Privacy Policy

LocalMealPrep.com ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services (collectively, the "Service").

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when using our Service:

For Business Listings:

• Business name, address, city, state, zip code
• Contact information (email, phone number, website)
• Business description, tagline, and service details
• Service area information (radius, zip codes, states served)
• Delivery and shipping options
• Meal types and dietary categories offered
• Images, logos, and other media you upload
• Account credentials (email, password)

For User Accounts:

• Name and contact information
• Email address and password
• Profile information
• Communication preferences

For Payments:

• Payment information is processed through Stripe
• Billing address and payment history

For Communications:

• Messages sent through our contact forms
• Feedback and support requests
• Newsletter subscriptions (if applicable)

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our Service, we automatically collect certain information:

Usage Data:

• Pages visited and features used
• Time spent on pages
• Click patterns and navigation paths
• Search queries and filters used
• Date and time of visits

Device Information:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Device type (mobile, tablet, desktop)
• Screen resolution

Location Data:

• Approximate location based on IP address
• Precise location (if you grant permission for geolocation features)
• Location data is used to help you find nearby services and improve search results

Cookies and Tracking Technologies:

• We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience
• Cookies help us remember your preferences and improve site functionality
• You can control cookies through your browser settings

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third-party services:

• Stripe: Payment processing information (transaction details, payment methods)
• Mapbox: Location and mapping data for geocoding and map features
• ImageKit: Image delivery and optimization data
• CloudFlare: Security and performance analytics

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Provision

• To provide and maintain our Service: Display business listings, facilitate connections between consumers and businesses, process payments, and deliver content
• To create and manage accounts: Set up user accounts, authenticate users, and manage account settings
• To process listings: Review, approve, and publish business listings submitted to our directory
• To facilitate communications: Enable contact between consumers and businesses, send notifications about listings, and provide customer support

2.2 Service Improvement

• To improve our Service: Analyze usage patterns, identify popular features, and enhance user experience
• To personalize content: Show relevant listings based on location, preferences, and search history
• To develop new features: Use analytics to inform product development and feature enhancements

2.3 Business Operations

• To process payments: Handle transactions for premium features and paid add-ons through Stripe
• To send administrative communications: Notify users about account changes, listing approvals, policy updates, and important service announcements
• To prevent fraud and abuse: Detect and prevent fraudulent activity, spam, and unauthorized access
• To comply with legal obligations: Meet legal requirements, respond to legal requests, and protect our rights

2.4 Partner Services

We may share information with partners who help us operate the Service and fulfill its purposes, such as:

• Payment processors (Stripe) for transaction processing
• Mapping services (Mapbox) for location-based features
• Content delivery networks (ImageKit, CloudFlare) for service delivery
• Analytics providers for service improvement

Important: We only share information with partners necessary to provide and improve the Service. We do not sell your personal information to data brokers or third parties for their marketing purposes.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

3.1 Public Information

The following information is publicly visible on our Service:

• Business listings (name, address, description, contact information, service details)
• Public profile information (if applicable)
• Reviews or ratings (if applicable in the future)

3.2 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Payment Processing: Stripe processes payments and handles financial transactions
• Mapping Services: Mapbox provides geocoding, mapping, and location services
• Media Delivery: ImageKit delivers and optimizes images
• Hosting and Infrastructure: CloudFlare and zCloud provide hosting, CDN, and security services
• Analytics: Service providers help us analyze usage and improve the Service

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• Government requests or regulatory requirements
• Protection of our rights, property, or safety
• Protection of users' rights, property, or safety
• Investigation of potential violations of our Terms of Service

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with your explicit consent or at your direction.

4. What We Do NOT Do

4.1 No Sale to Data Brokers

We do NOT sell your personal information to data brokers, data aggregators, or third parties for their marketing purposes. Your data is used solely for:

• Operating and improving our Service
• Fulfilling the purposes described in this Privacy Policy
• Supporting our partners who help us provide the Service (as described above)

4.2 No Unauthorized Sharing

We do not share your personal information except as described in this Privacy Policy or with your explicit consent.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: We use encryption for data in transit and at rest
• Access Controls: We limit access to personal information to authorized personnel only
• Security Monitoring: We monitor for security threats and vulnerabilities
• Regular Updates: We keep our systems and software updated with security patches
• Secure Payment Processing: Payment information is handled by Stripe, which complies with PCI DSS standards

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights and Choices

6.1 Access and Correction

• You can access and update your account information through your account settings
• You can request corrections to your business listing information
• You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you

6.2 Account Deletion

• You can request deletion of your account and associated data
• Some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes
• Public information may remain visible if it has been indexed by search engines

6.3 Communication Preferences

• You can opt out of marketing communications by following unsubscribe instructions
• You can adjust notification preferences in your account settings
• Administrative communications related to your account or the Service may still be sent

6.4 Location Data

• You can disable location services through your device settings
• You can use the Service without enabling precise location tracking
• IP-based approximate location may still be used for basic functionality

6.5 Cookies

• You can control cookies through your browser settings
• Disabling cookies may limit some features of the Service
• Essential cookies are necessary for basic Service functionality

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

8. International Users

Our Service is primarily designed for users in the United States. If you are accessing our Service from outside the United States:

• Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States
• Data protection laws in your country may differ from U.S. laws
• By using our Service, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States

9. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
• Right to Opt-Out: You can opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

10. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain business records for legitimate purposes

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will:

• Post the updated Privacy Policy on this page
• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top
• Notify you of material changes via email or through the Service
• Obtain your consent if required by applicable law

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

14. Specific Service Features

14.1 Business Listings

• Business information you submit is displayed publicly on our Service
• You can edit or remove your listing at any time through your account
• We may retain historical information for record-keeping purposes

14.2 Payment Information

• Payment processing is handled by Stripe
• We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers
• Stripe's privacy policy governs payment data: https://stripe.com/privacy

14.3 Location Services

• Location data helps us show you nearby services and improve search results
• Precise location is only used with your explicit permission
• You can disable location services at any time

14.4 Analytics and Tracking

• We use analytics to understand how users interact with our Service
• This helps us improve functionality and user experience
• Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized where possible