Smart Menu - Privacy Policy
Smart Menu is an app for restaurants to publish a digital menu and take orders, and for diners to browse menus and place orders by scanning a QR code. This policy explains what data the app handles and why.
Data we collect
- Restaurant owners: when you sign in with Google we store your name, email address, and the restaurant profile you create (restaurant name, address, contact details, menu content, opening hours).
- Diners: you can browse and order without creating an account. The app signs you in anonymously to keep your order history on your device's identity. An order contains the items you chose, your table number, and an optional name you enter at checkout.
- Staff: restaurant owners may add staff by email address or generate an access code. We store the email (or the code's account) and the assigned role.
- Menu photos: if an owner uses "Scan a menu photo", the photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to convert it into menu text. Photos are not stored by Smart Menu after processing.
- Crash and usage data: we use Firebase Crashlytics and Google Analytics for Firebase to fix crashes and understand feature usage. This data is aggregated and not used to identify you.
How data is stored
All data is stored in Google Firebase (Firestore) in accordance with Google's Firebase privacy documentation. Menus are public by design - anyone with the QR code or link can read them. Orders are readable only by the diner who placed them, the restaurant owner, and staff the owner has authorized.
What we do not do
- We do not sell or share your data with third parties for advertising.
- We do not show ads.
- We do not collect your precise location, contacts, or files.
- We do not process payments - orders are paid at the counter or as arranged with the restaurant.
Permissions the app uses
- Camera - to scan menu QR codes (diners) and photograph printed menus (owners). Images are used only for those features.
- Notifications - so owners can get an alert when a new order arrives. Optional and off by default.
- Nearby Wi-Fi / hotspot - only when an owner turns on "Serve menu offline", which hosts the menu on the restaurant's local network. Nothing leaves the premises.
Data deletion
Restaurant owners can delete their account and all restaurant data from inside the app (More menu, "Delete account"). Diners' anonymous order history is removed when the app's data is cleared or the app is uninstalled. You can also email us to request deletion of any data tied to your account.
Children
Smart Menu is not directed at children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from them.
Changes
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted at this address with an updated date above.
Questions or data requests: lord245@gmail.com