Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [Insert Date - e.g., October 26, 2023]

VNC AI Solutions ("we," "us," or "our") operates the FoodMapAI mobile application, Chrome Extension, and website (collectively, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data when you use our Service and the choices you have associated with that data.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordanceance with this policy.

Information Collection and Use

We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you.

Types of Data Collected

• Food Query Data: When you search for a food item by text, we process the text query to provide FODMAP and nutritional information.
• Image Data: When you use the camera or upload a photo (of food items or menus), we process the image data (including the image file and potentially its metadata) to identify food items and provide FODMAP and nutritional analysis. Images are sent to third-party services (like OpenAI) for analysis. We do not store the images long-term on our primary servers after analysis, although they may be processed and temporarily stored by our AI service providers according to their policies.
• Waitlist Information: If you join our waitlist via the website, we collect your email address through Formspree to notify you when the app is available. Formspree has its own privacy policy governing this data.
• Usage Data (App & Website): We may collect information on how the Service is accessed and used ("Usage Data"). This Usage Data may include information such as your device's Internet Protocol address (e.g., IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers, search history within the app (stored locally using AsyncStorage), and other diagnostic data. We use tools like Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics on our website to collect this data.
• Chrome Extension Data: The Chrome Extension analyzes text you select on webpages. This selected text is processed to identify food items but is not stored by us after processing. The extension may also collect Usage Data similar to the app and website.

Use of Data

FoodMapAI uses the collected data for various purposes:

• To provide and maintain the Service (FODMAP analysis, menu scanning).
• To improve the accuracy of our food database and AI models.
• To monitor the usage of the Service.
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues.
• To provide analysis or valuable information so that we can improve the Service.
• To notify you about app availability (if you joined the waitlist).

Third-Party Service Providers

We employ third-party companies and individuals to facilitate our Service ("Service Providers"), provide the Service on our behalf, perform Service-related services, or assist us in analyzing how our Service is used.

These third parties have access to your data only to perform these tasks on our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

• OpenAI: Used for analyzing text queries and image data to determine FODMAP content, nutritional information, and identify food items. OpenAI has its own privacy policies regarding data usage.
• Firebase (Google Cloud): Used for backend database storage (food information) and potentially other backend services. Google's privacy policies apply.
• Formspree: Used to collect email addresses for the waitlist on our website. See Formspree's privacy policy.
• Google Analytics / Google Tag Manager: Used on our website to track usage and performance. See Google's privacy policy.
• Expo Application Services (EAS): Used for building and potentially distributing the mobile application. See Expo's privacy policy.
• App Store / Google Play Store: Distribution platforms for the mobile app, subject to their respective privacy policies.

Data Security

The security of your data is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Camera and Photo Library Access (Mobile App)

Our mobile application requires access to your device's camera and photo library to enable the food and menu scanning features. We only access the camera when you initiate the capture function and only access the photo library when you choose to upload an image. Images are processed as described under "Image Data" above.

Children's Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13 ("Children"). We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your Child has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from children without verification of parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

We will let you know via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

• By email: vncaisolutions@gmail.com