Privacy Policy
Effective Date: January 11, 2025
At Less Carbs ("we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website lesscarbs.com and use our services.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Personal Information
When you create an account or use our services, we may collect the following personal information:
- Account Information: Name, email address, password (encrypted)
- Profile Information: Dietary preferences, saved recipes, and user-generated content
- Payment Information: Payment details processed securely through Stripe (we do not store credit card information)
- Subscription Information: LessCarbs+ membership status and billing history
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:
- Usage Data: Pages viewed, recipes accessed, time spent on site, click patterns
- Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
- Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: See Section 5 for details
1.3 User-Generated Content
- Comments and reviews on recipes
- Recipe modifications and notes
- Community interactions
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information for the following purposes:
- Service Delivery: To provide and maintain our recipe platform, manage user accounts, and deliver LessCarbs+ premium features
- Payment Processing: To process subscription payments and manage billing through Stripe
- Personalization: To customize your experience, recommend recipes, and save your preferences
- Communication: To send account notifications, subscription updates, and respond to inquiries
- Analytics: To understand user behavior, improve our services, and optimize website performance
- Marketing: To send promotional content about new recipes and features (with your consent)
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
- Security: To protect against fraud, abuse, and security threats
3. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect and process your information:
3.1 Firebase (Google Cloud)
We use Firebase for authentication, database storage, and hosting services. Firebase processes your account information and usage data according to Google's Privacy Policy.
3.2 Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics uses cookies and may track your activity across different websites.
3.3 Stripe
We use Stripe for secure payment processing. Stripe processes your payment information according to PCI-DSS standards.
- Service: Payment processing for LessCarbs+ subscriptions
- Data Shared: Payment details, billing information, email
- Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/privacy
3.4 Google Ads
We use Google Ads to display advertisements on our website. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your browsing history.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: With third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, payment processing)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or legal process
- Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
- Protection: To protect our rights, property, safety, or the rights of our users
- With Consent: When you provide explicit consent for specific sharing purposes
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:
Types of Cookies We Use:
- Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and user authentication
- Analytics Cookies: Track website usage and performance (Google Analytics)
- Advertising Cookies: Deliver personalized ads (Google Ads)
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
6. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
- Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest
- Secure authentication with Firebase
- PCI-compliant payment processing through Stripe
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Access controls and authentication requirements
- Firestore security rules to protect user data
However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services and maintain your account
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
- Maintain business records
When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except where retention is required by law.
8. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request access to your personal information
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
- Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Opt-out: Opt-out of marketing communications
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing
- Object: Object to certain data processing activities
To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.
10. International Data Transfers
Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws different from your jurisdiction. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers in accordance with applicable law.
11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
- Right to know what personal information is collected
- Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
- Right to deletion of personal information
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights
Note: We do not sell your personal information.
12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation:
- Legal basis for processing (consent, contract, legitimate interest)
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
- Right to object to automated decision-making
- Data protection officer contact (if applicable)
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by:
- Posting the updated policy on our website
- Updating the "Effective Date" at the top
- Sending email notification to registered users (for significant changes)
Your continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Less Carbs
Email: [email protected]
Contact Form: lesscarbs.com/contact
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.
Summary for Google Ads Compliance:
This privacy policy discloses how Less Carbs collects, uses, and protects user information including data from Google Analytics, Firebase, Stripe payments, and advertising services. Users have control over their data and can exercise their privacy rights by contacting us.