Privacy Policy

# Privacy Policy for SoonGon

**Effective Date: January 5, 2026**
**Last Updated: January 5, 2026**

## 1. Introduction

Welcome to SoonGon ("we," "our," or "us"). Your privacy is critically important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how SoonGon collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our Smart Pantry AI mobile application ("App").

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

## App Store purchases and billing

**All billing, subscriptions, and refunds are handled by Apple in accordance with Apple’s App Store policies.** In-app purchases and subscriptions are processed through Apple’s In-App Purchase system using your Apple ID. SoonGon does not receive, store, or have access to your full payment card or bank account details. Payment-related questions are generally resolved through Apple’s tools (e.g. Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions, reportaproblem.apple.com, or your Apple receipt).

## 2. Information We Collect

### 2.1 Personal Information You Provide

**Account Information:**
• Email address (for account creation and login)
• Full name (optional, for personalization)
• Password (encrypted and never stored in plain text)
• Profile photo (optional)

**Payment Information:**
• All payments processed securely through Apple's App Store
• We NEVER store credit card numbers or CVV codes
• Apple handles all sensitive payment data
• Transaction history available in your Apple ID account

### 2.2 Food Inventory Data

**Item Information:**
• Food item names and descriptions
• Categories (Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, etc.)
• Expiration dates
• Purchase dates
• Quantities and measurements
• Storage locations (Fridge, Freezer, Pantry, Counter)
• Custom notes and tags
• Consumption status

**Photos and Media:**
• Photos you take of food items using camera
• Images from your photo library (with permission)
• Photos are processed for AI recognition
• Images stored securely in your account

### 2.3 Automatically Collected Information

**Device Information:**
• Device type and model (e.g., iPhone 15 Pro)
• Operating system version (e.g., iOS 18.0)
• Unique device identifiers
• Mobile network information
• Device settings and preferences

**Usage Data:**
• Features you use and how often
• Time spent in the app
• Navigation paths through the app
• Items you add, edit, or delete
• Notifications you interact with
• Search queries and AI requests

**Location Data:**
• We DO NOT collect precise GPS location
• General region for timezone calculations
• Country/region for currency and language

### 2.4 AI and Machine Learning Data

**Photo Recognition:**
• Images sent to AI for food identification
• Processing happens securely and temporarily
• Images not permanently stored after processing
• AI learns from aggregated, anonymized data

**Recipe Generation:**
• Your available ingredients
• Dietary preferences (if provided)
• Past recipe interactions
• Cooking history and preferences

**Waste Analytics:**
• Items that expired vs. consumed
• Waste reduction patterns
• Cost savings calculations
• Usage statistics

## 3. How We Use Your Information

### 3.1 Core App Functionality

**Food Management:**
• Track and organize your pantry inventory
• Calculate expiration dates and freshness
• Send timely expiration notifications
• Sync data across your devices
• Generate shopping lists

**AI-Powered Features:**
• Identify food items from photos
• Suggest optimal storage methods
• Recommend recipes based on your inventory
• Predict expiration dates for similar items
• Provide waste reduction tips

**Account Management:**
• Create and maintain your account
• Authenticate your identity
• Manage subscription status
• Process premium feature access
• Handle billing and payments

### 3.2 Service Improvement

**App Enhancement:**
• Analyze usage patterns to improve features
• Identify and fix bugs
• Optimize app performance
• Develop new features based on user needs
• A/B test new functionality

**AI Model Training:**
• Improve food recognition accuracy
• Enhance recipe suggestions
• Better expiration predictions
• More relevant waste reduction tips
• Data is anonymized before training

### 3.3 Communication

**Essential Communications:**
• Account-related notifications
• Subscription status updates
• Payment confirmations and receipts
• Security alerts and password resets
• Critical app updates

**Optional Communications:**
• New feature announcements (opt-in)
• Helpful tips and tricks (opt-in)
• Special offers and promotions (opt-in)
• Product surveys (opt-in)
• Newsletter updates (opt-in)

## 4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

### 4.1 We DO NOT Sell Your Data

**Important Promise:**
We have NEVER sold your personal information, and we NEVER will. Your data is not for sale.

### 4.2 Service Providers

We share data with trusted partners who help us operate:

**Firebase (Google Cloud):**
• Authentication and user management
• Cloud data storage and synchronization
• Secure database hosting
• Privacy Policy: firebase.google.com/support/privacy

**Apple App Store:**
• Payment processing and subscription management
• All handled through your Apple ID
• Privacy Policy: apple.com/legal/privacy

**AI Services (Apple Intelligence):**
• On-device processing when possible
• Temporary cloud processing for advanced features
• No permanent storage of your images
• Anonymized data for model improvement

**Analytics (Optional):**
• Aggregated usage statistics
• Crash reporting for app stability
• Performance monitoring
• No personally identifiable information

### 4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when legally required:

• Comply with valid legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect rights, property, or safety of SoonGon, users, or public
• Prevent fraud or security threats
• Respond to government requests

### 4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of merger, acquisition, or sale:
• You'll be notified via email and in-app notice
• Privacy Policy will continue to apply
• You can delete your account before transfer
• New entity must honor these terms

## 5. Data Security

### 5.1 Security Measures

**Encryption:**
• Data encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL)
• Data encrypted at rest
• End-to-end encryption for sensitive data
• Industry-standard security protocols

**Access Controls:**
• Multi-factor authentication available
• Regular security audits
• Limited employee access to data
• Secure development practices

**Infrastructure:**
• Hosted on secure Firebase/Google Cloud
• Regular backups
• Disaster recovery plans
• 24/7 security monitoring

### 5.2 Your Responsibilities

**Account Security:**
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Don't share your account credentials
• Log out on shared devices
• Report suspicious activity immediately

## 6. Data Retention

### 6.1 Active Accounts

**While Your Account is Active:**
• All your food inventory data retained
• Usage history maintained
• Photos stored securely
• Subscription history kept
• Analytics data aggregated monthly

### 6.2 Account Deletion

**When You Delete Your Account:**
• Immediate removal from active systems (24 hours)
• Complete deletion within 30 days
• Backup copies removed within 90 days
• Some anonymized analytics may persist
• Legal/financial records kept per regulations

### 6.3 Inactive Accounts

**After 3 Years of Inactivity:**
• Email reminder sent about account status
• 90-day notice before deletion
• Option to reactivate account
• Automatic deletion after notice period
• Data handling per deletion policy

## 7. Your Privacy Rights

### 7.1 Access and Control

**You Have the Right To:**
• Access all your stored personal data
• Download your complete data (export feature)
• Update or correct your information
• Delete your account and all data
• Withdraw consent for data processing
• Object to certain data uses

**How to Exercise These Rights:**
• In-app: Settings > Privacy > Manage Data
• Email: soongonhelp@gmail.com
• Response within 30 days
• Verification required for security

### 7.2 Communication Preferences

**You Can Control:**
• Push notifications (Settings > Notifications)
• Email communications (unsubscribe links)
• Marketing messages (opt-out anytime)
• App analytics (Settings > Privacy)
• AI features (Settings > AI Features)

### 7.3 Regional Privacy Rights

**California Residents (CCPA):**
• Right to know what data we collect
• Right to delete personal information
• Right to opt-out of data sales (we don't sell)
• Right to non-discrimination
• Toll-free: [to be added]

**European Union Residents (GDPR):**
• Right to access, rectify, erase data
• Right to data portability
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge complaints with authorities

**Other Regions:**
• Rights as applicable under local law
• Contact us for specific inquiries
• We comply with all applicable regulations

## 8. Children's Privacy

**Age Requirement:**
• SoonGon is intended for users 13 and older
• We do NOT knowingly collect data from children under 13
• No targeted marketing to children
• Parental consent required for users under 13

**If We Discover:**
• Immediate deletion of child's data
• Notification to parents/guardians
• Prevention of future access
• Report serious violations to authorities

## 9. International Data Transfers

**Global Operation:**
• Your data may be stored/processed worldwide
• Firebase servers in multiple countries
• Appropriate safeguards for transfers
• Compliance with international privacy laws

**Protections:**
• Standard Contractual Clauses (EU)
• Privacy Shield principles
• Adequate protection measures
• Your consent for transfers

## 10. Cookies and Tracking

**We Use:**
• Essential cookies for functionality
• Analytics cookies (with consent)
• No third-party advertising cookies
• No cross-site tracking

**You Can:**
• Clear cookies in device settings
• Opt out of analytics
• Control tracking through iOS settings
• Block non-essential cookies

## 11. Third-Party Links

**External Links:**
• App may contain links to third-party sites
• We're NOT responsible for their privacy practices
• Review their privacy policies
• Different terms may apply

## 12. Changes to This Policy

**Updates:**
• Policy reviewed and updated regularly
• "Last Updated" date always current
• Material changes communicated via:
  - Email notification
  - In-app announcement
  - 30-day notice period

**Your Consent:**
• Continued use = acceptance of updates
• Can delete account if you disagree
• Previous version available on request

## 13. Contact Us

**Privacy Questions or Concerns:**

**Email:** soongonhelp@gmail.com
**Support:** soongonhelp@gmail.com
**In-App:** Settings > Help & FAQ > Contact Support

**Response Time:**
• General inquiries: 24-48 hours
• Privacy requests: Within 30 days
• Security issues: Immediate (24/7)
• Data deletion: Processed within 48 hours

**Mailing Address:** Contact us at soongonhelp@gmail.com for a current address.

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## Summary of Key Points

✅ **We collect:** Account info, food inventory, usage data, photos
✅ **We use it for:** App functionality, AI features, improvements
✅ **We share with:** Firebase (storage), Apple (payments & AI)
✅ **We DON'T:** Sell your data, share without consent, store payment details
✅ **You control:** Your data, privacy settings, account deletion
✅ **We protect:** Encryption, security measures, regular audits

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**Thank you for trusting SoonGon with your food management needs.**
**Your privacy matters. Questions? We're here to help!** 🌱

**Effective:** January 5, 2026 · soongon.org