FoodPulse — Cookie Policy
FoodPulse(™) is a property of Social Pulse® Inc platform. FoodPulse ("FoodPulse.net," "we," "our," or "us") uses cookies and similar technologies to provide, protect, improve, and personalize our services. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, why we use them, the types of cookies we use, how you can control them, and your rights regarding cookies.
1.Introduction
This Cookie Policy applies to:
- FoodPulse.net
- FoodPulse mobile applications
- Marketplace services
- Business Portal
- AI services
- APIs (where applicable)
- All related FoodPulse services
This Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and Community Guidelines.
2.What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. Cookies allow websites to:
- Remember your preferences
- Keep you signed in
- Improve security
- Measure website performance
- Personalize content
- Support marketplace functionality
- Improve user experience
Cookies do not normally contain information that directly identifies you, but they may be associated with information stored in your account.
3.Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, FoodPulse may use technologies including:
- Web Beacons
- Pixel Tags
- Local Storage
- Session Storage
- SDKs (mobile applications)
- Device Identifiers
- Log Files
- Server-side Tracking
- API Tokens
- Authentication Tokens
Throughout this Policy, these technologies are collectively referred to as "Cookies."
4.Why FoodPulse Uses Cookies
Cookies help FoodPulse:
- Operate the Platform
- Secure user accounts
- Authenticate users
- Remember login sessions
- Save language preferences
- Save accessibility settings
- Remember shopping carts
- Process marketplace transactions
- Display nearby food offers
- Improve AI recommendations
- Improve search
- Analyze website performance
- Detect fraud
- Prevent abuse
- Improve security
- Measure advertising effectiveness
- Personalize user experiences
5.Types of Cookies We Use
A. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of FoodPulse. Examples include:
- User authentication
- Security tokens
- Login sessions
- Shopping cart
- Marketplace checkout
- Fraud prevention
- Load balancing
- Network management
Without these cookies, FoodPulse cannot function properly. Consent is generally not required for these cookies where permitted by law.
B. Functional Cookies
These cookies remember user preferences. Examples:
- Language
- Country
- Theme (light/dark mode)
- Accessibility settings
- Saved searches
- Preferred marketplace location
- Favorite food categories
C. Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how FoodPulse performs. Examples:
- Pages visited
- Popular recipes
- Search performance
- Feature usage
- Loading speed
- Navigation behavior
- Error reporting
Performance cookies help us improve the Platform.
D. Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use FoodPulse. Information may include:
- Number of visitors
- Returning visitors
- Traffic sources
- Time spent on pages
- Device types
- Browser types
- Geographic regions (approximate)
Analytics data is generally aggregated and used to improve our services.
E. Personalization Cookies
These cookies help personalize your experience. Examples:
- Recommended recipes
- Nearby food deals
- Suggested businesses
- Personalized homepage
- AI recommendations
- Favorite products
- Previously viewed foods
F. Advertising Cookies
Where permitted by law and with your consent where required, advertising cookies may be used to:
- Display relevant advertisements
- Limit repeated advertisements
- Measure campaign effectiveness
- Support sponsored listings
- Measure marketplace promotions
FoodPulse does not sell personal information for monetary consideration. Where applicable law defines certain advertising activities as a "sale" or "sharing" of personal information, users may exercise available opt-out rights.
G. Social Media Cookies
If you interact with social media features on FoodPulse, cookies may be placed by third-party social media providers. These cookies are governed by the privacy policies of those providers.
6.Session Cookies
Session cookies:
- Exist only while your browser remains open.
- Are automatically deleted when your session ends.
- Help maintain secure logins.
- Keep marketplace carts active.
7.Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies remain on your device after you leave FoodPulse until they expire or are deleted. These cookies help remember:
- Login preferences
- Language
- User settings
- Accessibility preferences
- Saved marketplace preferences
8.Third-Party Cookies
Some FoodPulse services may use trusted third-party providers for:
- Website analytics
- Payment processing
- Fraud detection
- Maps
- Delivery services
- Customer support
- Advertising
- Embedded videos
- Business verification
Third parties may place cookies subject to their own privacy policies. FoodPulse does not control third-party cookies.
9.AI Services
FoodPulse AI may use cookies or similar technologies to:
- Remember conversation preferences
- Improve AI performance
- Prevent abuse
- Maintain session continuity
- Improve food recommendations
AI-related cookies are used only as necessary to provide and improve AI-powered services.
10.Marketplace Cookies
Marketplace functionality may use cookies to:
- Maintain shopping carts
- Remember favorite products
- Track order progress
- Save delivery preferences
- Support checkout
- Prevent fraudulent transactions
These cookies are generally necessary for marketplace operations.
11.Business Portal Cookies
Business accounts may use cookies to:
- Maintain secure sessions
- Access dashboards
- Manage inventory
- View analytics
- Process orders
- Upload products
- Verify businesses
12.Managing Cookies
You can manage cookies through:
- Browser settings
- Mobile device settings
- Cookie Preferences Center
- Privacy settings within FoodPulse
- Third-party opt-out tools (where available)
Blocking some cookies may reduce or disable certain FoodPulse features.
13.Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to:
- View cookies
- Delete cookies
- Block cookies
- Block third-party cookies
- Delete cookies automatically when closing the browser
- Receive cookie notifications
Instructions vary by browser.
14.Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting. Because there is no universally accepted standard for responding to DNT signals, FoodPulse currently responds to browser-based privacy signals only where required by applicable law. Where legally required, FoodPulse will recognize supported browser or device privacy preference signals.
15.Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to:
- Accept cookies
- Reject non-essential cookies
- Withdraw consent
- Access personal information
- Delete personal information
- Correct information
- Restrict processing
- Object to certain processing
- Opt out of targeted advertising where applicable
FoodPulse will honor these rights as required by applicable law.
16.International Users
FoodPulse operates globally. Cookies may process information across multiple countries. Where required by law, international transfers of personal information collected through cookies will be protected using appropriate safeguards.
17.Cookie Retention
Different cookies remain active for different periods. Typical durations:
- Session Cookies — Until browser closes
- Authentication Cookies — Up to 30 days
- Preference Cookies — Up to 12 months
- Analytics Cookies — Up to 24 months
- Advertising Cookies — Up to 13 months (or as required by applicable law)
- Security Cookies — As necessary for security purposes
Actual retention periods may vary depending on legal requirements, technical needs, and user preferences.
18.Updates to This Cookie Policy
FoodPulse may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
- Changes in technology
- New Platform features
- Legal requirements
- Security improvements
- Business practices
Material changes will be communicated through appropriate channels, such as website notices, account notifications, or email where required by law. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy indicates when the latest version became effective.
19.Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or your cookie preferences, please contact FoodPulse through the contact methods listed on our website. Depending on your request, dedicated contact channels may be available for:
- Privacy Inquiries
- Cookie Preferences
- Data Protection Requests
- Customer Support
- Business Accounts
- Security Reports