How does Food Tracker Compass handle your data? Privacy policy

Short version: we run no third-party analytics, no advertising trackers, and no session replay. We do not sell, rent, or share your data. The longer version is below.

Who runs Food Tracker Compass?

Food Tracker Compass is an independent benchmark of AI food tracking apps. We are based in the United States and operate the website at https://www.food-trackers.com. This privacy policy explains what we collect, why, how we use it, and the rights you have over it.

What data does Food Tracker Compass collect?

• Newsletter sign-ups. If you submit your email address to subscribe to our quarterly research digest, we store that email address and the date you subscribed. We use it only to send you the digest.
• Research-report purchases. If you purchase a quarterly research report, our payments processor (Stripe) handles billing details on our behalf. We receive only the information needed to fulfil the order — your name, email, and order line items.
• Server logs. Our hosting provider records standard server logs (IP address, request URL, response status, user-agent, timestamp) for the purposes of operating and securing the site. These logs are retained for 30 days and are not joined with any other data.
• Optional cookies. A single, first-party cookie may be set when you dismiss a banner or toggle a UI preference. No third-party cookies are set by Food Tracker Compass.

What data do we deliberately not collect?

• We do not run Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any third-party advertising or marketing trackers.
• We do not run session-replay tools (Hotjar, FullStory, LogRocket, etc.).
• We do not buy, sell, rent, or share email lists with affiliates, advertisers, or the apps we review.
• We do not fingerprint visitors or use cross-site identifiers.
• We do not link your server-log activity to any subscription or purchase information.

How does Food Tracker Compass use the data it collects?

We use the limited data we collect only for the purpose for which you gave it. Newsletter emails are used to send the newsletter. Purchase details are used to fulfil the purchase. Server logs are used to operate, secure and capacity-plan the site. We never use any of these for advertising or profiling.

Who does Food Tracker Compass share data with?

We use a small number of carefully chosen service providers — known as data processors — to operate the site. Each is bound by contract to use your data only on our instructions:

• Hosting provider (for serving the site and storing server logs).
• Email service provider (for sending the newsletter to subscribers).
• Stripe (for processing report purchases — Stripe is the data controller for billing details).

We do not share data with anyone else. We do not share data with the apps we review.

How long does Food Tracker Compass keep your data?

• Newsletter email addresses: until you unsubscribe, or seven years of inactivity, whichever comes first.
• Purchase records: seven years (required for tax and accounting purposes).
• Server logs: 30 days.

What rights do you have over your data?

You have the right to access, correct, export, or delete the personal data we hold about you. You can exercise any of these rights by emailing privacy@food-trackers.com. We respond within 30 days. If you are in the EU, UK, California, or another jurisdiction with applicable data-protection law, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

• Unsubscribe from the newsletter via the link in every email.
• Request a copy of the data we hold by emailing privacy@food-trackers.com.
• Request deletion of your account or data by the same email.

Where is your data stored and transferred?

Our service providers may store data in the United States and the European Union. Where personal data is transferred between jurisdictions, we rely on the appropriate legal mechanisms (Standard Contractual Clauses, the EU-US Data Privacy Framework where applicable) to safeguard your data.

Does Food Tracker Compass collect data from children?

Food Tracker Compass is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please email privacy@food-trackers.com and we will delete the data promptly.

How does Food Tracker Compass secure your data?

We use industry-standard administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect the limited data we hold: TLS in transit, encryption at rest, principle-of-least-privilege access for our team, and quarterly security reviews. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but our minimal-data approach is itself a meaningful safeguard.

How will you be told if this privacy policy changes?

We may update this policy from time to time. The “effective date” at the top reflects the latest revision. Material changes will be announced via the newsletter and on the homepage.

How can you contact Food Tracker Compass about your data?

If you have any questions about this policy or your data, please email privacy@food-trackers.com. For broader editorial questions, see the about page and the team page.