Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 5, 2026
Last Updated: May 5, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Caretrace LLC ("Caretrace," "we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you use TasteTrek (the "App," "Service," or "TasteTrek"), a product of Caretrace LLC, including our mobile applications, website, and related services.

By creating an account, downloading, or using TasteTrek, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

1. Who We Are

TasteTrek is a marketplace that connects home cooks with people who want to discover and enjoy homemade meals in their local community. The Service is owned and operated by Caretrace LLC.

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at support@tastetrek.net.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Account information: When you sign in (including via Google Sign-In), we receive your name, email address, profile photo, and a unique identifier from your authentication provider.
• Profile information: Display name, bio, profile photo, and—if you sell on TasteTrek—business or kitchen details you choose to share.
• Listings & content: Meal photos, descriptions, ingredients, dietary tags, pricing, portion availability, pickup details, and any other content you upload as a cook.
• Orders & communications: Order history, scheduled pickup times, special instructions, ratings, reviews, and messages exchanged through the Service.
• Newsletter sign-ups: If you submit your email through our website, we store it to send you updates and announcements.
• Support requests: Information you share when you contact us, including the content of your message and any attachments.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device & usage data: Device model, operating system, app version, language, time zone, crash reports, and interactions with the App (screens viewed, features used).
• Location data: With your permission, we use your device's location to show you meals available near you, calculate distances, and surface relevant cooks. You can disable location access at any time in your device settings; some features may not work without it.
• Identifiers: Device identifiers and Firebase installation IDs used to deliver and improve the Service.
• Cookies and similar technologies: Our website may use cookies and local storage to remember your preferences and measure traffic.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Authentication providers: When you sign in with Google, Google shares your basic profile information (name, email, profile picture) with us, subject to your Google account permissions.
• Analytics & crash reporting: Firebase (a Google service) provides us with aggregated analytics and crash diagnostics about App usage.

2.4 Payments

TasteTrek does not currently process card payments through the App. Any transactions between buyers and cooks that occur outside our platform are between those parties. If we add in-app payment functionality in the future, this Privacy Policy will be updated to describe how that data is handled, and we will notify users of material changes.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the Service, including showing nearby meals, processing orders, and facilitating communication between buyers and cooks.
• Authenticate your account and keep it secure.
• Personalize your experience (e.g., recommendations based on cuisine, dietary preferences, and location).
• Send transactional messages such as order confirmations, pickup reminders, and important account notices.
• Send marketing communications, where you have opted in or where permitted by law. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraud, abuse, security incidents, and policy violations.
• Improve the App, including measuring feature performance and diagnosing crashes through Firebase.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as described below:

• Between users: When you place an order, the cook sees information needed to fulfill it (such as your display name, order details, and pickup time). When you list a meal, your profile and listing details are visible to other users.
• Service providers: We share information with vendors that help us run the Service, including Google Firebase (analytics, crash reporting, push notifications, authentication) and Cloudflare (hosting, content delivery, edge storage). These providers process information only on our behalf and under contractual obligations.
• Legal & safety: We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Caretrace, our users, or the public.
• Business transfers: If Caretrace is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any change in ownership or use of your personal information.
• With your consent: We may share information for any other purpose disclosed to you and with your consent.

5. Third-Party Services

The App integrates with the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy governing the data it processes:

• Google Sign-In — authentication. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Firebase — analytics, crash reporting, push notifications, and related services. See Firebase Privacy and Security.
• Cloudflare — website hosting and edge infrastructure. See Cloudflare's Privacy Policy.
• Mapping providers — used to render the discovery map. Map tile and geocoding providers may receive approximate location data necessary to render the map.

6. Data Retention

We keep personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. We retain certain information after account closure when necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, prevent fraud, and enforce our agreements. Newsletter email addresses are retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion. Crash and analytics data is retained according to Firebase's standard retention windows.

7. Data Security

We use industry-standard administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS) and access controls on our backend. No security measure is perfect, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the following rights:

• Access & portability: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete.
• Deletion: Ask us to delete your account and personal information, subject to limited exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).
• Objection & restriction: Object to or restrict certain processing of your information.
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time.
• Marketing opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in the email or by contacting us.
• Location & notifications: Manage location and push-notification permissions from your device's settings.

To exercise any of these rights, email support@tastetrek.net. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

9. Children's Privacy

TasteTrek is not intended for users under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at support@tastetrek.net and we will take steps to delete it.

10. International Data Transfers

Caretrace LLC is based in the United States, and our service providers may process information in the United States or other countries. By using TasteTrek, you understand that your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in countries whose data protection laws differ from those of your country. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion, correct inaccurate information, opt out of "sales" or "sharing" of personal information, and limit the use of "sensitive personal information." We do not sell your personal information for monetary value. To exercise these rights, contact us at support@tastetrek.net.

12. European Economic Area, UK, and Switzerland

If you are in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, the legal bases on which we rely to process your personal information include performance of a contract (to operate the Service), our legitimate interests (improving the Service, preventing fraud), your consent (where required, e.g., marketing or precise location), and compliance with legal obligations.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App, by email, or by other appropriate means before the changes take effect. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page indicates when the latest version was published.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact:

Caretrace LLC
Email: support@tastetrek.net