Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 15, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Taste Buds (“we”, “us”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use the Taste Buds mobile application and the website at mytastebuds.app (the “Service”).

1. Information we collect

Account information

You create an account using Sign in with Apple. Depending on what you choose to share with Apple, we receive your name and an email address (which may be an Apple private relay address that forwards to you), along with a unique identifier for your account.

Profile and content you create

We store the content you create in the Service, including your profile details, lists, saved restaurants and places, notes, recommendations, and your connections to other users (your “buds”).

Location

With your permission, we use your device's location while you are using the app to show your current city and to calculate distances to restaurants and places. You can grant or revoke this permission at any time in your device settings; some features may be limited without it.

Contacts

With your permission, we access your device contacts to help you find people you know who already use Taste Buds. We use this only to match contacts to existing accounts. [Confirm and state your actual practice: e.g. matching happens on-device / contact data is sent in hashed form and not stored / is deleted after matching.] You can grant or revoke contacts access at any time in your device settings.

Usage and device information

We use Google Firebase Analytics to understand how the Service is used (for example, sign-ups and key actions). This may include device and app information, identifiers, and event data. We use this to operate, secure, and improve the Service.

2. How we use your information

  • To provide, maintain, and operate the Service.
  • To show you and your buds relevant lists, places, and recommendations, and the distances around you.
  • To help you connect with people you know.
  • To keep accounts secure and prevent abuse.
  • To analyze usage and improve the Service.
  • To comply with legal obligations.

3. How we share your information

  • With other users.Content you choose to share — such as your profile, lists, and recommendations — is visible to the buds and users you share it with, according to the app's sharing controls.
  • Service providers. We use Google Firebase (authentication, database, and analytics) to run the Service, and the Google Places service to provide restaurant search and place information. These providers process data on our behalf or under their own terms.
  • Legal and safety. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our users, the public, or Taste Buds.
  • Business transfers. Information may be transferred as part of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

We do not sell your personal information.

4. Third-party services

Some features rely on services with their own privacy practices, including Google Firebase, Google Places, and Apple (Sign in with Apple). We encourage you to review their policies.

5. Data retention

We keep your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. When you delete content or your account, we delete or de-identify the associated personal information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it by law or for legitimate business purposes such as security and backups.

6. Your rights and choices

  • Access and update. You can view and edit your profile and content in the app.
  • Delete your account. You can delete your account and associated personal data from within the app. You may also contact us to request deletion.
  • Permissions. You can control location and contacts access at any time through your device settings.
  • Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights (such as access, correction, deletion, or portability). Contact us to exercise them.

7. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. International users

We and our service providers may process and store your information in countries other than where you live, including the United States. By using the Service, you understand that your information may be transferred to those locations.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice through the Service or by other reasonable means, and we will update the “Last updated” date above.

11. Contact

Questions about your privacy or this policy? Email us at hello@mytastebuds.app.