UrbanEater ("we," "our," or "us") operates the UrbanEater restaurant directory platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our platform. Please read this policy carefully.
Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly to us and information collected automatically when you use our platform:
- Account information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and password.
- Business information: Restaurant owners who list their businesses provide details such as restaurant name, address, cuisine type, hours, contact information, and photos.
- Contact and inquiry forms: When you submit a demo request or contact form, we collect your name, email, phone number, and message content.
- Usage data: We automatically collect information about your interactions with our platform, including pages visited, search queries, filters applied, and time spent on pages.
- Location data: We may collect general location information (city and region) to show you relevant local restaurant listings.
- Device information: We collect information about the device and browser you use to access our platform.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To operate, maintain, and improve the UrbanEater platform
- To create and manage your account and restaurant listings
- To process and respond to demo requests, contact form submissions, and support inquiries
- To send you transactional emails (account confirmations, listing status updates)
- To show you relevant local restaurant listings based on your location
- To analyze usage patterns and improve platform performance
- To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or fraud
- To comply with legal obligations
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to operate our platform. These include:
- Essential cookies: Required for the platform to function, including authentication session cookies and anti-forgery tokens.
- Preference cookies: We store your city selection to remember your location preference between visits.
- Analytics: We may use analytics tools to understand how our platform is used. This data is aggregated and anonymized where possible.
You can control cookie settings through your browser. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may process your data:
- SendGrid: We use SendGrid to send transactional emails. Email addresses provided via forms are transmitted to SendGrid for delivery purposes.
- Google Maps: Restaurant listing pages may display maps powered by Google Maps. Google's Privacy Policy applies to map interactions.
- Azure Blob Storage: Restaurant photos are stored on Microsoft Azure. Microsoft's privacy practices apply to stored files.
- Microsoft SQL Server: Your account and listing data is stored in a managed SQL Server database.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
- With service providers who assist in operating our platform (listed above), under contractual data processing agreements
- If required by law, regulation, or valid legal process
- To protect the rights, property, or safety of UrbanEater, our users, or the public
- In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with appropriate notice to affected users
Restaurant listing information (name, address, hours, cuisine, photos) that restaurant owners publish is publicly visible on the platform by design.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention.
Restaurant listing data is retained for the duration of the listing's active status and for a reasonable period thereafter for analytics and legal compliance purposes.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions
- Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format
- Objection: Object to certain uses of your data
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@urbaneater.io.
Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), hashed password storage, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Children's Privacy
UrbanEater is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
