Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Kookden collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our food community platform. It covers all data collected through our website, mobile application, and related services (collectively, "Kookden" or the "Service").

At Kookden, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our platform. We designed this Policy to help you understand what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you can manage, export, and delete your information.

2. Types of Data Collected

2.1 Personal Information

We collect the following personal information:

• Account information: email address, name, username, password
• Profile information: profile photo, bio, dietary preferences, cooking skill level
• Contact information: email address and, if provided, phone number
• Social connections: information about your connections with other Kookden users

2.2 Usage Data

We collect information about how you use Kookden, including:

• Recipes you create, save, or share
• Comments and ratings you provide
• Cooking techniques and ingredients you search for
• User interactions and engagement patterns
• Time spent on different features

2.3 Device and Technical Information

When you access Kookden, we automatically collect:

• Device information (type, model, operating system)
• IP address and general location (country/city level)
• Browser type and settings
• App version and system performance data
• Mobile device identifiers (if using our mobile app)

3. How Data is Collected

We collect information in the following ways:

• Direct interactions: Information you provide when creating an account, updating your profile, posting recipes, or communicating with other users
• Automated technologies: Cookies, pixel tags, and similar technologies that collect information about your interactions with our platform
• Third-party sources: If you choose to sign in using a third-party account (like Google or Facebook), we receive information from these services
• Analytics tools: We use analytics providers to help us understand how users interact with our platform

4. Purpose of Data Collection

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Providing the Service: Operating the platform, authenticating users, and delivering personalized content
• Improving Kookden: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance features and develop new ones
• Community Building: Connecting you with other food enthusiasts who share similar interests
• Communication: Sending important updates, notifications about interactions, and responding to your requests
• Marketing: Sending newsletters and information about new features (with your consent)
• Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and security incidents

5. Legal Bases for Processing

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar laws, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: When you explicitly agree to the processing of your data for specific purposes
• Contract: When processing is necessary to fulfill our contractual obligations to you (providing the Service)
• Legitimate Interests: When we have a legitimate business interest in processing your data (such as improving our platform, ensuring security, or marketing our services)
• Legal Obligation: When we need to process your data to comply with a legal requirement

6. Data Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Companies that help us deliver the Service (cloud storage, payment processors, analytics)
• Other Users: Information you choose to make public on the platform (recipes, comments, profile information)
• Legal Requests: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell your personal information to third parties or use it for purposes other than those outlined in this Privacy Policy without your consent.

7. User Rights

Depending on your location, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data
• Restriction: Limit how we use your data
• Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Objection: Object to certain types of processing
• Withdraw Consent: Revoke previously given consent

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in the "Contact Information" section.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide you with the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Specifically:

• Account information is kept as long as your account remains active
• If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days
• Some information may be retained longer for legal, security, or fraud prevention purposes
• Aggregated, anonymized data may be kept indefinitely for analytical purposes

9. Data Security

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

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and testing
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

10. International Transfers

Kookden operates globally, which means your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries outside of your residence. When we transfer personal data from the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland to countries that have not received an adequacy decision, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses to protect your information.

11. Children's Privacy

Kookden is not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to remove such information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting a notice on our website or sending you an email (if we have your contact information) and updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this Policy.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Address: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ
Phone: +44 074 2679 6393

For EU/UK data protection matters, Kookden is the data controller responsible for your personal information.