Last updated 14 September 2026

Privacy Policy

This policy explains how Garak collects, uses, shares, protects, and deletes personal data.

1. Data we collect

• Account: Google account identifier, verified email address, display name, and profile picture.
• Food posts: title, optional description, pictures, availability, pickup area, and exact location.
• Communication and safety: messages, blocks, reports, and support requests.
• Technical data: limited request and security data needed to operate and protect Garak.

2. How we use data

We use data to sign users in, show and find food posts, calculate distance, provide messaging and support, prevent abuse, review reports, moderate accounts, secure the service, and process deletion requests.

3. Location

Garak requests foreground location only when you search nearby or create a post. We do not track location in the background. A post’s exact location is stored but never shown to other users; they see only the pickup area and rounded distance.

4. Visibility and sharing

Other users can see your name, profile picture, posts, pictures, pickup area, availability, and rounded distance. Your email, Google identifier, and exact location remain private. Messages are visible to their participants. Authorized moderators can access reports and support requests when needed.

We share data with service providers only as needed for authentication, hosting, storage, and support. We do not sell personal data or use it for advertising.

5. Security

We use encrypted connections, access controls, and private image storage. Chat messages are encrypted while stored, but they are not end-to-end encrypted.

6. Retention and deletion

We keep account data and user content until the account is deleted.

Deleting the account permanently deletes its associated data and images. Image deletion may be delayed if storage is temporarily unavailable. Deleted data may remain in backups until they expire but will not be restored.

7. Your choices

You can edit your posts, block or unblock users, contact support, sign out, and permanently delete your account. If you cannot access the app, use the account-deletion page.

8. Age

Garak is intended only for people aged 18 or older.

9. Contact and changes

Email [email protected] with privacy questions. We may update this policy when Garak changes and will publish the new version here with an updated date.