Privacy Policy

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Introduction

Welcome to Viand ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service"). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the application.

App Tracking Transparency (iOS)

On iOS 14.5 and later, we request your permission before tracking your activity across other companies' apps and websites for analytics purposes. When you first open the app, you'll see a prompt asking whether to allow tracking.

• If you select "Allow": We'll enable full Firebase Analytics to understand app usage and improve our service
• If you select "Ask App Not to Track": We'll only collect data necessary for app functionality, with no cross-app tracking
• You can change this setting anytime in iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking

This tracking consent only applies to analytics data. Core app features like reviews, photos, and restaurant discovery work regardless of your tracking preference.

Information We Collect

Information Used for App Functionality

We collect the following information to provide our core app features:

• Account Information: Name and email address for account creation and authentication
• Profile Information: Username, profile picture, and bio for your public profile
• User Content: Restaurant reviews, ratings, and photos you share
• Location Data: GPS coordinates to find nearby restaurants and enhance location-based features
• Social Connections: Friends and followers within the app
• Contact Access: Phone numbers from your contacts (only when you choose to invite friends)

Information Used for Analytics and Tracking

With your consent (via App Tracking Transparency on iOS), we collect:

• Usage Data: Screen views, feature usage, button taps, and app interaction patterns
• Location Analytics: City-level location data and location search patterns
• Device Identifiers: User IDs and device IDs for analytics purposes
• Performance Data: App crashes, errors, and performance metrics

Important: If you opt out of tracking, we only collect data necessary for app functionality. Analytics collection stops, but the app continues to work normally.

Camera and Photo Access

Our app requests access to your device's camera and photo library to enable you to:

• Take photos of menu items and restaurants for reviews
• Scan menus using OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
• Upload existing photos from your device
• Set profile pictures

Photos are only accessed when you explicitly choose to take or select them. We do not access your camera or photos without your permission.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our Service
• Create and manage your account
• Enable you to write and share reviews
• Connect you with friends and other users
• Provide personalized restaurant recommendations
• Send you important updates and notifications
• Analyze usage patterns to improve the app
• Ensure the security and integrity of our Service
• Comply with legal obligations

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Public Information

Some information you provide may be publicly visible to other users:

• Your username and profile picture
• Restaurant reviews and ratings
• Photos you share in reviews
• Your follower/following lists (if you choose to make them public)

Third-Party Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers:

For App Functionality (Always Active)

• Supabase: Database, authentication, and file storage
• Google Services: Maps, Places API, and Vision OCR for menu scanning
• Expo/EAS: App infrastructure, push notifications, and crash reporting

For Analytics and Tracking (Only with Your Consent)

• Firebase Analytics (Google): Usage data, device identifiers, and location data for app analytics and improvement

Note: If you opt out of tracking on iOS, no data is shared with Firebase Analytics.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe such disclosure is necessary to protect our rights or comply with legal obligations.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access, update, or delete your personal information
• Control your privacy settings within the app
• Opt out of non-essential communications
• Request a copy of your data
• Delete your account and all associated data

Account Deletion

You can permanently delete your account directly from the app:

• In the App: Go to Profile > Delete Account
• What gets deleted: All reviews, photos, favorites, followers, notes, and personal data
• Immediate effect: Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone
• No website required: Complete deletion happens instantly through the app

Note: Account deletion is permanent. Once deleted, your account and all associated data cannot be recovered.

Tracking Control (iOS Users)

You can control tracking at any time:

• iOS Settings: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Viand
• App Store Prompt: When first launching the app, you'll be asked for tracking permission
• Effect: Disabling tracking stops all Firebase Analytics data collection while maintaining full app functionality

Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

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