)
• Location data
• Contacts
• Analytics or usage statistics
• Any data from other apps on your device
• Financial or payment information

How We Use Your Information

All information collected by Recipe Mate is used exclusively for the following purposes:

1. Core Functionality: To provide recipe management and meal planning features
2. Local Storage: To save your recipes and meal plans on your device
3. iCloud Backup (Optional): To sync your data across your Apple devices if you enable this feature
4. App Preferences: To remember your settings and provide a personalized experience

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage

• All your recipe data, images, and meal plans are stored locally on your device using encrypted database storage (Hive)
• App preferences are stored using secure storage mechanisms provided by iOS
• Your data never leaves your device except when you explicitly enable iCloud backup

iCloud Storage (Optional)

If you choose to enable iCloud backup:

• Recipe data and meal plan data are backed up to your personal iCloud account
• Data is transmitted securely using Apple's iCloud infrastructure
• Only you have access to this data through your Apple ID
• We (Recipe Mate developers) do not have access to your iCloud data
• You can disable iCloud backup at any time in the app settings
• You can delete iCloud backups at any time through the app

Security Measures

We implement the following security measures:

• Encrypted local database storage
• Secure storage for app preferences
• Camera and photo library access only when you explicitly take or select photos
• No transmission of data to external servers (except iCloud if you enable it)
• No third-party analytics or tracking services

Permissions

Recipe Mate requests the following permissions:

Camera Permission

• Purpose: To take photos of your recipes
• When: Only when you tap "Take Photo" when adding or editing a recipe
• Usage: Photos are stored locally and are not transmitted anywhere except to iCloud if you enable backup

Photo Library Permission

• Purpose: To select existing photos for your recipes
• When: Only when you tap "Pick Image" when adding or editing a recipe
• Usage: Selected photos are stored locally and are not transmitted anywhere except to iCloud if you enable backup

iCloud Permission

• Purpose: To back up and sync your recipe data across your Apple devices
• When: Only if you enable iCloud backup in settings
• Usage: Data is synced to your personal iCloud account

Data Sharing and Third Parties

Recipe Mate does NOT:

• Share your data with third parties
• Sell your data
• Use third-party analytics services
• Display advertisements
• Transmit data to external servers (except iCloud if you enable it)

Your data remains entirely under your control on your device and your personal iCloud account (if enabled).

Your Rights and Choices

You have complete control over your data:

Access and Export

• All your data is accessible within the app at all times
• You can view, edit, or delete any recipe or meal plan entry

Data Deletion

• You can delete individual recipes or meal plans at any time
• You can delete all data by uninstalling the app
• You can delete iCloud backups through the app settings

iCloud Backup Control

• You can enable or disable iCloud backup at any time in the app settings
• You can choose to download or delete iCloud backups
• Disabling iCloud backup does not affect your local data

Camera and Photo Permissions

• You can revoke camera and photo library permissions at any time through your device settings
• Revoking these permissions only prevents adding new photos; existing recipes remain intact

Children's Privacy

Recipe Mate does not knowingly collect personal information from children. The app is designed for general audiences and does not target children specifically. Since all data is stored locally and no data is collected by us, children can use the app safely under parental supervision.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make changes:

• The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy will be revised
• Significant changes will be communicated through the app or app store update notes
• Your continued use of the app after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

Data Retention

• Local Data: Data remains on your device until you delete it or uninstall the app
• iCloud Data: If iCloud backup is enabled, data remains in your iCloud account until you delete it through the app or your iCloud settings

Contact Information

Legal Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with:

• Apple App Store Review Guidelines
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) principles

Your Consent

By using Recipe Mate, you consent to this Privacy Policy and our data practices as described herein.

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