Halal Anchor is designed to help you make informed halal dining decisions while respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information is collected, how it is used, and your choices regarding that information.
1. Information You Provide
Menu content
When you use the menu analysis feature, you may submit:
- Photos of restaurant menus (uploaded from your camera or photo library)
- Menu links (URLs pointing to a restaurant's online menu)
- Menu text you type or paste directly into the app
- Names or descriptions of individual dishes
This content is sent to our servers to generate an analysis result for you. We do not associate it with your identity unless you are signed in, and we do not use it for purposes beyond producing the result you requested. Menu content submitted for analysis is also processed by third-party services; see Section 3 for details.
Camera and photo library access are used only when you choose to capture or upload a menu image for analysis. Halal Anchor does not access your camera or photo library in the background.
Account information
You may optionally create an account using your email address to access Premium features and sync your history across devices. We use your email address to:
- Send you a secure, passwordless login link
- Manage your subscription status
- Respond to support requests you initiate
We do not use your email address for unsolicited marketing without your consent.
Location information
The "Near Me" feature requests access to your device's location to find halal-friendly restaurants nearby. Location data is used only to perform the search and is not stored, logged, or shared. You may deny location access and instead enter a destination manually.
Food standard preference
Your selected food standard (for example, General Muslim or Hanafi-Leaning) is stored locally on your device and, if you have an account, synced to your account to ensure consistent analysis results. This preference is not shared with third parties.
2. Information Collected Automatically
Usage statistics
We may collect anonymous, aggregated usage statistics to understand which features are most useful, improve app reliability, and guide future development. These statistics do not identify you personally and cannot be linked back to your account or device.
Crash and error reports
If the app encounters an error, a crash report may be generated automatically. These reports contain technical information about the state of the app at the time of the error and do not include the content of your menu submissions or personal information beyond what is technically necessary to diagnose the issue.
3. Third-Party Services
Analysis processing
Menu content you submit is processed by third-party technology services to generate your analysis results. These services operate under their own terms and privacy policies. We do not knowingly submit your data for purposes other than generating the analysis you requested.
Restaurant data
The restaurant search feature retrieves publicly available restaurant information from third-party mapping and review services. No personal information is shared with these services beyond what is technically required to perform the search (for example, an approximate location).
Payment processing
All in-app purchases are processed exclusively through Apple's App Store using Apple's payment infrastructure. Halal Anchor does not receive, store, or process your payment card details. Apple's privacy policy governs payment data.
4. What Halal Anchor Does Not Do
- Does not sell your personal information to any third party
- Does not share your data with advertisers or data brokers
- Does not track your browsing activity outside the app
- Does not build a profile of your dietary habits for advertising purposes
- Does not access your camera or photo library in the background
- Does not retain menu submission content beyond the time needed to generate your result
5. Data Retention
Analysis history saved within the app is stored until you clear it or delete your account. Anonymous usage statistics are retained in aggregated form. If you delete your account, your personal information and saved history are deleted within 30 days.
6. Children's Privacy
Halal Anchor is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the app, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your account and associated data
- Withdraw consent for optional data processing
- Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (where applicable)
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to requests within 30 days.
8. Security
We use industry-standard security practices to protect your information, including encrypted transmission (HTTPS/TLS) for all data sent between your device and our servers. Account authentication uses secure, single-use login links rather than passwords. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date above and, where appropriate, notify you through the app. Continued use of Halal Anchor after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
10. Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled should be sent to:
Halal Anchor
[email protected]