Privacy Policy
Restaurant Journal · Effective date: July 24, 2026
Restaurant Journal ("the app", "we", "us") helps you remember where you've dined. This policy explains what information the app handles, where it is processed, and the choices you have. It is written to be read, not just to satisfy lawyers.
1. Information processed on your device only
The following never leaves your phone and is not sent to our servers:
- Photos and photo metadata. With your permission, the app reads your photo library and analyzes images on-device (using Apple's Vision framework) to detect likely restaurant visits, using photos' embedded location and timestamps. Your photos are not copied to or stored on our servers.
- Voice notes and transcripts. Recordings you make are stored locally and transcribed using Apple's on-device speech recognition where available.
- Your journal. Visits, notes, occasions, ratings, and cover-photo choices are stored locally on your device.
2. Location
The app uses location in two ways: it reads location embedded in your photos to figure out where a visit happened, and — with your permission — it may use your device's current location to center the map on you. Coordinates may be sent to Apple (via MapKit) to identify nearby restaurants and convert coordinates into place names. We do not track your location in the background for advertising or profiling.
3. Establishment logos
To display a restaurant's logo, the app may send the establishment's website domain to a logo provider (Brandfetch). No personal information is included in these requests.
4. Service providers
We rely on the following providers, who process data on our behalf for the purposes above:
- Apple — Maps and on-device Vision/Speech.
- Supabase — storing anonymous usage analytics (see below).
- Cloudflare — hosting this website and routing requests.
- Brandfetch — establishment logos.
5. What we do not do
- We do not sell your personal information.
- We do not use third-party advertising or ad-tracking SDKs.
- We do not upload your photos, voice recordings, or face data.
6. Anonymous usage analytics
To understand how the app is used and improve it, we collect anonymous, aggregate usage events — for example when the app is opened, when a scan runs and how many visits it found, and which screens are viewed. These events are tied to a random per-install identifier and a per-session identifier, never to your name, account, photos, notes, or financial data. We may record the brand of chains in aggregate (e.g., how many scans found a Starbucks); independent restaurants are grouped simply as "Independent," so the specific places you visit are never sent. This data is stored on our own backend, is not sold, and involves no third-party advertising or tracking. You can turn it off anytime in the app's Settings.
7. Data retention and your choices
- On-device data (photos, journal, voice notes) is removed when you delete the app.
- Deleting a visit moves it to "Recently Deleted," then permanently removes it after 30 days (or immediately if you choose).
- You can revoke photo, location, microphone, or speech permissions at any time in iOS Settings.
- You can turn off anonymous analytics in the app's Settings.
8. Children
Restaurant Journal is not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your region), and we do not knowingly collect their information.
9. Your regional rights
Depending on where you live (for example, under GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or port your personal information, and to opt out of certain processing. To exercise these rights, contact us below.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the app evolves. Material changes will be reflected by updating the effective date above and, where appropriate, notifying you in the app.
11. Contact
Questions or requests: [email protected]