Privacy Policy
Effective Date: February 5, 2026
Recipe Cost Estimator is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our service.
1. Information We Collect
Account Information:
When you create an account through Auth0, we collect:
- Email address
- Name
- Profile picture (avatar)
- Authentication credentials (managed securely by Auth0)
Recipe Data:
- Recipe names and descriptions
- Ingredient lists and quantities
- Recipe instructions
- Cost calculations and estimates
- Recipe images (if uploaded)
Location Information:
- Zip code (for regional pricing estimates)
Usage Data:
- Number of estimates generated
- Features used
- Plan type and subscription status
- Date and time of service usage
- Device information and browser type
Payment Information:
Payment processing is handled by Stripe. We do not store your credit card numbers or banking information. We receive only:
- Transaction confirmation
- Subscription status
- Payment method type (e.g., Visa ending in 1234)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide the Service: Generate recipe cost estimates, store your recipes, and deliver AI-powered features
- Account Management: Create and maintain your account, authenticate your identity, and manage your subscription
- Regional Pricing: Use your zip code to provide accurate local pricing estimates
- Improve the Service: Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and user experience
- Customer Support: Respond to your inquiries and provide technical assistance
- Billing: Process payments and manage subscriptions
- Communications: Send service-related notifications, updates, and marketing messages (you can opt out of marketing)
- Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and enforce our Terms of Service
3. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect information:
Auth0 (Authentication):
- Manages user authentication and account security
- Privacy Policy: https://auth0.com/privacy
Stripe (Payment Processing):
- Processes subscription payments and credit purchases
- Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
OpenRouter (AI Processing):
- Provides access to AI models for recipe analysis
- Recipe text is sent to AI models for cost estimation
- Privacy Policy: https://openrouter.ai/privacy
AI Model Providers:
Your recipe data may be processed by third-party AI models accessed through OpenRouter (such as Google Gemini, OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). These providers may use your data according to their own privacy policies. We do not control how these AI providers handle data.
4. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies for:
- Authentication: Auth0 session cookies to keep you logged in
- Preferences: Remember your zip code and display settings
- Analytics: Understand how users interact with our service
You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit functionality.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: With Auth0, Stripe, OpenRouter, and other third-party services necessary to operate the service
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
- Protection: To protect our rights, safety, or property, or that of our users
- With Your Consent: Any other sharing with your explicit permission
6. Data Retention
We retain your information as follows:
- Active Accounts: Data is retained indefinitely while your account is active
- Pay-As-You-Go Users: Data is retained for 1 year from your last credit purchase
- Deleted Accounts: Account data is permanently deleted within 30 days of account deletion
- Legal Requirements: Some data may be retained longer if required by law or to resolve disputes
7. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
- Secure database storage
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security audits
- Secure payment processing through Stripe
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Privacy Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
Export: Download your recipes and data in a portable format
Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails (service emails are required)
Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@recipecostestimator.com.
9. Children's Privacy
Recipe Cost Estimator is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@recipecostestimator.com.
10. International Users
Our service is operated in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect will be transferred to and processed in the United States. By using the service, you consent to this transfer.
11. California Privacy Rights
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- Right to deletion of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@recipecostestimator.com.
12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Right to access your personal data
- Right to rectification of inaccurate data
- Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing
- Right to withdraw consent
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
Our legal basis for processing your data includes:
- Contract: Processing necessary to provide the service
- Legitimate Interest: Service improvement and fraud prevention
- Consent: For marketing communications and optional features
- Legal Obligation: Compliance with applicable laws
13. Do Not Track
Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. Our service does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on the service. Your continued use of the service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:
Email: privacy@recipecostestimator.com
Service Name: Recipe Cost Estimator