forager Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

Data Collection

forager does not collect any personal data beyond what you choose to enter. All information you create (grocery lists, recipes, meal plans, and preferences) is controlled by you.

We do not collect:

• Analytics or usage data
• Crash reports or diagnostics
• Device identifiers or tracking information
• Location data
• Contact information (except as needed for household invitations)

Data Storage & iCloud Sync

Local Storage

All your data is stored locally on your device in the app's secure database. This includes:

• Grocery lists and shopping items
• Recipes and ingredients
• Meal plans and schedules
• Personal preferences and settings
• Custom categories and organization

iCloud Sync (Optional)

If you are signed into iCloud, forager uses Apple's CloudKit service to sync your data across your devices. This is controlled by your iCloud account settings.

How iCloud Sync Works:

• Your data is encrypted and stored in your personal iCloud account
• Only you can access this data across your devices
• Apple's iCloud Terms and Conditions apply
• Your iCloud storage quota (typically 5GB free) is used
• You can disable sync in Settings → Sync & Storage (requires app restart)

Household Sharing

When you create or join a household, specific data is shared with all household members:

Shared Data:

• Grocery lists and items
• Recipes and ingredients
• Meal plans
• Categories and ingredient templates
• Household name and member list

Your Control:

• As Owner: You control who can join your household (via invitation links)
• As Member: You can leave a household at any time (Settings → Household → Leave)
• Data Export: Export your household data before leaving (JSON format)
• Visibility: All household members can see and edit shared data

What's NOT Shared:

• Your personal iCloud account information
• Data you created before joining the household (unless you choose to migrate it)
• Your app settings and preferences

Third-Party Services

forager does not use any third-party analytics, tracking, or advertising services. Your data is not shared with anyone except in the following cases, all of which you control:

• Apple iCloud: When you enable sync (your data stays in your iCloud account)
• Household Members: When you create or join a household (you control membership)
• Anthropic (optional): When you enable AI ingredient parsing and provide your own API key (see below)

There are no advertisers, data brokers, or other third parties involved.

AI-Powered Ingredient Parsing (Optional)

forager includes an optional AI-powered ingredient parsing feature that uses Anthropic's Claude API to improve accuracy when importing recipes. This feature is:

• Off by default — you must explicitly enable it in Settings > AI Integration
• User-funded — you provide your own Anthropic API key (forager does not include or subsidize an API key)
• Limited in scope — only ingredient text (e.g., "2 cups flour") is sent to Anthropic's API for parsing. No recipes, grocery lists, meal plans, household information, or personal data is ever sent.
• Not accessed by the developer — your API key is stored in your device's Keychain and optionally shared with household members via encrypted CloudKit sync. The developer never sees your key or your data.
• Revocable — you can disable the feature or remove your API key at any time in Settings

When this feature is enabled, Anthropic's Privacy Policy applies to the ingredient text processed by their API. forager works fully without this feature using its built-in local parsing engine.

Data Deletion

Personal Data

To delete your personal data:

1. Local deletion: Uninstall the forager app from your device
2. iCloud deletion: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage → Forager → Delete Data

Household Data

If you are a household owner and want to delete the household:

1. Settings → Household → Delete Household
2. Your data is migrated to your personal iCloud account
3. Members are removed and lose access

If you are a household member and want to leave:

1. Settings → Household → Leave Household
2. Optionally export data before leaving
3. Your local copies are preserved (read-only)

Apple iCloud & CloudKit

forager uses Apple's CloudKit service to enable multi-device sync and household sharing. This means:

• Your data is stored in your personal iCloud account
• Apple's privacy policy and terms apply to iCloud data
• Forager cannot access your data without your iCloud account
• Data transmission is encrypted by Apple
• You control iCloud access in iOS Settings

For more information, see Apple's CloudKit Privacy Overview.

Children's Privacy

forager does not knowingly collect information from children under 13. The app does not require any personal information to function beyond what you choose to enter (grocery lists, recipes, etc.).

Your Rights & Controls

You have complete control over your data:

• Access: All your data is visible within the app
• Export: Export household data before leaving (JSON format)
• Deletion: Delete data by uninstalling the app or removing iCloud data
• Sync Control: Disable iCloud sync in Settings → Sync & Storage
• Household Control: Leave households or remove members at any time

Data Security

We take data security seriously:

• Local data is stored in the app's secure sandbox (protected by iOS)
• iCloud data is encrypted by Apple during transmission and storage
• Household invitations use secure CloudKit share links
• No passwords or sensitive data are stored

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy or your data, please contact us:

• GitHub Issues: github.com/rfhayn/forager/issues
• App Store: Leave a review or contact us through the App Store

Changes to This 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
• Showing an in-app notice for major changes

Your continued use of forager after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

Legal

This privacy policy is governed by the laws of the United States. For legal requests or concerns, please contact us through the channels listed above.

This privacy policy is effective as of April 2026.