Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how Chowseek (“Chowseek,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you use our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the “Services”).
1. Information we collect
Account information
When you create or access an account, we may collect identifiers such as your email address and information provided by an authentication provider you choose to use, such as Apple, Google, or Facebook.
Searches, saved content, and app activity
We may process your food and restaurant search prompts, recommendation history, saved searches, saved places, notes, reminders, and related app interactions so we can provide and synchronize the Services.
Location information
With your permission, Chowseek may process precise or approximate device location to find and rank nearby places, show map context, calculate proximity, and support location-based searches. You may also choose a different search location manually. You can control device location permissions in your operating system settings.
Subscription and transaction information
If you purchase a paid subscription, payment processing is handled by payment providers. We may receive transaction identifiers, subscription status, billing interval, renewal or cancellation status, and similar billing metadata. We do not need to store full payment-card numbers to provide subscription access.
Device, integrity, and technical information
We may collect or generate device and network information needed to operate, secure, troubleshoot, and protect the Services, including device-integrity or application-attestation signals, request identifiers, platform information, logs, and error information.
2. How we use information
We use information to provide and personalize restaurant recommendations; locate places near a chosen location; display maps and place information; sync saved content across devices; authenticate accounts; administer subscriptions; prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access; maintain and improve reliability; respond to support requests; and comply with legal obligations.
3. How information may be shared
We may share information with service providers that help us operate the Services, including providers for authentication, cloud database and hosting, payment processing, maps, navigation, place search or place enrichment, security, and infrastructure. Information shared with those providers is limited to what is reasonably needed for the relevant function and is handled under their applicable terms and privacy practices.
We may also disclose information if required by law, to protect rights or safety, to investigate abuse or fraud, or in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, subject to applicable law.
4. Third-party services and links
Chowseek may use or link to third-party services such as map/navigation providers, app stores, payment providers, sign-in providers, and restaurant/place-data providers. Their handling of information is governed by their own privacy policies.
5. Data retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide the Services, maintain account and subscription records, meet legal or security requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods may vary by data type and purpose. We may retain de-identified or aggregated information where permitted by law.
6. Your choices and rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access to, correction of, deletion of, or a copy of certain personal information, or to object to or restrict certain processing. You may also withdraw device permissions through your operating system. To make a privacy request, contact us at support@chowseek.com. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request.
7. Security
We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information. No system is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Children
The Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If a higher minimum age applies in your jurisdiction, you should use the Services only if you meet that requirement.
9. International use
Information may be processed in countries other than the country where you live. Where required, we use appropriate mechanisms intended to protect information transferred across borders.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version and revise the effective date. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice as required by law.
11. Contact us
For privacy questions or requests, contact support@chowseek.com.