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Privacy Policy — SmartCart

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

1. Introduction

SmartCart (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information when you use our mobile application (“the App”).

2. Data Storage – Local Only

SmartCart is designed as an offline-first application. All user-generated data you enter into the App, including:

  • Recipes and meal plans
  • Grocery lists and pantry items
  • Nutrition tracking data
  • User preferences and settings
  • Cooking history and notes

is stored exclusively on your device. We do not collect, transmit, store, or process any of your personal content data on external servers or cloud services.

3. Firebase Analytics & Telemetry

To improve the App and understand usage patterns, we use Google Firebase Analytics to collect anonymized analytics data. This includes:

  • App usage statistics
  • Feature interaction data
  • Crash reports and performance metrics
  • Anonymous device information

Firebase Analytics collects this data in accordance with Google’s privacy policies. NO PERSONAL INFORMATION (names, emails, phone numbers) is collected through analytics. You can opt out of analytics collection through your device settings.

Crash reports collected by Firebase may include device model, OS version, app version, and stack traces from crashes. This information helps us identify and fix bugs. No user content or personal data is included in crash reports.

We also use Firebase for: In-App Messaging to show helpful tips and notifications, and Remote Configuration to manage app features and update settings without requiring app updates. Data retention for Firebase Analytics is typically 14 months; for more details, see Google’s data retention policies at https://policies.google.com/privacy

4. Advertising

SmartCart displays ads through Google AdMob. Google AdMob may collect and process information for personalized advertising purposes in accordance with Google’s privacy policies. This includes limited information about your app usage, general device information, and your advertising ID (which you can reset in your device settings). Personalized ads are limited by your ad preferences and app-tracking transparency settings.

For iOS users: We request Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permission at app launch. You can grant or deny tracking permission at any time through your device settings. If you deny ATT, ads will be shown but not personalized.

5. Push Notifications

If you enable notifications, we may send you:

  • Meal preparation reminders based on your meal planner
  • Expiry alerts for pantry items
  • Engagement tips

Notification data is processed locally on your device. You can disable notifications at any time through your device settings or the App settings.

6. Location Data

SmartCart does NOT collect, request, or process your location data. The App has no access to your GPS, location services, or any location-based information.

7. In-App Purchases

SmartCart offers a Premium subscription through Apple’s App Store. All payment processing is handled by Apple in accordance with Apple’s privacy policies. We do not collect, store, or process your payment card information. Transaction receipts and subscription status are managed by Apple. You can manage your subscriptions and billing information through your Apple ID settings.

8. External Content & Assets

Recipe images are loaded from an external GitHub repository (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nullclub365-droid/smartcart-assets/main/). When you view recipes, your device connects to GitHub to fetch these images. GitHub’s privacy policy applies to this data. Your personal information is not shared with GitHub; only your request to view a recipe image is sent. You can disable image loading in your device’s network settings if desired.

9. Permissions

The App may request certain permissions on your device, including:

  • Notifications for reminders and meal notifications
  • Storage for backup and data export
  • App Tracking Transparency (ATT) on iOS for limited personalized advertising

These permissions are optional and only used when you explicitly enable the related features. You can revoke them at any time through your device settings.

10. Data Backup

If you use the backup and restore feature, your data export file is created and stored on your device or a location you choose. We do not have access to these backup files. You are responsible for securing and managing your backup files.

11. Data Security

Since your content data is stored locally on your device, data security depends on your device’s security measures. We recommend using device lock screens, keeping your OS updated, and regularly backing up your data using the App’s backup feature. Analytics and ad data sent to Google services are protected by Google’s security measures.

12. Data Deletion

You can delete your local data at any time by:

  • Uninstalling the App (which removes all local data)
  • Using the App’s data deletion features in settings
  • Clearing the App’s data through your device settings

Once deleted, local data cannot be recovered unless you have a backup. Analytics data is managed by Google; refer to their privacy policies for deletion requests.

13. Your Rights & Choices

You have complete control over your content data because it’s stored on your device. You can view, modify, export, or delete any of your content data at any time. For analytics and ad data collected by Google services, you can:

  • Disable analytics collection in app settings
  • Opt out of personalized ads through your device settings
  • Reset your advertising ID in your device settings

FOR CALIFORNIA (CCPA) USERS: You have the right to know what personal information is collected and how it’s used. Since we don’t collect personal information (only anonymized analytics), your rights are limited to controlling analytics and ad data.

FOR EU (GDPR) USERS: We comply with GDPR principles by minimizing data collection and providing transparency about how we handle your information.

14. Third-Party Services

SmartCart uses the following third-party services that may collect data in accordance with their own privacy policies:

Please review their privacy policies for details on how they handle data.

15. Children’s Privacy

The App is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal information should contact us immediately.

16. Contact & Privacy Questions

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, concerns about your privacy, or requests to exercise your rights, please contact us at:

Email: support@smartcart.app

We will respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days.

17. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the “Last Updated” date in the App and, if required, by displaying a notice in the App or through other means. Your continued use of the App after changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your privacy.

Last updated: January 1, 2025