Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Welcome to ChooseMy.Food ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you understand how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our random restaurant picker service at choosemy.food (the "Service").

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Location Information

To provide our restaurant recommendation service, we collect:

• Geolocation Data: When you click "Detect My Location," we request access to your device's GPS coordinates to find restaurants near you
• Manual Location Input: If you manually enter a city, address, or zip code, we use this information to search for nearby restaurants
• Search Radius: Your selected search radius (1-50 miles) to determine how far to search for restaurants

1.2 Preference Information

We temporarily store your filter preferences during your session:

• Cuisine type selections (Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc.)
• Establishment type preferences (Restaurant, Bar, Café, Bakery)
• Price range selections ($, $$, $$$, $$$$)
• Occasion filters (Date Night, Birthday, Family Gathering, etc.)

1.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information:

• Browser Information: Browser type, version, and settings
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, screen resolution
• IP Address: Your Internet Protocol address (used for rate limiting and security)
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on the Service, and interaction patterns
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device (see Section 4)

1.4 Information We Do NOT Collect

We want to be clear about what we don't collect:

• We do NOT require account creation or login
• We do NOT collect your name, email address, or phone number
• We do NOT collect payment information (our service is free)
• We do NOT track your restaurant visits or dining history
• We do NOT store your location data after your session ends

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 To Provide Our Service

• Search for restaurants near your location using the Google Places API
• Filter restaurant results based on your preferences
• Display restaurant information (photos, ratings, hours, contact details)
• Generate directions to selected restaurants via Google Maps

2.2 To Improve Our Service

• Analyze usage patterns to identify bugs and performance issues
• Understand which features are most popular with users
• Optimize search algorithms and filter functionality
• Enhance user interface and experience

2.3 To Ensure Security

• Prevent abuse, spam, and malicious activity
• Enforce rate limits (100 requests per 15 minutes per IP address)
• Protect our infrastructure and other users
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate ChooseMy.Food:

3.1 Google Places API

We use Google Places API to search for and retrieve restaurant information. When you use our Service:

• Your location data is sent to Google's servers to find nearby restaurants
• Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply to this data
• We act as an intermediary and do not store restaurant data on our servers

3.2 Google Maps

When you click "Get Directions," you are redirected to Google Maps:

• Google Maps' privacy policy and terms apply once you leave our site
• We do not control or track your activity on Google Maps

3.3 Microsoft Azure

Our Service is hosted on Microsoft Azure:

• Azure provides infrastructure and security for our backend API
• Azure's Privacy Statement applies to server logs and infrastructure data
• We use Azure's security features to protect your data in transit

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 What Cookies We Use

We use minimal cookies for essential functionality:

• Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser, used to maintain your filter preferences during your session
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Service (if analytics are enabled)

4.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings:

• Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies
• Blocking essential cookies may prevent the Service from functioning properly
• Visit www.allaboutcookies.org for detailed instructions

5. Data Retention and Storage

5.1 How Long We Keep Your Data

• Location Data: Not stored after your session ends; sent directly to Google Places API
• Filter Preferences: Stored only in your browser's session storage; cleared when you close the tab
• Technical Logs: Server logs are retained for 30 days for security and debugging purposes
• IP Address: Stored temporarily for rate limiting; automatically deleted after 24 hours

5.2 Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• HTTPS Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted
• API Security: Our Google Places API key is stored securely on our backend and never exposed to browsers
• Security Headers: We use Helmet.js to set security headers (CSP, X-Frame-Options, etc.)
• Rate Limiting: Prevents abuse and ensures fair usage for all users
• Regular Updates: We keep our dependencies and infrastructure up to date

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Your Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Location Permissions: You can deny location access; use manual location entry instead
• Browser Data: Clear your browser's cookies and session storage at any time
• Stop Using Service: Simply close the website to stop all data collection

6.2 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out of the sale of personal information (Note: We do NOT sell personal information)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

6.3 European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Rectify inaccurate personal data
• Erase your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restrict processing of your personal data
• Data portability
• Object to processing

7. Children's Privacy

ChooseMy.Food is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

8. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers have "Do Not Track" (DNT) features that signal websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no industry standard for DNT signals. At this time, our Service does not respond to DNT signals, but we only collect minimal data as described in this policy.

9. International Users

ChooseMy.Food is operated from the United States. If you are accessing our Service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using our Service, you consent to this transfer.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Significant changes will be communicated prominently on our homepage
• Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

11. Links to Other Websites

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites (restaurant websites, Google Maps, etc.). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Contact Us

13. Your Consent

By using ChooseMy.Food, you consent to this Privacy Policy and our collection, use, and sharing of your information as described herein.

---

Summary: We collect minimal data (location, preferences, basic technical info) to help you find restaurants. We don't store your location after your session, don't require accounts, and don't sell your data. We use Google Places API and are hosted on Azure. You can stop data collection at any time by closing the website.

← Back to Home