Privacy Policy

1 Summary

We built Falasteeni to be private by default:

• You can search and browse brands without creating an account.
• We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use third-party advertising or cross-app tracking.
• We only collect the information described below, and only to operate and improve the Service.
• Camera access (for barcode scanning, where available) is used only on your device to read a barcode; the camera image is not uploaded or stored.

2 Information We Collect

Information you choose to provide

• Brand / product submissions. When you submit a brand or product, we collect the details you enter (product name, brand/company, category, country, barcode, description, evidence links, and any image you attach).
• Optional contact details. If you choose to, you may include your name and email with a submission so we can follow up. These fields are optional.
• Newsletter. If you subscribe, we store your email address and your preferred language to send you updates. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
• Account (optional). Some features may let you sign in. If you create an account, we store the credentials needed to authenticate you.

Information collected automatically

• Usage & device data. Like most online services, our servers record basic technical information such as your IP address, browser/app user-agent, and request timestamps.
• Approximate location. We may derive an approximate country from your IP address for anonymous, aggregated visitor statistics. We do not collect precise GPS location.
• Local storage. The website stores small items on your device for functionality only — your theme (light/dark) and language preference, and a security (CSRF) token used to protect form submissions. We do not use advertising cookies.

Camera (mobile app)

If you use barcode scanning, the app requests camera permission solely to read product barcodes on your device. Captured frames are processed locally and are not transmitted to or stored by us. Only the decoded barcode text is used to perform a search.

3 How We Use Information

• To operate core features — search, brand details, alternatives, and evidence links.
• To review, moderate, and publish brand/product submissions.
• To send newsletter updates you requested, and to let you unsubscribe.
• To maintain security, prevent abuse and spam, and debug problems.
• To understand overall usage through anonymous, aggregated statistics.

4 How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share data only in these limited cases:

• Service providers. Infrastructure and email-delivery providers that process data on our behalf, under appropriate confidentiality obligations.
• Published content. Brand and product information you submit may be published as part of the public directory. Your optional name/email are used internally for moderation and are not published.
• Legal reasons. When required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of our users and the Service.

5 Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above. Newsletter data is kept until you unsubscribe. Submission contact details are kept for moderation and record-keeping. Aggregated, anonymized statistics may be kept indefinitely. You may ask us to delete your information (see Contact).

6 Your Rights & Choices

• Access & deletion. You can request a copy of, correction to, or deletion of your personal information.
• Unsubscribe. Every newsletter email contains a one-click unsubscribe link.
• Permissions. You can revoke camera permission at any time in your device settings; the app will continue to work for manual search.

7 Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to safeguard your data.

8 Children’s Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

9 International Users

Falasteeni is operated for a global audience. By using the Service, you understand your information may be processed in countries other than your own, which may have different data-protection rules.

10 Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.

11 Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact us: