FoodTrips Privacy Policy

Last Updated: July 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to FoodTrips (“FoodTrips”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).

FoodTrips is a mobile application designed to help users discover, explore, save, and learn about food culture, gastronomy, culinary destinations, restaurants, producers, local products, regional specialties, and food-related experiences.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, process, and protect your information when you use the FoodTrips mobile application, website, services, and related features (collectively, the “Services”).

By creating an account or using FoodTrips, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for processing your personal information is:

Erich Eichstetter Sole Proprietor

Nafarroa Hiribidea, 9 20013 Donostia / San Sebastián Gipuzkoa, Spain

Support Email: erich@potluckfoodtours.com

3. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information.

3.1 Account Information

When you create an account, we may collect:

• Name or username
• Email address
• Password (managed through authentication providers)
• Profile photo
• Authentication identifiers
• User account preferences

Authentication may occur through:

• Email and password
• Sign in with Apple
• Sign in with Google

We do not receive your Apple password or Google password.

3.2 Profile Information

You may voluntarily provide:

• Profile image
• Username
• Biography or profile details
• Country or city information

3.3 User Generated Content

We collect information you voluntarily create within FoodTrips, including:

• Reviews
• Ratings
• Lists
• Saved places
• Saved products
• Saved specialties
• Uploaded photographs
• Comments
• User activity related to FoodTrips features

Content submitted by users may be visible to other users depending on feature settings.

3.4 Location Information

FoodTrips may request access to your device location.

• Location access is optional.
• If permission is granted, FoodTrips may use location information to:
  • Display nearby places
  • Improve local recommendations
  • Improve map functionality
  • Enhance discovery features

We do not intentionally store precise GPS location data beyond what is necessary to provide requested functionality. Location information may be processed temporarily during active use of location-based features.

3.5 Device Information

We may automatically collect:

• Device model
• Operating system
• App version
• Language settings
• Device identifiers
• Crash information
• Diagnostic information

3.6 Analytics Information

We use analytics tools to better understand how users interact with FoodTrips. This may include:

• Screens viewed
• Features used
• Session duration
• Navigation patterns
• Engagement metrics
• General usage statistics

Analytics data is generally aggregated and used to improve the Services.

3.7 Subscription and Purchase Information

FoodTrips offers paid subscriptions through Apple App Store and Google Play.

We may receive information necessary to verify subscription status, including:

• Subscription identifiers
• Subscription status
• Purchase validation data
• Transaction metadata

We do not receive or store your full payment card information. Payments are processed by Apple, Google, and their payment providers.

3.8 Communications

We may send service-related communications including:

• Account verification emails
• Password reset emails
• Security notifications
• Important service updates

We do not currently send marketing newsletters.

4. AI-Generated Content

FoodTrips uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate certain text and images displayed within the app, such as descriptions of places, dishes, regional specialties, or illustrative imagery.

4.1 What This Means for You

Content generated or substantially assisted by AI is presented as informational and illustrative material. It may not always reflect real-time or verified facts about a specific place, dish, or business, and images generated by AI are not photographs of the actual location, product, or establishment unless explicitly stated otherwise.

4.2 Transparency

Where required by applicable law, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, AI-generated or AI-manipulated content within the app is labeled or otherwise identifiable as such.

4.3 Data Used to Generate Content

Where AI-generated content is personalized (for example, based on your saved preferences, searches, or location), we may process limited account or usage data to generate that content.

We do not use AI tools to generate content based on sensitive categories of personal data (such as health, religious beliefs, or biometric data).

4.4 No Automated Decision-Making with Legal Effect

We do not use AI to make automated decisions that produce legal effects or similarly significant effects concerning you (for example, decisions about your access to the Services or account status are not made solely by automated means).

4.5 AI Service Providers

To generate text and images, we may use third-party AI providers under contractual terms that restrict their use of submitted data for purposes beyond providing the service to us. See Section 7 for more on third-party providers.

5. How We Use Information

We use information for purposes including:

• Providing FoodTrips services
• Managing accounts
• Authenticating users
• Displaying user-generated content
• Generating AI-assisted text and images within the app
• Processing subscriptions
• Improving app functionality
• Maintaining platform security
• Detecting fraud or abuse
• Responding to support requests
• Complying with legal obligations
• Developing new features

6. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or similar jurisdictions, we process personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:

• Performance of a contract
• User consent
• Compliance with legal obligations
• Legitimate business interests
• Protection of vital interests

7. Third-Party Services

FoodTrips may use third-party providers including:

Google Firebase Services may include:

• Firebase Authentication
• Firebase Analytics
• Firebase Crashlytics
• Cloud services and infrastructure

Google may process information in accordance with its own privacy policies.

Apple For:

• Sign in with Apple
• Subscription purchases
• App Store services

Google For:

• Google Sign-In
• Google Play services
• Related authentication services

AI Content Providers For:

• Generating text and images displayed within the app

We may add or replace service providers from time to time.

8. Data Sharing

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information:

• With service providers
• With cloud hosting providers
• When required by law
• During business transfers
• To protect legal rights
• To prevent fraud or abuse

Information may also be visible to other users when voluntarily published through reviews, ratings, profile information, or other public features.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored outside your country of residence.

When required by law, we implement safeguards designed to protect personal information transferred internationally.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:

• Provide the Services
• Maintain user accounts
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce agreements

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information.

11. Account Deletion

Users may request deletion of their account. When an account is deleted:

• Personal information may be removed or anonymized
• Certain records may be retained where legally required
• Backup copies may persist temporarily in secure systems

Some information may remain where necessary for fraud prevention, legal compliance, or dispute resolution.

12. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials.

13. Children’s Privacy

FoodTrips is intended for individuals aged 18 years or older.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that personal information from a minor has been collected, we may remove such information and terminate the related account.

14. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights including:

• Access
• Correction
• Deletion
• Restriction of processing
• Objection to processing
• Data portability
• Withdrawal of consent

Requests may be submitted to: erich@potluckfoodtours.com

We may request identity verification before fulfilling requests.

15. California Privacy Rights

Residents of California may have additional privacy rights under applicable California privacy laws.

We do not sell personal information.

Eligible users may submit requests concerning access, deletion, or correction of personal information.

16. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes become effective upon publication of the revised version.

The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page indicates the latest revision date.

Continued use of FoodTrips following updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

17. Contact Us

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy:

Erich Eichstetter Nafarroa Hiribidea, 9 20013 Donostia / San Sebastián Gipuzkoa, Spain

Email: erich@potluckfoodtours.com

FoodTrips Support Team