# Privacy Policy - AI BiteBuddy

**Last updated:** April 29, 2026

This privacy policy describes how the **AI BiteBuddy** app collects, uses, and protects your information when you use our services.

## 1. Information We Collect

When you use AI BiteBuddy, we collect the following information:

- **Google Account Information:** Email address and profile information, obtained through Google Sign-In for authentication and account personalization purposes.
- **Device Identifiers:** Technical device IDs automatically collected for advertising functionality and performance analytics.
- **Meal Photos:** Images you upload or capture for AI-powered nutritional analysis.
- **Meal Data:** Descriptions, ingredients, portions, and analyzed nutritional values (calories, macros).
- **Personal Profile:** Age, weight, height, activity level, and fitness goals to calculate personalized calorie targets.
- **Usage Data:** App navigation, feature usage, crashes, and diagnostic events.
- **Preferences:** Language, units (metric/imperial), notification settings, and app configuration.

## 2. How We Use Data

The information collected is used exclusively to:

- Authenticate your access and protect your personal account.
- Analyze meal photos via OpenAI to estimate nutritional content.
- Calculate personalized calorie targets and metabolic estimates.
- Display rewarded ads that unlock app features.
- Monitor app stability and fix technical issues.
- Respond to support requests and improve user experience.

## 3. Third-Party Services

The app uses third-party services that may collect information used to identify you:

- **Firebase Authentication & Analytics:** User authentication, session management, and app usage tracking.
- **Firebase App Check:** Security verification of API requests.
- **Google Play Services:** System libraries and device identifiers.
- **AdMob (Google Ads):** Display advertisements in the app.
- **OpenAI API:** Analyze meal photos and estimate nutritional values.
- **Render Backend:** Secure server-side API for meal analysis and metabolic calculations.

For more information, consult:
- https://firebase.google.com/policies/analytics
- https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6128543
- https://openai.com/privacy/

## 4. Data Storage

- **On your device:** Meal history, profile, and preferences are stored locally using encrypted local storage. This data never leaves your device unless you delete the app.
- **On our servers:** Meal photos are sent to OpenAI for analysis but are not retained after processing.
- **Session data:** Authentication tokens and analytics are stored in Firebase (typically retained for 90 days).

## 5. Data Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and all associated data at any time by sending an email to:

**Email:** alebler@gmail.com  
**Subject:** Data Deletion Request

We will remove your Firebase account and server records within 30 days.

To remove data from your device, uninstall the app and clear its cache through your device settings.

## 6. Security

The security of your data is important to us. We use:

- **HTTPS/TLS encryption** for all data transmission.
- **Firebase security** for user authentication and session management.
- **Local encryption** for meal history stored on your device.
- **Firebase App Check** to verify legitimate app instances.

**Important:** Meal photos are never stored on our servers—only temporarily processed for analysis.

## 7. Children's Privacy

BiteBuddy is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. If we discover that a minor under 13 has created an account, we will delete it immediately.

## 8. Changes to This Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We recommend reviewing this page periodically. Continued use of the app after updates constitutes acceptance of the new policy.

## 9. Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

**Email:** alebler@gmail.com  
**Subject:** AI BiteBuddy Privacy Inquiry

We will respond to your request within 30 days.