Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 30, 2025

Effective Date: September 30, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to VCook ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application ("VCook" or the "App") available on iOS devices.

VCook is an AI-powered recipe generation and cooking assistance application that helps users create personalized recipes, manage their cooking activities, and plan meals based on dietary preferences and health data.

By using VCook, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the App.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you create an account and use VCook, we collect the following information:

• Account Information: Email address, display name, and password (encrypted) when you register with email, or authentication tokens when using Apple Sign-In or Google Sign-In
• Profile Information: Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, low-carb, keto, paleo, halal, kosher), preferred cooking time, and difficulty level
• Recipe Content: Recipes you create, including recipe names, ingredients, cooking instructions, preparation time, difficulty ratings, servings, required equipment, and any images you upload
• AI Requests: Text descriptions, dietary requirements, and preferences you provide when requesting AI-generated recipes
• User Feedback: Recipe ratings, reviews, and any feedback you provide through the App
• Communications: Information you provide when contacting our support team

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use VCook, we automatically collect certain information:

• Usage Data: Information about how you use the App, including features accessed, recipes viewed, cooking sessions completed, AI generation requests, and interaction patterns
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, app version, unique device identifiers, language preference, and device capabilities (e.g., Apple Intelligence availability)
• Performance Data: App crashes, errors, and performance metrics to improve stability and functionality
• Subscription Data: Subscription status, plan type (free/premium), subscription start and end dates, payment method (Apple App Store), auto-renewal status, and daily usage limits (e.g., 4 AI recipes per day for premium users)

2.3 Photos and Camera Access

With your explicit permission, VCook accesses your camera and photo library for the following purposes:

• Image-to-Recipe Generation: Taking or selecting photos of food to generate recipes using AI analysis
• Recipe Photos: Adding photos to your saved recipes

You can grant or revoke camera and photo library permissions at any time through your device's Settings app. Images you upload are stored in Firebase Cloud Storage and may be processed by our AI service providers for recipe generation.

2.4 Health Data (Optional - HealthKit Integration)

VCook's HealthKit integration is entirely optional and requires your explicit consent.

If you choose to enable health-based recipe recommendations, VCook may request read-only access to the following health data through Apple HealthKit:

• Heart rate (latest measurement)
• Step count (daily total)
• Active energy burned (daily calories)
• Exercise time (Apple Exercise minutes)
• Sleep duration (last night's sleep hours)
• Body weight (latest measurement in kg)
• Height (in cm)
• Age (calculated from date of birth)
• Biological sex
• Workout types and duration

2.5 Information We Do NOT Collect

To protect your privacy, VCook does not collect the following:

• Location data or GPS coordinates
• Contacts from your address book
• Calendar events or reminders
• Payment card information (payments are processed by Apple)
• Browsing history or activity outside the App
• Microphone audio recordings (voice commands use on-device Speech Recognition)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Provide and Improve Services

• Create and manage your account
• Generate personalized AI recipes based on your preferences and health data
• Store and sync your recipes across devices
• Enable recipe sharing with other users
• Provide cooking assistance, timers, and voice-guided cooking
• Translate recipes to your preferred language
• Improve AI model accuracy and personalization
• Develop new features and enhance existing functionality

3.2 Subscription Management

• Verify and manage your subscription status (free or premium)
• Enforce usage limits (e.g., 4 AI recipes per day for premium users)
• Sync subscription status across devices
• Process subscription renewals and cancellations through Apple

3.3 Analytics and Performance

• Analyze usage patterns to understand how users interact with features
• Monitor app performance, crashes, and errors
• Measure feature adoption and effectiveness
• Conduct A/B testing for improvements

3.4 Communication

• Send cooking timer notifications and step completion reminders
• Respond to your support requests and inquiries
• Send important service announcements (e.g., changes to terms or privacy policy)
• Notify you about subscription status changes

Note: We do not send promotional emails, marketing materials, or advertisements. All communications are transactional or essential to the service.

3.5 Legal Compliance and Safety

• Comply with legal obligations and law enforcement requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security threats
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of VCook, our users, and the public

4. How We Share Your Information

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

4.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party service providers to operate our App. These providers have access to your information only to perform services on our behalf and are obligated to protect your information:

Service Provider	Purpose	Data Shared	Privacy Policy
Firebase (Google)	Backend infrastructure, authentication, database, storage, cloud functions	Account info, recipes, images, usage data, subscription status	Firebase Privacy
RevenueCat	Subscription management and validation	User ID, subscription status, purchase receipts	RevenueCat Privacy
AI Providers (OpenAI, Google Gemini, DeepSeek)	Recipe generation, image analysis, translation (processed server-side via Firebase Functions)	Recipe requests, food images, dietary preferences, anonymized health summaries	OpenAI Privacy Google Privacy
Apple Sign-In	Authentication (optional)	Apple ID credential, email (optional), name (optional)	Apple Privacy
Google Sign-In	Authentication (optional)	Google ID token, email, display name, profile picture	Google Privacy

4.2 Apple Intelligence (On-Device Processing)

When available on your device (iOS 26+), VCook offers on-device AI processing using Apple Intelligence. This provides enhanced privacy as your data never leaves your device for AI processing. No data is shared with external AI providers when using Apple Intelligence.

4.3 Recipe Sharing

When you choose to share a recipe with another user:

• The recipient receives a copy of the recipe (not a shared reference)
• Recipe content (name, ingredients, steps, images) is shared with the recipient
• Your email address is visible to the recipient if they search for you
• You control what you share; no recipes are shared without your explicit action

4.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Valid legal processes (subpoenas, court orders, warrants)
• Law enforcement or government requests
• Protection of our legal rights or the safety of users
• Investigation of fraud, security issues, or violations of our Terms of Service

4.5 Business Transfers

If VCook is involved in a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred to the successor entity. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice in the App before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

5. Data Storage and Security

5.1 Where We Store Your Data

Your data is stored in the following locations:

• Cloud Storage (Firebase): User accounts, recipes, images, and usage data are stored on Google's Firebase platform with servers primarily in the United States
• On Your Device: Daily menu plans (SwiftData local database), image cache, Firestore cache, and app preferences (UserDefaults)
• HealthKit: Health data remains in your device's HealthKit database and is accessed by VCook only with your permission. We do not store raw HealthKit data on our servers.

5.2 How We Protect Your Data

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption in Transit: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS protocols
• Encryption at Rest: Data stored in Firebase is encrypted at rest using Google's security infrastructure
• Authentication Security: Firebase Authentication uses secure tokens and OAuth 2.0 protocols
• Secure Payment Processing: All payments are processed by Apple; we never store payment card information
• Server-Side Receipt Validation: Subscription purchases are validated server-side via RevenueCat to prevent fraud
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can access user data within our organization

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5.3 Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services:

• Account Data: Retained until you delete your account
• Recipes and Content: Retained until you delete them or your account
• Usage Analytics: Aggregated and anonymized analytics may be retained indefinitely for research and improvement
• Subscription Records: Retained for accounting and legal compliance purposes (typically 7 years after cancellation)
• Legal Compliance: Some information may be retained longer if required by law or to resolve disputes

After account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.

6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Update Your Information

You can access and update your information at any time:

• Profile Settings: Update your display name, dietary preferences, and cooking preferences in the app's Profile section
• Recipes: Edit or delete your recipes at any time
• Email Address: Change your email through the Account Management section (requires re-authentication)

6.2 Delete Your Account

You have the right to delete your account and all associated data:

1. Open VCook and go to Settings → Account Management
2. Tap "Delete Account"
3. Confirm your decision (may require re-authentication for security)
4. Your account, recipes, and personal data will be permanently deleted within 30 days

6.3 Manage Permissions

You can control app permissions through your device settings:

• Camera & Photos: iOS Settings → VCook → Photos (grant/revoke access)
• Notifications: iOS Settings → VCook → Notifications (enable/disable)
• HealthKit: iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Health → VCook (manage specific health data permissions)

Revoking permissions may limit certain features but will not delete your account or existing data.

6.4 Opt-Out of Analytics

While we use analytics to improve the App, you can limit data collection:

• Disable Personalization: Turn off AI personalization in Profile Settings to prevent analysis of your usage patterns
• Limit Ad Tracking: iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking → Disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track" (Note: VCook does not use advertising trackers, but this provides system-wide protection)

6.5 Data Portability

You have the right to receive a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format:

• Contact us at vcook.innovation@gmail.com to request a data export
• We will provide your recipes, profile information, and usage history within 30 days

6.6 Manage Subscription

To manage or cancel your VCook subscription:

1. Open iOS Settings
2. Tap [Your Name] → Subscriptions
3. Select VCook
4. Choose "Cancel Subscription" or modify your plan

Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period.

7. International Users and Data Transfers

VCook is operated from the United States, and our service providers (Firebase, RevenueCat) primarily store data on servers located in the United States. If you are accessing the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

By using VCook, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, which may have different data protection laws.

7.1 European Union Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at vcook.innovation@gmail.com.

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your data based on:

• Contract Performance: Necessary to provide the services you requested (e.g., recipe generation, account management)
• Consent: For optional features like HealthKit integration and photo access
• Legitimate Interests: For analytics, fraud prevention, and service improvement (balanced against your privacy rights)
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe we have violated your privacy rights.

7.2 California Users (CCPA)

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

• Right to Know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell your personal information to third parties
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at vcook.innovation@gmail.com or use the in-app account deletion feature.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

VCook is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13 years old, please do not use the App or provide any information to us.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at vcook.innovation@gmail.com, and we will delete the information.

Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Users between 13 and 18 should have parental or guardian permission to use the App, especially for features involving health data (HealthKit) or subscriptions.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you via in-app notification or email for material changes
• Require your consent for changes that significantly expand our rights to use your data

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the App after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Third-Party Links

VCook may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., social media sharing, recipe sources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Contact Us

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

12. Additional Information

12.1 AI-Generated Content Disclaimer

Recipes generated by AI are created based on your inputs and dietary preferences. While we strive for accuracy:

• AI-generated recipes may contain errors or inaccuracies
• Always verify ingredient safety, especially for allergies or health conditions
• VCook is not responsible for health outcomes from following AI-generated recipes
• Consult healthcare professionals for medical or dietary advice

12.2 Health Data Disclaimer

VCook's health-based recipe recommendations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.

12.3 No Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for monetary or other valuable consideration. Your data is used solely to provide and improve VCook's services.

12.4 Cookie Policy

VCook is a native mobile app and does not use browser cookies. However, our service providers (Firebase) may use similar technologies (e.g., session tokens, persistent identifiers) to maintain your login session and app functionality. These are necessary for the App to function properly.

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Thank you for trusting VCook with your data.
We're committed to protecting your privacy while helping you create amazing meals.

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