Privacy Policy

We maintain an unwavering dedication to protecting and preserving all personal data provided by our website visitors and service users, implementing robust and comprehensive security measures throughout our services and operations.

This policy applies where we are acting as a data controller with respect to the personal data of our website visitors and service users; in other words, where we determine the purposes and means of the processing of that personal data. In this role, we are responsible for ensuring the proper handling, processing, and protection of all personal data submitted through our website.

We may process usage data (“usage data”), which comprehensively includes browser type, operating system, page views, navigation paths, timing and duration of visits, click patterns, device identifiers, and interaction metrics. This information is collected through server logs, cookies, and analytics tools and may include recipe page views, cooking time spent on tutorials, and dietary preference selections. The source of this data is our analytics software and server monitoring systems. We process this information for several important purposes, including improving website performance, enhancing user experience, analyzing content popularity, and optimizing recipe recommendations, which enables us to personalize content delivery, improve navigation, and enhance recipe suggestions. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests in monitoring and improving our website and services.

We may process account data (“account data”), which comprehensively includes name, email address, password hash, account preferences, notification settings, and subscription status. This information is collected through registration forms, account settings, and user preferences and may include newsletter preferences, saved recipes, and meal planning selections. The source of this data is direct user input during account creation and management. We process this information for account administration, service delivery, communication purposes, and personalized content delivery, which enables us to provide secure access, maintain user preferences, and deliver relevant content. The legal basis for this processing is the performance of a contract and our legitimate interests in providing our services effectively.

We may process profile data (“profile data”), which comprehensively includes dietary preferences, cooking skill level, favorite cuisines, allergies, and kitchen equipment. This information is collected through profile creation forms, preference surveys, and user interactions and may include cooking experience declarations, cuisine preferences, and dietary restrictions. The source of this data is user-provided information and interaction patterns. We process this information for personalizing content recommendations, tailoring recipe suggestions, community features, and content curation, which enables us to deliver relevant recipes, appropriate difficulty levels, and safe dietary options. The legal basis for this processing is consent and our legitimate interests in providing personalized services.

You have the right to access your personal data, which means you can request and receive a comprehensive copy of all personal information we hold about you. This includes the ability to view your stored preferences, review your interaction history, and confirm what data categories we maintain. To exercise this right, you can submit a formal request through our dedicated data access portal or contact our privacy team directly at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days and may require government-issued identification, proof of address, and account verification to verify your identity.

You have the right to rectification, which means you can request corrections or updates to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we maintain about you. This includes the ability to update contact information, modify dietary preferences, and correct profile details. To exercise this right, you can use our account settings panel or submit a formal correction request through our support system. We will process your request within 15 days and may require account password confirmation, email verification, and specific detail validation to verify your identity.

You have the right to erasure, which means you can request the deletion of your personal data when it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. This includes the ability to delete your account, remove saved preferences, and erase interaction history. To exercise this right, you can use our account deletion tool or submit a formal erasure request through our privacy portal. We will process your request within 30 days and may require password confirmation, email verification, and written confirmation to verify your identity.

You have the right to restrict processing, which means you can limit how we use your personal data while maintaining its storage. This includes the ability to pause personalization features, limit data collection, and temporarily suspend processing. To exercise this right, you can adjust your privacy settings or submit a formal restriction request through our data management portal. We will respond within 15 days and may require account verification, identity confirmation, and processing preference specification to verify your identity.

You have the right to data portability, which means you can receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used format and transmit it to another service provider. This includes the ability to export your recipe collections, download your preference settings, and transfer your profile data. To exercise this right, you can use our data export tool or submit a formal portability request through our privacy center. We will process your request within 30 days and may require two-factor authentication, account ownership verification, and format specification to verify your identity.Data Processing and Security Measures

At AppetiteJourney.com, we carefully manage various types of personal data to provide you with the best possible culinary experience:

We process Service Data which includes account details, profile information, and dietary preferences. This processing involves secure storage and analysis, enabling us to personalize your culinary journey. For example, in the context of food, this includes storing your favorite recipes, meal plans, and cooking preferences. The legal basis for this processing is legitimate interest and contractual necessity, specifically to deliver personalized content and recommendations.

We process Technical Data which includes browser information, device details, and interaction patterns. This processing involves automated collection and analysis, enabling us to optimize site performance and user experience. For example, in the context of food, this includes tracking recipe viewing patterns and cooking timer usage. The legal basis for this processing is legitimate interest, specifically to improve website functionality and user engagement.

We process Communication Data which includes messages, feedback, and support inquiries. This processing involves secure storage and response management, enabling us to provide efficient customer service. For example, in the context of food, this includes recipe questions and cooking technique inquiries. The legal basis for this processing is legitimate interest and consent, specifically to address user needs and maintain quality communication.

We process Transaction Data which includes purchase history, subscription details, and payment information. This processing involves secure payment processing and order management, enabling us to fulfill services and maintain records. For example, in the context of food, this includes cookbook purchases and meal plan subscriptions. The legal basis for this processing is contractual necessity and legal obligation, specifically to complete transactions and maintain financial records.

We process Preference Data which includes cuisine choices, dietary restrictions, and content preferences. This processing involves preference analysis and content customization, enabling us to deliver relevant content. For example, in the context of food, this includes vegetarian recipe filtering and regional cuisine recommendations. The legal basis for this processing is legitimate interest and consent, specifically to provide personalized content experiences.

Security Measures

Our commitment to protecting your data includes:

Our comprehensive encryption protocols ensure end-to-end protection of your data, incorporating industry-standard algorithms and regular security updates to maintain data integrity. This includes regular security assessments and penetration testing by qualified professionals.

We implement multi-layered security infrastructure, including advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems that continuously monitor for and prevent unauthorized access attempts. This infrastructure undergoes regular updates and enhancements.

Access to personal data is strictly controlled through role-based permissions, multi-factor authentication, and detailed access logs. We maintain comprehensive audit trails of all data access and modifications.

Our continuous monitoring systems provide real-time threat detection and automated response protocols, ensuring immediate action against potential security threats.

We maintain comprehensive backup procedures with encrypted offsite storage and regular recovery testing, ensuring data availability and integrity.

All staff undergo regular security awareness training and must comply with detailed data protection protocols, including specific training for handling sensitive food preference and dietary requirement data.

International Data Transfers

We may transfer your personal data to countries outside your jurisdiction. These transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses, Privacy Shield certification, and Binding Corporate Rules. Each international transfer is conducted under strict protocols that ensure:
– Adequate data protection standards
– Compliant processing procedures
– Enforceable data subject rights
– Effective legal remedies

International transfers are protected by ISO 27001 standards, GDPR requirements, and CCPA guidelines, ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations. We implement additional measures including:
– Regular compliance audits
– Data protection impact assessments
– Documented transfer mechanisms
– Continuous monitoring procedures

Regarding international transfers, you maintain specific rights including:
– Right to information about transfers
– Right to object to transfers
– Right to withdraw consent
– Right to data protection guarantees

Data Retention

We maintain specific retention periods for different data categories:

Account Information: Retained for the duration of active account plus 2 years for account recovery and legal compliance
Usage Data: Retained for 12 months to analyze usage patterns and improve services
Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with tax and financial regulations
Communication History: Retained for 3 years to maintain service quality and resolve disputes
Technical Logs: Retained for 6 months for security and performance optimization

These retention periods are determined by:
– Legal requirements
– Business purposes
– Technical necessities
– User preferences

Special circumstances affecting retention:
– Legal obligations
– Dispute resolution
– Security investigationsCookie Policy for AppetiteJourney.com

Essential cookies are fundamental to website functionality. These cookies manage user sessions, maintain security protocols, and ensure basic site operations. We use them specifically for user authentication during recipe submissions, maintaining secure shopping cart sessions for cookbook purchases, implementing critical security measures, managing basic site operations, and ensuring technical stability across our recipe database and user forums.

Essential Cookies: These cookies serve essential functions for basic website operation. They process login credentials and session data to enable secure access to personalized recipe collections. For example, in our food context, these cookies remember your saved recipes and dietary preferences while browsing.

Functional Cookies: These cookies enhance your experience by remembering your preferences. They enable language selection for international recipes, region-specific ingredient measurements, user interface customization for meal planning features, recipe collection organization, and personalized dietary settings. For example, they remember whether you prefer metric or imperial measurements in recipes.

Analytics Cookies: These cookies help us understand user behavior by collecting information about recipe page interactions, cuisine browsing patterns, cooking feature usage, average recipe reading duration, and saved recipe preferences. This helps us understand which recipes and cooking guides are most valuable to our community.

Performance Cookies: These cookies assess and improve website operation by monitoring recipe page loading speeds, identifying technical issues in our meal planning tools, optimizing recipe image delivery, analyzing user experience with our cooking tutorials, and tracking system performance during peak cooking hours.

Cookie Management

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings, our cookie consent tool, privacy preferences center, and account settings. We respect your right to modify these settings at any time.

GDPR Compliance

For EU residents, we ensure explicit consent mechanisms before processing any data, minimize data collection to essential information, limit data use to stated purposes, implement strict storage limitations, and maintain processing transparency for all food-related services.

CCPA Compliance

California residents have additional rights, including knowing about personal information collected through recipe interactions, deleting personal data including saved recipes, opting out of data sales, receiving equal service regardless of privacy choices, and accessing information collected through their cooking journey.

COPPA Compliance

Regarding users under 13, we implement strict age verification requirements, require parental consent for participation in cooking communities, limit data collection to essential information, maintain special protection measures for young users, and ensure parental access rights to their child’s activity.

Updates and Changes

Policy updates involve regular review procedures of our privacy practices, user notifications about significant changes, consent renewal when required by law, clear documentation of modifications, and continuous compliance monitoring with food industry standards.

Contact Information

For privacy-related inquiries:
Primary Contact: [email protected]
Response Time: Within 48 hours
Verification Required: For data-related requests
Available Support: Privacy concerns, data requests, rights exercise

This policy was created specifically for appetitejourney.com and covers all associated services within the food industry.