Privacy Policy
WineWall - AI Wine Sommelier
Last Updated: December 2024
This Privacy Policy describes how WineWall ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use our mobile application (the "App").
By downloading, installing, or using WineWall, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
When you use WineWall, you may voluntarily provide the following information:
- Wine Shelf Photos: Images of wine shelves showing multiple bottles you scan for meal-specific recommendations (processed but not permanently stored)
- Meal Preferences: Your selected meal type (red meat, seafood, pasta, etc.) for personalized wine rankings
- Usage Preferences: Your subscription tier and lookup count
- Support Inquiries: Information you provide when contacting customer support
1.2 Information Automatically Collected
WineWall automatically collects minimal technical information required for the app to function:
- Device Information: Device type, operating system version for compatibility purposes
- Usage Data: Basic analytics about app crashes and performance to improve stability
- API Usage: Anonymous usage metrics for wine analysis requests
- Ad Interaction Data: If using free tier, basic ad impression and interaction data (handled by AdMob)
1.3 Information We Do NOT Collect
We are committed to your privacy. We do NOT collect:
- Email addresses (unless you contact support)
- Phone numbers
- Location data (precise or approximate)
- Access to your contacts
- Permanently stored wine photos
- Personal wine preferences or purchase history
- Payment information (handled by Apple)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Provide Wine Analysis: Process wine shelf photos through OpenAI GPT-4 Vision to identify wines and generate meal-specific recommendations
- Manage Subscriptions: Track your subscription status and remaining lookups via RevenueCat
- Deliver Advertisements: Serve rewarded video ads and banner ads to free tier users via Google AdMob
- Improve Performance: Analyze app crashes and usage patterns to fix bugs and improve stability
- Customer Support: Respond to support requests and technical issues
- Legal Compliance: Comply with applicable laws and regulations
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We share your information with the following third-party service providers:
3.1 OpenAI (Wine Analysis)
Wine shelf photos are sent to OpenAI's GPT-4 Vision API for analysis. OpenAI processes the image to identify wines and generate recommendations. According to OpenAI's API Data Usage Policy:
- Images sent via API are not used to train OpenAI models
- Images are processed and immediately discarded
- No permanent storage of your wine photos
OpenAI Privacy Policy: https://openai.com/privacy
3.2 RevenueCat (Subscription Management)
RevenueCat manages subscription status, in-app purchases, and tracks your remaining lookups. They collect:
- Device identifiers (anonymous)
- Purchase history
- Subscription status
RevenueCat Privacy Policy: https://www.revenuecat.com/privacy
3.3 Google AdMob (Free Tier Advertising)
If you use the free tier, AdMob serves rewarded video ads and banner ads. AdMob may collect:
- Device advertising identifier (IDFA) if tracking is authorized
- IP address (approximate location)
- Ad interaction data (views, clicks)
- Device type and OS version
Google AdMob Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
3.4 Apple (Payment Processing)
All subscription and in-app purchases are processed by Apple through the App Store. We do not receive or store your payment information.
Apple Privacy Policy: https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/
3.5 Vercel (Backend Hosting)
Our serverless backend API is hosted on Vercel. Vercel temporarily processes wine photos to forward them to OpenAI but does not store them.
Vercel Privacy Policy: https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy
4. Data Retention
Wine Photos
Wine shelf photos are NEVER permanently stored. The processing flow is:
- Photo captured in app
- Sent to Vercel backend (temporary memory)
- Forwarded to OpenAI for analysis
- Analysis returned as text-based recommendations
- Photo immediately discarded from all systems
Usage Data
- Subscription Status: Retained while you have an active subscription or account
- Analytics: Retained for up to 90 days for crash reporting and bug fixes
- Support Emails: Retained for up to 1 year for customer service purposes
5. Your Privacy Rights
5.1 Access and Deletion
You have the right to:
- Access what data we have about you (minimal due to our privacy-first design)
- Request deletion of all your data
- Export your subscription data
To exercise these rights, email us at support@nittram.net
5.2 Opt-Out of Personalized Ads
iOS users can opt out of personalized advertising:
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
- Disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track"
- Or go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising
- Enable "Limit Ad Tracking"
5.3 Cancel Subscription
To cancel your premium subscription:
- Open iOS Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions
- Select WineWall
- Tap "Cancel Subscription"
6. Children's Privacy
WineWall is intended for users aged 21 and older (legal drinking age in the United States). We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 21. If we become aware that a user under 21 has provided us with information, we will delete it immediately.
7. International Data Transfers
WineWall is based in the United States. If you are accessing the app from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers and service providers are located.
8. Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
- Serverless architecture with minimal data storage
- Immediate deletion of wine photos after processing
- Secure third-party service providers (OpenAI, RevenueCat, AdMob)
- No permanent storage of sensitive information
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
- Updating the "Last Updated" date
- In-app notification for material changes
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
10. GDPR Compliance (European Users)
If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
Legal Basis for Processing
- Contract: Providing wine analysis service you requested
- Legitimate Interest: Improving app performance and fixing bugs
- Consent: Serving personalized advertisements (free tier only)
Your GDPR Rights
- Right to Access: Request what data we have about you
- Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data
- Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
- Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for ad tracking at any time
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@nittram.net
Data Protection Officer
For GDPR-related inquiries, you can contact our Data Protection Officer at support@nittram.net
Supervisory Authority
If you are in the EEA and believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.
11. CCPA Compliance (California Users)
If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
Categories of Information Collected
- Identifiers: Device ID, IP address (via AdMob)
- Commercial Information: Subscription status, purchase history
- Internet Activity: App usage, ad interactions
- Visual Information: Wine shelf photos (not stored, immediately processed and discarded)
Your CCPA Rights
- Right to Know: What personal information we collect and how we use it
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: Opt-out of sale of personal information (we do NOT sell personal information)
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights
To exercise these rights, email support@nittram.net or call (804) 391-0882
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
We do NOT sell your personal information. While we share data with service providers (OpenAI, RevenueCat, AdMob) to deliver our service, this is not considered a "sale" under CCPA.
12. Consent
By using WineWall, you consent to:
- Processing of wine photos for AI analysis (immediately discarded after)
- Use of cookies and similar technologies by service providers
- Sharing data with third-party service providers as described in this policy
- Receiving advertisements if using free tier (unless opted out via iOS settings)
You can withdraw your consent at any time by uninstalling the app and canceling your subscription.
14. App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
What is App Tracking Transparency?
WineWall complies with Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework. When you first open the app (if using the free tier), you will see a prompt asking for permission to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites.
The prompt message you'll see: "This helps us show you relevant ads and support continued development of WineWall. Your data is never sold to third parties."
What "Tracking" Means
Tracking refers to linking data collected from WineWall with data from other apps and websites for purposes of targeted advertising or advertising measurement. Specifically:
- Advertising Identifier (IDFA): A unique identifier that allows advertisers to deliver personalized ads
- Cross-App Tracking: Connecting your activity in WineWall with your activity in other apps
- Ad Targeting: Using this data to show you more relevant advertisements
Why We Request Tracking Permission
If you use the free tier (ad-supported), we request tracking permission for the following reasons:
- Better Ad Relevance: Show you ads more likely to be interesting to you
- Ad Revenue: Support continued development of WineWall through ad revenue
- User Experience: More relevant ads mean a better experience during ad viewing
Your Choice Matters: You can choose "Ask App Not to Track" or "Allow" in the ATT prompt. WineWall will function normally regardless of your choice. If you deny tracking, you'll still see ads, but they will be less personalized.
If You Allow Tracking
When you grant tracking permission, the following happens:
- AdMob (Google) can access your device's Advertising Identifier (IDFA)
- Your app usage data may be linked with your activity in other apps for ad targeting
- You'll see more personalized advertisements based on your interests
- Ad networks can measure ad performance more effectively
If You Deny Tracking
When you choose "Ask App Not to Track," the following applies:
- Your IDFA will not be shared with advertisers
- Ads shown will be contextual (based on app content) rather than personalized
- You'll still see the same number of ads (free tier users)
- Ad revenue may be slightly lower, but the app remains fully functional
Premium Subscribers and Tracking
Premium subscribers are NOT subject to tracking or the ATT prompt because:
- Premium users do not see any advertisements
- There is no ad tracking for non-ad users
- No IDFA access or cross-app tracking occurs
- Privacy is maximized for premium subscribers
Changing Your Tracking Preference
You can change your tracking permission at any time:
- Open iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
- Find WineWall in the list
- Toggle the permission on or off
- Alternatively, disable "Allow Apps to Request to Track" to block all tracking requests
Data Used for Tracking (Free Tier Only)
When tracking is authorized, the following data may be used:
- IDFA: Your device's advertising identifier
- Ad Interactions: Which ads you view and click
- App Usage: How you use WineWall (anonymous unless linked via IDFA)
- Device Info: Device type, OS version, carrier, timezone
Third-Party Tracking Partners
If you authorize tracking, these partners may receive your IDFA:
- Google AdMob: For serving and measuring ad performance
- Ad Network Partners: Companies that deliver ads through AdMob
We Do NOT Sell Tracking Data
Important: While we may share your IDFA with ad networks for personalized advertising (if you authorize tracking), we do NOT sell your personal tracking data to data brokers or other third parties. Ad networks use the IDFA solely for ad delivery and measurement.
15. Wine Photo Processing
Critical Privacy Feature: Wine shelf photos you take are processed in real-time and NEVER permanently stored on our servers or by OpenAI. The analysis process works as follows:
- You select your meal type (red meat, seafood, pasta, pizza, etc.) within the app
- You photograph a wine shelf showing multiple bottles at a store
- The photo is sent to our secure Vercel backend
- The backend forwards it to OpenAI's GPT-4 Vision API along with your meal selection
- OpenAI analyzes the photo, identifies all visible wine labels, and ranks them for your specific meal
- The photo is immediately discarded from memory
- Only the text-based analysis and wine rankings are displayed to you
This means your wine shelf photos are ephemeral and leave no permanent record. We cannot see what stores you shop at or retrieve any of your photos later.
16. Cookies and Similar Technologies
WineWall is a native mobile application and does not use cookies. However, our service providers (OpenAI API via Vercel, RevenueCat, and AdMob) may use similar technologies for their functionality. These are governed by their respective privacy policies.
17. Account Deletion and Data Erasure
To delete all data associated with WineWall:
- Cancel your subscription (if applicable) through iOS Settings → Subscriptions
- Uninstall the WineWall app from your device
- Email us at support@nittram.net to request complete account deletion
We will delete all associated data within 30 days of your request, except where we are required by law to retain certain information.
18. Third-Party Links
WineWall may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.
19. California "Shine the Light" Law
California residents may request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. We do NOT share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.
20. Updates and Notifications
We may send you notifications related to:
- Subscription renewals and payment issues
- Major app updates and new features
- Changes to Terms of Service or Privacy Policy
You can manage notification preferences in iOS Settings → Notifications → WineWall
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