Minichef Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 21, 2025
Last Updated: September 21, 2025
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy describes how Bryan Huang (“we,” “us,” or “our”), located in New York, NY, collects, uses, stores, and shares information when you use our mobile application Minichef (“App”). By using Minichef, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: support@minichef.me
- Optional Sign-In Data: If you choose to create an account, you may sign in using Google or Apple. We receive your name, email address, and profile identifier from these providers.
- Account Preferences: Username, display name, and communication preferences you set within the App.
You may optionally provide:
- Dietary restrictions and allergies
- Nutritional goals and preferences
- Cooking skill level and cuisine preferences
- Household size and meal planning preferences
- Subscription status and tier
- Purchase history and transaction IDs
- Payment processing is handled entirely by Apple App Store or Google Play Store. We do not collect or store credit card numbers or other financial account information.
- Error logs for troubleshooting purposes only
- Basic app usage data (features accessed, app crashes)
- We do NOT collect: analytics data, advertising identifiers, device fingerprints, or tracking information
2.5 User-Generated Content
- Recipes you create, save, or share
- Recipe ratings and reviews
- Meal plans and shopping lists
- Images you upload to the App
We use the collected information to:
3.1 Provide Core Services
- Deliver personalized recipe recommendations
- Generate AI-powered recipes based on your preferences
- Create customized meal plans and shopping lists
- Process and manage your subscription
3.2 Improve User Experience
- Personalize content based on dietary restrictions and allergies
- Remember your preferences and settings
- Provide customer support
- Fix technical issues and improve App performance
3.3 AI Processing
- Send your recipe requests, uploaded images, and preference data to OpenAI’s API for recipe generation
- Process natural language queries about cooking and recipes
- Generate nutritional information and cooking instructions
4. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
4.1 AI Service Usage
Minichef uses third-party artificial intelligence services, primarily OpenAI, to:
- Generate recipe suggestions and instructions
- Analyze food images
- Answer cooking-related questions
- Create meal plans
4.2 Important AI Limitations
WARNING: All AI-generated content, including recipes, nutritional information, and cooking advice:
- May contain errors, inaccuracies, or inconsistencies
- Should not be relied upon for critical health or allergy decisions
- Is provided “as-is” without any guarantee of accuracy
- Should be independently verified, especially for allergen information
4.3 Liability Disclaimer
Bryan Huang expressly disclaims all liability for any harm, injury, or damages resulting from reliance on AI-generated content. Users assume all risks associated with using AI-generated recipes and information.
5. Data Storage and Retention
5.1 Storage Locations
Your data is stored using the following services, all located in the United States:
- Supabase: User accounts and preferences
- Firebase: Authentication and real-time data
- Cloudflare R2: Images and media files
5.2 Data Retention
- Active account data is retained as long as your account remains active
- Deleted account data is permanently removed within 30 days
- Error logs are automatically deleted after 90 days
- Cached AI responses may be retained for up to 30 days
5.3 Account Deletion
- You can delete your account at any time through the App settings
- Account deletion is PERMANENT and NON-REVERSIBLE
- All your data, including recipes, preferences, and subscription history, will be permanently deleted
- We cannot recover deleted accounts or data
6.1 Service Providers
We share information with:
- Cloud Infrastructure Providers: Supabase, Firebase, Cloudflare R2 for data storage
- Authentication Providers: Google and Apple for sign-in services
- AI Service Providers: OpenAI for recipe generation and content processing
- Payment Processors: Apple and Google for subscription management (they handle all payment data directly)
6.2 What We Don’t Do
We do NOT:
- Sell, rent, or trade your personal information
- Share data with advertisers or data brokers
- Use your information for marketing unrelated to Minichef
- Share your health or dietary information except as necessary to provide services
6.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information if required to:
- Comply with legal obligations or court orders
- Protect our rights, property, or safety
- Prevent fraud or security issues
- Enforce our Terms and Conditions
7. Your Rights and Choices
7.1 GDPR Rights (European Union and United Kingdom)
If you are in the EU or UK, you have the right to:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate personal data
- Erasure: Delete your personal data (“right to be forgotten”)
- Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
- Object: Object to certain processing activities
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data
- Complaint: Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority
7.2 CCPA/CPRA Rights (California)
California residents have the right to:
- Know: What personal information we collect, use, and share
- Delete: Request deletion of personal information
- Opt-Out: Opt-out of sale of personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
- Non-Discrimination: Equal service regardless of exercising privacy rights
- Correct: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Limit: Limit use of sensitive personal information
7.3 Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights:
- Email us at support@minichef.me
- Use the in-app privacy settings
- We will respond within 30 days (45 days for complex requests)
8. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)
8.1 Users Under 13
Minichef permits users under 13 years old to use the App with the following conditions:
- Parental Consent Required: Children under 13 must have verifiable parental consent before creating an account
- Parental Controls: Parents can review, modify, or delete their child’s information
- Limited Collection: We only collect minimal information necessary for App functionality
8.2 Parental Rights
Parents or guardians may:
- Review information collected from their child
- Request deletion of their child’s information
- Refuse further collection of their child’s information
- Contact us at support@minichef.me with proof of parental relationship
8.3 Verification Process
We verify parental consent through:
- Email confirmation to parent’s email address
- Consent form submission
- Other methods compliant with COPPA requirements
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Secure authentication protocols
- Regular security audits
- Limited access controls
- Secure API communications
However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. International Data Transfers
Minichef is operated from the United States. If you use the App from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from your jurisdiction.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Posting a prominent notice in the App
- Sending an email notification (if you’ve provided an email)
- Updating the “Last Updated” date
Continued use of Minichef after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
For privacy-related questions, concerns, or requests, please contact:
Email: support@minichef.me
For COPPA-related inquiries or parental rights requests, please include “COPPA Request” in your email subject line.