Last updated: February 2026
Introduction
Wheel of Food ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.
Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us:
- Restaurant Lists: The restaurants and lists you create are stored locally on your device.
- Usage Data: We collect anonymous analytics data to improve the app experience (via Firebase Analytics).
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and app version.
- Device Identifiers: A platform-provided device identifier (Android ID or iOS Vendor ID) used solely for API rate limiting and abuse prevention. This is not an advertising identifier and does not require additional user consent.
- Advertising Data: Ad interaction data for displaying relevant advertisements via Google AdMob.
Location Information
When you use the "Nearby" feature, we access your device's location to find restaurants near you. Your precise location is never stored on our servers. For cache lookups, your coordinates are rounded to a coarse grid (~0.7 miles), and only these rounded coordinates are used as cache keys. Your exact location is not recoverable from these keys.
How We Use Your Information
We use collected information to:
- Provide and improve app functionality
- Display relevant advertisements
- Analyze app performance and fix crashes
- Prevent abuse and enforce API rate limits
- Monitor aggregate API usage to manage service costs and prevent overruns
Third-Party Services
Our app uses the following third-party services:
- Google Places API: For restaurant search, details, and photos
- Google AdMob: For displaying advertisements
- Firebase Analytics: For anonymous usage analytics
- App Store/Google Play: For in-app purchases
Data Storage
Local Storage: Your restaurant lists and preferences are stored locally on your device.
On-Device Search Cache: When you use the "Nearby" feature, search results (restaurant names, addresses, ratings, locations, cuisine types, and opening status) are cached locally on your device for up to 30 days to enable faster loading and offline access. This cache is keyed by rounded grid coordinates, not your precise location. Cached data is automatically deleted after 30 days or when you clear app data.
Rate Limit Records: Your device identifier and request timestamps are stored temporarily on our servers (Azure Table Storage) to enforce API rate limits. These records are used only for rate limiting and are not shared with third parties.
Server-Side Caching: To reduce costs and improve response times, we cache certain data on our servers:
- Search results — restaurant names, addresses, ratings, locations, cuisine types, and opening status are cached for up to 30 days, keyed by rounded grid coordinates (not your precise location)
- Place details — essential restaurant information is cached for 7–30 days depending on data volatility
- Restaurant photos — individual photos are cached in cloud storage for up to 180 days
- Only essential fields are cached. Full API responses, user reviews, and other user-generated content are not stored.
Global Usage Counters: Aggregate API request counts (with no user-identifiable data) are maintained to monitor service costs.
No Account Required: We do not require you to create an account.
Data Retention
- Local data (lists, preferences) remains on your device until you delete the app or clear app data
- On-device nearby search cache entries are automatically deleted after 30 days
- Analytics data is retained according to Firebase's data retention policies (typically 14 months)
- Rate limit records are automatically purged after 24 hours
- Search result cache entries are automatically deleted after 30 days
- Place detail cache entries are automatically deleted after 7–30 days
- Photo cache entries are automatically deleted after 180 days via cloud storage lifecycle policy
- Global API usage counters contain no user-identifiable data and are purged after 7 days
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your data (stored locally on your device)
- Delete your data by clearing app data or uninstalling the app
- Opt out of personalized advertising via device settings
- Disable analytics by disabling usage data sharing in device settings
Children's Privacy
Our app is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us: