PRIVACY POLICY

Last updated: November 29, 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how Three Columns LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects information when you use our mobile applications, websites, and related services, including our main site at threecolumnsllc.com. This Policy applies to our current and future apps, websites, and related services that link to or reference this Privacy Policy.

We believe your data belongs to you. We do not sell your personal information and do not share it with data brokers or unrelated third parties for their own independent marketing purposes. We collect only the information reasonably necessary to operate our apps and websites, provide features such as cloud backup, sync, subscriptions, notifications, and advertising where applicable, improve performance and reliability, and comply with legal and platform requirements.

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you can contact us at support3@threecolumnsllc.com.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What Information Do We Collect?

The information we collect depends on how you interact with our apps and websites, the features you use, and the choices you make. In general, we aim to collect only what is necessary for functionality and service improvement.

Information You Voluntarily Provide

You may choose to provide certain information directly to us when you: use our apps or websites, contact support, or configure app settings.

If you choose to create an account, enable backup, or use sharing features, we may associate your information with a username or similar identifier to provide those features.

This can include:

  • A display name or username (for example, when creating a profile or enabling cloud sync)
  • Email address or other contact details when you reach out to us for support
  • Preferences such as language, theme (light/dark mode), font size, or notification settings
  • User-created content, such as:
    • Lists (e.g., allergen lists, recipe lists, or saved items)
    • Notes or other personal entries you choose to store
  • Family plan membership details (for example, the organizer account and invited members, where supported)

We do not request or require sensitive personal information such as medical diagnoses, financial account numbers, government identifiers, or biometric data. If you choose to store any information that could be considered sensitive (for example, personal notes), that content remains under your control and is processed only as necessary to provide app functionality.

Information Collected Automatically

When you use our apps or visit our websites, certain technical information may be collected automatically. This helps us keep our services running reliably, understand performance, and detect issues.

  • Device details (device model, operating system version)
  • App details (app version, basic configuration settings)
  • IP address and general location (e.g., country or region, not precise GPS)
  • Crash logs and error diagnostics
  • Usage data, such as:
    • How often you open the app
    • Which main screens or features you use
    • Basic interaction patterns that help us improve usability

In apps that include scanning or recognition features (such as image or text scanning), content may be processed on-device or temporarily in memory to provide results. We do not store scanned images or extracted text unless you explicitly choose to save that information.

Advertising & Analytics Data

Some of our apps display ads or use analytics services to understand how people use them. These services may collect data such as:

  • Advertising identifiers (for example, IDFA on iOS or GAID on Android)
  • Approximate location (for regional relevance of ads or analytics)
  • Device and network information (device type, language, time zone)
  • Interactions with ads (views, taps, impressions)
  • Conversion-related data when you arrive via an ad (for example, from Google Ads)

This information is generally used in aggregated or de-identified form to measure app performance, detect fraud or abuse, and improve ad relevance. You can usually reset or limit advertising identifiers in your device settings.

We may use third-party services such as Google AdMob and its mediation partners to display ads and analyze usage.

Cloud Storage (e.g., Google Firestore)

Some of our apps use cloud-based storage services (such as Google Firestore) to sync and back up limited user data across devices or to restore your information if you reinstall an app. Examples of the types of data that may be stored in this way include:

  • Your chosen username or display name
  • Lists, recipes, or other content you create in supported apps
  • Non-sensitive usage counters (such as scan counts or progress markers)
  • Subscription or entitlement status (for example, whether certain features are unlocked)
  • Family plan relationships (organizer and members) where supported

We use this cloud data only to provide and maintain features that you choose to use, such as backup, cross-device sync, or subscription recognition.

Cloud storage is used only when necessary for selected features such as backup, sync, or account-related functionality and is not required for basic app functionality.

2. How Do We Process Your Information?

We process your information for specific, limited purposes. We do not use your data for unrelated or unexpected purposes without notifying you and, where required, obtaining your consent.

We process information to:

  • Provide core app functionality
    For example, saving your preferences, lists, or other user-created content and making sure features behave as expected on your device.
  • Sync and back up data (where enabled)
    When cloud sync is available and you choose to use it, we store certain data (like usernames or lists) to keep your experience consistent across devices.
  • Manage subscriptions and entitlements
    We may process purchase and entitlement information so that paid features unlock correctly and remain available across installations or devices, subject to store rules.
  • Display advertisements
    Some apps show ads using third-party ad networks (such as Google AdMob and mediation partners). These networks use certain device and interaction data to provide, measure, and improve advertising.
  • Send optional notifications
    Where supported, we may send local or push notifications (for example, reminders, helpful tips, or promotional messages). You can control notifications in your app or system settings.
  • Improve and secure our services
    We use logs, diagnostics, and aggregated usage data to troubleshoot issues, monitor performance, prevent abuse or fraud, and enhance the overall experience.
  • Request app store reviews
    We may show a system prompt asking you to rate or review the app. Any public review you submit is handled by the relevant app store, not by us directly.
  • Respond to support requests
    When you contact us, we process the information you provide (such as your email and description of the issue) to help resolve your question or problem.

3. Legal Bases for Processing

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or another region with similar laws, we rely on certain legal bases to process your personal data:

  • Consent: For example, when you enable notifications or allow personalized ads where required.
  • Legitimate interests: To maintain and improve our apps, prevent fraud, and understand usage patterns.
  • Contract: To provide services you have requested, such as paid subscriptions or purchased features.
  • Legal obligations: When we must process data to comply with a law or respond to lawful requests.

4. When Do We Share Your Information?

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We only share information with third parties in limited circumstances, primarily to operate our apps or comply with the law.

We may share information with:

  • Service providers and partners
    For example, cloud hosting providers, analytics platforms, and advertising networks that help us run, secure, and improve our apps.
  • Advertising networks
    Third-party ad networks (such as Google AdMob and mediation partners) may receive certain device and usage data to serve and measure ads within our apps.
  • Mobile app stores
    Apple App Store, Google Play, or other store providers may receive purchase and device information in order to process payments, verify subscriptions, or apply refunds.
  • Authorities or legal requests
    We may share information if required by law, legal process, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of our users, the public, or our company.

Each service provider is only allowed to use your information as necessary to provide services to us and not for their own separate marketing purposes, unless they have a separate direct relationship with you.

We do not share personal information with third parties for their own independent marketing or advertising purposes.

5. Third-Party Websites

Our apps and websites may include links to third-party websites or services, such as support pages, external resources, or legal references. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support basic functionality, preferences, and analytics. For more detailed information about how cookies are used on our website, please see our Cookie Policy at https://threecolumnsllc.com/cookies.html

Our mobile apps do not use cookies in the traditional web sense, but they may use mobile identifiers (such as advertising IDs and instance IDs) for analytics, crash reporting, and advertising purposes. You can usually reset or restrict such identifiers in your device’s settings.

7. Data Retention

We keep personal data for as long as necessary to provide the relevant service, fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by law (for example, for tax or accounting reasons).

If you request that we delete your information, we will take reasonable steps to do so, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the information we process. These measures are designed to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal data. These can include:

  • The right to access information we hold about you
  • The right to correct inaccurate or incomplete information
  • The right to request deletion of your data, subject to legal exceptions
  • The right to object to certain types of processing or withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
  • The right to request a copy of your data in a portable format, where technically feasible

To exercise these rights, you can contact us using the details in the “Contact Information” section below. We will respond in accordance with applicable law.

10. Do-Not-Track Signals

Some browsers include a Do-Not-Track (“DNT”) setting that can signal websites you visit that you do not want your online activity to be tracked. Because there is currently no universally agreed-upon standard for what DNT means, our services do not respond to DNT signals at this time.

11. U.S. State Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of certain U.S. states, such as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Virginia, or others with similar laws, you may have additional rights under state privacy laws. These can include the right to know what categories of personal information we collect, use, and disclose, and the right to request access or deletion of your data.

We do not sell personal information as defined under these state laws. If you wish to exercise your rights under state privacy laws, please contact us using the details below. We will evaluate your request and respond as required by law.

12. International Privacy Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or other jurisdictions with privacy laws, you may have additional rights under those laws similar to the ones described above.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority or regulator if you believe we have not handled your personal data in accordance with applicable laws. We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to address your concerns directly.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our apps, services, or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. In some cases, we may provide additional notice (such as a message in the app) if changes are material.

We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you may contact us at:

Email: support3@threecolumnsllc.com

You may also contact us by mail at the address listed on our website or corporate materials.

15. Review or Delete Your Data

To request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal data we may hold about you, please contact us at:
support3@threecolumnsllc.com

When you contact us, please provide enough detail to help us identify you and the relevant app or service, so we can locate your data and respond appropriately.