Privacy Policy for InstaCal

Last Updated: March 12, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to InstaCal ("App", "we", "us", or "our"), an AI-powered nutrition tracking app with social features, including meal scanning, barcode scanning, nutrition label scanning, food search, saved meals, build-your-own meal capabilities, a social feed, stories (Slides), a nearby meals map, fitness integrations, and AI-powered nutrition coaching.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our App. By using InstaCal, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of data when you use our App:

Account & Profile Information:

  • Email address
  • Username and display name
  • Profile photo
  • Birthday
  • Gender

Health & Body Data:

  • Height and weight
  • Calorie and macronutrient intake data
  • Nutrition goals and progress
  • Fitness data synced from connected services (Apple Health, Strava), including calories burned and workout activity

User-Generated Content:

  • Meal photos taken or uploaded through the App
  • Social feed posts, Slides (stories), likes, comments, and bookmarks
  • Meal logs and custom meal creations

Location Data:

  • Approximate or precise location data when you use the nearby meals map feature. Location access is only used when you grant permission and can be revoked at any time through your device settings.

Payment Information:

  • Payment and subscription information processed securely through Apple Pay, Google Pay, and RevenueCat. We do not store your credit card or payment details directly.

Device & Usage Data:

  • Device type and model
  • Operating system version
  • App usage statistics and feature interactions
  • Crash reports and performance data

Camera & Photo Access:

  • Camera access is used for AI meal scanning, barcode scanning, nutrition label scanning, and meal photo uploads for social posts. Photos are only captured or accessed when you initiate these actions.

3. How We Use Your Information

The information collected is used to:

  • Provide and maintain the App's core tracking and logging features
  • Authenticate users and manage accounts via Supabase
  • Process payments and manage subscriptions through RevenueCat
  • Analyze app usage and improve user experience using PostHog
  • Power AI features including meal recognition, AI meal fixing, AI Dietitian chat, and personalized calorie and macronutrient goals using OpenAI
  • Display your profile, posts, and meal content to other users through the social feed, Slides, and nearby meals map
  • Show meals logged near your location on the map feature (when location access is granted)
  • Sync fitness and activity data from Apple Health and Strava to display alongside your nutrition data
  • Send notifications related to social interactions (likes, comments, follows)
  • Communicate with you regarding your account and services

4. Social Features & Content Visibility

InstaCal includes social features that allow you to share meal posts, Slides (stories), and interact with other users. When you use these features, please be aware of the following:

  • Public content: Meal posts, Slides, and profile information (username, display name, profile photo) you share on the social feed are visible to other InstaCal users.
  • Nearby meals map: If you log a meal while using the map feature, the meal and its approximate location may be visible to other users browsing the map. Exact addresses are not shared.
  • Interactions: Your likes, comments, and bookmarks may be visible to other users.
  • Control: You can delete your posts and content at any time through the App.

5. Fitness & Health Integrations

InstaCal can connect to third-party fitness services to enhance your tracking experience:

  • Apple Health: With your permission, we read and write health and fitness data (such as calories burned, workouts, and nutrition data) to Apple Health. This data stays on your device and is governed by Apple's privacy policies.
  • Strava: With your permission, we read workout and activity data from your Strava account to display calories burned alongside your nutrition tracking.

These integrations are optional and require your explicit permission. You can disconnect them at any time through the App or your device settings.

6. Data Sharing & Third-Party Services

We share your information only with trusted third-party service providers essential for the App's operation:

  • RevenueCat: Payment processing and subscription management
  • PostHog: Analytics and user behavior tracking
  • Supabase: User authentication, database management, and storage of user-generated content
  • OpenAI: AI-powered meal recognition, meal fixing, AI Dietitian chat, and generation of calorie and macronutrient goals. Meal photos and text you submit to AI features are processed by OpenAI.
  • Apple Health: Fitness and health data sync (on-device only)
  • Strava: Workout and activity data sync

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. Data Protection

We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include encryption, secure servers, and access control protocols. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data Retention & Deletion

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us at support@theinstacal.app. Upon receiving a deletion request, we will delete or anonymize your data within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it by law.

Please note that content you have shared publicly on the social feed (such as meal posts and comments) may have been viewed or saved by other users before deletion.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal data
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data and account
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
  • Withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for location access, fitness integrations, or other optional data collection at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at support@theinstacal.app.

10. Health & Nutrition Disclaimer

InstaCal tracks food intake, macronutrients, and related nutrition data that may be considered health-related information. Please be aware:

  • This app is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnose any condition, or replace professional medical guidance.
  • AI-generated nutrition insights, calorie goals, and AI Dietitian responses are for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or dietary prescriptions.
  • Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or nutrition plan.

11. Children's Privacy

InstaCal is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, features, or legal requirements. When we make changes:

  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.
  • For material changes, we will notify users through the App or other reasonable means (such as an in-app notification or email).
  • Your continued use of InstaCal after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your data.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Email: support@theinstacal.app

Address: 2345 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

By using InstaCal, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.