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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to PLATO: Recipes & Pantry AI (“PLATO”, “we”, “our”, or “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how your data is collected, processed, and safeguarded.

This Privacy Policy applies to the PLATO: Recipes & Pantry AI iOS mobile application and related web services. By downloading, accessing, or using PLATO, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, as well as data automatically gathered to provide you with the best kitchen and cooking experience:

  • Account & Profile Information: When you register or sign in using Apple Sign-In or Google Sign-In, we collect your email address, display name, and authentication identifiers managed securely via Supabase. You may also use PLATO as a guest.
  • Pantry & Recipe Data: Ingredients you add to your virtual pantry, expiration dates, custom recipes, meal planning schedules, grocery checklists, and cooking status.
  • Camera & Photo Library: With your explicit iOS permission, PLATO accesses your camera or photo library solely to scan grocery items, detect ingredients, import recipes from cookbooks or physical recipe cards, or capture photos of your cooked meals. Photo data is processed strictly for this purpose.
  • Microphone Access: With your permission, microphone access is used for hands-free voice commands while cooking in Cook Mode. Voice data is not stored or shared for advertising.
  • Device & Usage Diagnostics: Technical data including device model, iOS version, anonymous crash logs, and app interaction telemetry to diagnose crashes and maintain service reliability.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following legitimate purposes:

  • AI Recipe Generation: Generating customized recipes, nutritional calculations, and cooking steps tailored to your on-hand pantry ingredients and dietary preferences.
  • Pantry & Expiration Tracking: Notifying you before ingredients spoil to reduce kitchen waste.
  • Meal Planning & Grocery Organization: Structuring weekly meal calendars and generating aisle-categorized grocery lists.
  • Customer Support & Service Reliability: Diagnosing app issues, responding to user feedback, and rolling out updates.

4. Third-Party Service Providers & AI Processing

We partner with trusted third-party service providers to deliver core functionalities:

  • Google Gemini AI: Used to interpret ingredient queries, parse imported recipes, and craft original cooking instructions. Only recipe and ingredient prompts are sent to the AI API; we do not transmit sensitive personal identifiers to the AI model.
  • Supabase: Provides secure cloud database storage, authentication, and encrypted backups.
  • RevenueCat & Apple App Store: Manages in-app purchases and subscriptions. We never store or access your credit card numbers or financial details directly; all transactions are processed through Apple's secure App Store billing system.
  • Google AdMob: Serves non-intrusive advertisements on the free tier of the application. AdMob may collect device identifiers and usage metrics in compliance with applicable privacy laws.

5. Advertising & Consent Management (UMP / ATT)

We strictly respect your privacy choices and international privacy standards:

  • Apple App Tracking Transparency (ATT): On iOS, we request your explicit consent before any tracking identifier is used for personalized advertising.
  • Google User Messaging Platform (UMP CMP): For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom, we integrate a Google-certified Consent Management Platform supporting IAB Europe's Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF v2.2).
  • Managing Your Preferences: You can review, modify, or revoke your advertising and consent preferences at any time directly inside the app by going to Settings > Ad Privacy Preferences.

6. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to provide the services requested, or until you choose to delete your account.

Direct In-App Account Deletion (Apple Guideline 5.1.1(v)):
You can permanently delete your account and all associated personal data at any time directly within the PLATO app by navigating to Settings > Delete Account. When confirmed, your authentication profile, pantry items, recipes, and meal plans are immediately and permanently erased from our servers.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, including HTTPS / TLS 1.3 encryption for all data in transit, encrypted storage at rest, and strict access controls. While no electronic transmission is 100% secure, we continuously update our protocols to prevent unauthorized access.

8. Children's Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

PLATO is designed for general audiences and is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, we promptly delete it from our systems.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, app features, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of PLATO after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please reach out to us: