Your food scout data, explained plainly.

1. Information we collect

We collect the information needed to run Spot and make street-food discovery useful:

• Account information: your Firebase Authentication user ID, email address, display name, username, and profile photo if you sign in or use Google Sign-In.
• User content: Bites, food photos, captions, comments, reviews, reports, saved items, reactions, Tried This actions, and place or food item contributions.
• Location information: approximate or precise device location when you allow location access, so Spot can show food near you. If you post a Bite or tag a place, related place/location metadata may be stored with that content.
• Photos and camera data: photos you choose or take for Bites, pending photo moderation, and related image metadata such as storage paths and URLs. Images are stored in Firebase Storage, not directly inside Firestore documents.
• App and safety data: reports, moderation status, timestamps, admin review fields, and basic technical records needed for security, abuse prevention, and app operation.

2. How we use information

We use information to:

• show nearby places, Bites, map activity, food zones, Bite Scores, StreetRep, and Social Proof;
• let you post Bites, comment, react, save, mark food as tried, and maintain your profile;
• moderate reports, fake places, inappropriate photos, spam, and unsafe content;
• sync app data through Firebase services and keep the app stable, secure, and reliable;
• respond to support requests sent to our contact email.

3. What is public

Spot is a social food discovery app. Public content such as your username, display name, profile photo, Bites, Bite photos, captions, tagged places, tagged food items, comments, reviews, reactions counts, and public profile signals may be visible to other users.

4. When we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share or process data only as needed to operate Spot:

• Service providers: we use Google Firebase services such as Firebase Authentication, Firestore, Firebase Storage, and related Google infrastructure.
• External actions: if you open directions or external map links, your device may send information to the map/navigation app or browser you choose.
• Legal and safety: we may disclose information if required by law or to protect users, the app, or the public from fraud, abuse, or security issues.

5. Permissions

• Location: used to show nearby food, map results, distance, and local activity signals.
• Camera and photos: used only when you choose to take or upload a Bite photo.
• Internet: used for Firebase sync, authentication, image loading, and app services.

6. Data retention and deletion

We keep information for as long as needed to provide Spot, maintain safety, comply with legal obligations, and preserve public social proof. You may delete content where the app provides delete controls. To request account or data deletion, email spotteam.support@gmail.com from the email associated with your Spot account.

7. Security

We use Firebase security rules, authenticated access, and moderation controls to help protect user data. No system is perfectly secure, but we design Spot to limit access, prevent spoofing, and protect admin-only actions.

8. Children

Spot is not directed to children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through Spot, contact us and we will review the request.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as Spot changes. If we make material changes, we will update the effective date and make the latest version available at this URL.