Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Dish AI ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience when using our mobile application ("App"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the Dish AI application available on the Apple App Store.

By downloading, installing, or using Dish AI, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the App.

2. Information We Collect

We are designed with a privacy-first approach. We collect minimal data and store your personal information locally on your device whenever possible.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: When you create an account, we may collect your name, email address, and authentication credentials. This information is used solely to maintain your account and enable app functionality.
• User Preferences: Dietary preferences, cuisine interests, and other settings you configure within the App.
• Saved Recipes: Recipes you save, favourite, or organise within the App. These are stored locally on your device.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Camera Data: The App uses your device's camera to scan and identify food dishes. Images captured by the camera are processed in real-time to identify food items and generate recipes. We do not store, upload, or retain the images you capture. Camera images are processed transiently and discarded immediately after the food identification process is complete.
• Device Information: We may collect general device information such as device model, operating system version, and unique device identifiers for analytics and troubleshooting purposes.
• Usage Data: We may collect anonymous, aggregated information about how you interact with the App, such as features used, scan frequency, and navigation patterns. This data is used solely to improve the App experience.
• Crash and Performance Data: In the event of an app crash or performance issue, we may collect diagnostic data to help us identify and resolve technical problems.

2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect

• We do not collect your precise location data.
• We do not access your photo library or camera roll (unless you explicitly choose to scan an image from your library).
• We do not collect financial or payment information directly. Any purchases are processed securely through Apple's App Store payment system.
• We do not collect health or fitness data.
• We do not collect contacts, messages, or call data.

3. Camera Usage and Permissions

Dish AI requires access to your device's camera to provide its core functionality — scanning and identifying food dishes.

• Purpose: The camera is used exclusively to capture images of food dishes for the purpose of identifying the dish and generating a corresponding recipe.
• Processing: Images captured by the camera are processed using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This processing may occur on-device or via secure transmission to our servers for AI analysis.
• Retention: Camera images are not stored on our servers. Images are processed transiently and deleted immediately after the AI has identified the dish. No photographic data is retained, shared, or used for any purpose beyond the immediate food identification.
• Permission: Camera access is requested only when you initiate a scan. You can revoke camera permissions at any time through your device's Settings app. Without camera access, the scanning feature will be unavailable, but all other App features will continue to work normally.

4. Local Data Storage

Dish AI is designed to keep your data on your device:

• Recipes: All recipes you scan and save are stored locally on your device within the App's secure data container.
• Preferences: Your dietary preferences, settings, and personalisation data are stored locally.
• Scan History: Your history of scanned dishes is maintained locally on your device.
• Account Data: Your account credentials and profile information are stored securely on your device using industry-standard encryption.

Because your data is stored locally, deleting the App will remove all locally stored data from your device. We recommend exporting any data you wish to keep before uninstalling.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Core Functionality: To identify dishes via camera scanning and generate accurate recipes, ingredients, and nutritional information.
• Personalisation: To customise your experience based on your dietary preferences and usage patterns.
• App Improvement: To analyse anonymous, aggregated usage data to improve App features, performance, and user experience.
• Technical Support: To diagnose and fix technical issues, crashes, and bugs.
• Communication: To send you important updates about the App, such as changes to this Privacy Policy or terms of service (if you have opted in to receive communications).

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share limited data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the App, such as cloud hosting, AI processing, and analytics services. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via the App or email of any change in ownership or use of your personal information.
• Protection of Rights: We may disclose information when we believe it is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.

7. Third-Party Services

The App may use the following categories of third-party services:

• AI/Machine Learning Services: For food recognition and recipe generation. Image data sent to these services is processed transiently and not retained.
• Analytics: We may use analytics tools to understand how users interact with the App. All analytics data is anonymised and aggregated.
• Crash Reporting: We may use crash reporting tools to identify and fix bugs. Crash reports contain technical information about the crash and do not include personal data.

We do not integrate with advertising networks, social media tracking, or any third-party service that profiles users for ad targeting purposes.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL protocols.
• Encryption of locally stored data using Apple's built-in data protection mechanisms.
• Secure authentication practices.
• Regular security assessments and code reviews.
• Strict access controls limiting employee access to user data.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Data Retention

• Camera Images: Not retained. Processed transiently and immediately discarded.
• Local Data (recipes, preferences, scan history): Retained on your device until you delete the App or clear the App's data.
• Account Information: Retained for as long as you maintain an active account. You may request deletion of your account at any time (see Section 10).
• Analytics Data: Anonymised, aggregated analytics data may be retained indefinitely for product improvement purposes. This data cannot be used to identify individual users.
• Crash Reports: Retained for up to 12 months for debugging purposes, then automatically deleted.

10. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and associated data. To delete your account and all associated data, please contact us at the email address listed below or use the "Delete Account" option in the App's settings.
• Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
• Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process data, you can withdraw that consent at any time.
• Camera Permission: You can enable or disable camera access at any time through your device's Settings > Privacy > Camera.
• Notifications: You can manage notification preferences through the App's settings or your device's notification settings.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 16.

11. Children's Privacy

Dish AI is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as promptly as possible.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at the email address listed in Section 16.

12. International Data Transfers

If you are accessing the App from outside the country where our servers are located, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in a different country. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection rules than your country of residence.

We ensure that any international transfers of personal data comply with applicable data protection laws, including the use of appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent mechanisms.

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• The right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold.
• The right to delete personal information held by us.
• The right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell your personal information.
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights.

To exercise your rights under the CCPA, please contact us using the information in Section 16.

14. European Economic Area (EEA) / UK Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• Right of access to 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 lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

Our legal bases for processing your data include: performance of a contract (providing the App's services), legitimate interests (improving the App), and consent (where applicable).

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy within the App.
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy.
• Sending a notification through the App for significant changes.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your data. Your continued use of the App after the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

17. Apple App Store Compliance

This App is distributed through the Apple App Store and complies with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, including:

• App Tracking Transparency: Dish AI does not track users across other companies' apps or websites. We do not use the IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers) for tracking purposes.
• App Privacy Details: Our App Store listing accurately reflects our data collection and usage practices as described in this Privacy Policy.
• Required Device Capabilities: The App requires camera access for its core scanning functionality. This permission is requested in-app with a clear explanation of its use.
• In-App Purchases: Any in-app purchases are processed exclusively through Apple's secure payment system. We do not collect or store payment card details.