Your visits and saved plans deserve clear boundaries.

1. Information we collect

Information you provide

If you create an account, we may collect your email address, username, password hash, verification status, and account role. We collect information you choose to submit, including pantry suggestions and corrections, votes, verification reports, saved pantries, planned or completed visits, public or private photos, and messages sent to Helping Plate. Optional contact fields are labeled.

Information created by using the service

We use a first-party session cookie or similar identifier to keep an account signed in and associate private features with the correct user. Vercel Web Analytics provides aggregated usage information such as visited pages, referring sources, device category, and approximate region. We do not use that analytics view to identify an individual visitor.

Search and map requests

Location searches, addresses, or map requests may be sent to the mapping, geocoding, or open-data provider needed to return results. Those providers receive the request and ordinary network information such as an IP address. Avoid entering sensitive personal information into a location search.

2. How we use information

We use information to operate accounts; save plans and preferences; display approved community contributions; process verification signals and corrections; answer messages; prevent abuse; maintain security; understand which public pages are useful; and improve Helping Plate. Private visit dates and private photos are not displayed publicly. Public photos and public contributions are visible as described when submitted.

3. When information is shared

We use service providers to host and operate the website, database, file storage, analytics, maps, address suggestions, and embedded video. This currently includes Vercel and its infrastructure providers, database and storage providers, open mapping/geocoding sources, and YouTube for videos you choose to load or play. These providers process information under their own terms and privacy policies.

We may disclose information when required by law, to protect users or the service, or as part of a merger or transfer of the project. We do not sell personal information. Helping Plate does not currently run third-party display advertising.

4. Your choices and requests

You can choose not to register and still browse public directory and recipe pages. You can keep photos private, omit optional contact information, remove saved items, and sign out. To request access, correction, or deletion of account-related information, use the contact form. We may need to verify that the request concerns your account.

If advertising is introduced, this policy and any necessary consent controls will be updated before advertising technology is enabled. Where applicable, visitors will receive choices for personalized advertising and cookies.

5. Retention and security

We retain information for as long as reasonably needed to provide the service, maintain an accurate public directory, resolve disputes, enforce rules, or meet legal obligations. Public directory history may be retained after an item is archived so administrators can restore mistakes and prevent repeated bad submissions. We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards, but no internet service can guarantee absolute security.

6. Children’s privacy

Helping Plate is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from a child under 13. A parent or guardian who believes a child submitted personal information should contact us.

7. Policy changes and contact

We may update this policy as the service changes. The effective date at the top will be revised, and material changes may receive additional notice. Questions and privacy requests can be sent through the Helping Plate contact page.