Last updated: December 28, 2024

At ViralCarrot ("we," "our," or "us"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our recipe discovery platform at viralcarrot.com (the "Service").

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password
• Recipe Submissions: When you submit recipes, we collect the recipe details, ingredients, instructions, and any images you upload
• Profile Information: Optional information such as dietary preferences, cooking skill level, and cuisine preferences
• Communication Data: Information you provide when contacting us for support or feedback

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

• Usage Data: Information about how you use our Service, including pages visited, time spent, and features used
• Device Information: Information about your device, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities
• Log Data: Server logs including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide, maintain, and improve our Service
• To process your recipe submissions and display them to other users
• To personalize your experience and recommend relevant recipes
• To communicate with you about updates, features, and support
• To analyze usage patterns and improve our Service
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms

3. Google AdSense and Advertising

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our Service. Google AdSense uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Serve personalized advertisements based on your interests and browsing behavior
• Measure ad performance and effectiveness
• Prevent fraud and ensure ad quality
• Collect aggregated analytics data

Google AdSense Data Collection: Google may collect and process information about your visits to our site and other sites on the Internet. This information may include your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and interactions with ads. Google uses this information to provide relevant advertisements and improve ad targeting.

4. EU User Consent Policy Compliance

In compliance with Google's EU User Consent Policy, we obtain consent from users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and Switzerland for:

• Use of cookies and local storage
• Collection, sharing, and use of personal data for personalization of ads
• Processing of personal data for advertising purposes

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or by adjusting your browser settings.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Google AdSense: We share data with Google for advertising purposes as described in their privacy policy
• With Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us operate our Service (hosting, analytics, etc.)
• For Legal Reasons: When required by law or to protect our rights and safety
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly consent to sharing your information
• In Business Transfers: In connection with mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Opt-out: Opt out of certain data processing activities
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where applicable

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the Service to function properly
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our Service
• Advertising Cookies: Used by Google AdSense to serve relevant advertisements
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

9. Third-Party Services

Our Service integrates with the following third-party services:

• Google AdSense: For advertising services and revenue generation
• Google Analytics: For website analytics and performance monitoring
• Unsplash API: For recipe images and visual content
• External Recipe APIs: For recipe data from third-party sources

10. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

12. Children's Privacy

Our Service 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.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at: