Bexul Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Bexul ("we," "our," or "us"). Bexul is a smart baking assistant application designed to help you with recipe remixes, kitchen rescue tips, baking guides, and AI-powered baking advice. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application.

By downloading, installing, or using Bexul, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the application.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: Display name, bio, and avatar image you set in your profile.
• Baking Content: Recipes, baking questions, kitchen journal entries, challenge progress, and rescue notes you create within the app.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Any text, images, or other content you submit, post, or share through the application's community or feedback features.
• Feedback and Reports: Information you provide when submitting feedback, guide reports, or contacting support.
• Voice Input: Audio data captured when you use the voice input feature for AI baking questions (processed in real-time and not stored on our servers).

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Usage Data: Activity logs including challenges completed, tools used, and features accessed.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system version, and app version for compatibility and troubleshooting purposes.

2.3 Information Collected Through In-App Purchases

• Transaction Data: Purchase history, subscription status, and transaction identifiers processed through Apple's App Store. We do not collect or store your payment card details — all payment processing is handled securely by Apple.
• Subscription Status: Whether you have an active premium subscription to unlock additional baking tools and features.

2.4 Permissions We Request

• Camera: Used to capture photos for your profile avatar or baking journal entries.
• Photo Library: Used to select existing images for your profile avatar or baking journal entries.
• Microphone: Used for voice input when asking AI baking questions via speech-to-text.
• Network Access: Required to communicate with AI services (DeepSeek AI) for baking advice, recipe remixes, and kitchen rescue responses.

3. AI-Powered Features & Third-Party AI Services

Bexul integrates DeepSeek AI to provide intelligent baking assistance, including recipe remixes, kitchen rescue advice, and conversational baking help.

3.1 Information Shared with DeepSeek AI

• Your baking questions and recipe text submitted to AI features
• Tool preferences such as remix goals and rescue details
• Voice-transcribed text when using speech-to-text for AI queries

3.2 Information NOT Shared with DeepSeek AI

• Your name or personal identification
• Your location or device information
• Your kitchen journal or history data
• Your profile avatar or personal images

3.3 AI Data Retention

We do not retain AI conversation data on our servers. AI responses are generated in real-time and stored locally on your device as part of your chat history. You may delete your local chat history at any time through the app settings.

4. In-App Purchases & Subscriptions

Bexul offers optional in-app purchases and subscriptions to unlock premium baking tools and features.

• All transactions are processed securely through Apple's App Store payment system.
• We do not collect, process, or store any credit card numbers, bank account details, or other financial information.
• Subscription management (including cancellation) is handled through your Apple ID account settings.
• We receive confirmation of purchase status from Apple to enable premium features.

For information about Apple's payment processing practices, please refer to Apple's Privacy Policy.

5. User-Generated Content (UGC) Policy

Bexul allows users to create and share baking-related content. By submitting content, you agree to the following guidelines and restrictions.

5.1 Acceptable Content

Content must be related to baking, cooking, kitchen activities, food preparation, or related lifestyle topics. This includes recipes, baking tips, kitchen photos, journal entries, and baking challenge submissions.

5.2 Strictly Prohibited Content

• Sexual or Pornographic Content: Any sexually explicit material, nudity, sexual solicitation, or content of a sexual nature. This includes suggestive imagery, sexual innuendo intended to arouse, or links to adult content.
• Disturbing or Graphic Content: Content that is designed to shock, disgust, or cause discomfort to others, including graphic violence, gore, mutilation, animal cruelty, or depictions of death and suffering.
• Gambling Content: Promotion, advertisement, or facilitation of gambling activities, online casinos, sports betting, lottery schemes, or any form of wagering for money or prizes.
• Drug-Related Content: Promotion, sale, or glorification of illegal drugs, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or substance abuse. This includes instructions for manufacturing or obtaining illegal substances.
• Political Content: Political campaigning, propaganda, partisan political messaging, election interference content, or content designed to influence political opinions or outcomes.
• Discriminatory Content: Content that promotes hatred, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
• Harassment and Bullying: Content that targets, threatens, intimidates, or harasses specific individuals, including doxxing, stalking, or coordinated harassment campaigns.
• Terrorism and Extremism: Content that promotes, supports, or glorifies terrorist organizations, extremist ideologies, or acts of terrorism.
• Misinformation: Deliberately false or misleading content that could cause harm, including health misinformation, dangerous food safety claims, or fraudulent advice.
• Intellectual Property Violations: Content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights of third parties.
• Spam and Scams: Unsolicited commercial content, phishing attempts, pyramid schemes, or fraudulent offers.
• Self-Harm Content: Content that promotes, encourages, or provides instructions for self-harm or suicide.
• Child Safety Violations: Any content that exploits, endangers, or sexualizes minors in any way.

5.3 Enforcement

We reserve the right to:

• Remove any content that violates these guidelines without prior notice.
• Suspend or permanently terminate accounts that repeatedly violate content policies.
• Report illegal content to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
• Block users who engage in prohibited behavior.
• Cooperate with law enforcement investigations related to prohibited content.

5.4 Reporting

Users can report inappropriate content through the in-app feedback and reporting features. We review all reports and take appropriate action within a reasonable timeframe.

6. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and maintain the Bexul baking assistant features
• To personalize your baking experience and challenge recommendations
• To process AI-powered baking queries and deliver relevant responses
• To manage your account and profile preferences
• To process in-app purchases and manage subscription access
• To improve our application and develop new baking features
• To enforce our content policies and community guidelines
• To respond to your feedback and support requests
• To comply with legal obligations

7. Data Storage & Security

Your baking data (recipes, journal entries, challenge progress, chat history) is stored locally on your device. We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your information.

• Local data is stored using iOS secure storage mechanisms.
• Network communications with AI services use TLS/SSL encryption.
• We do not maintain centralized servers storing your personal baking data.
• Profile and preference data remains on your device unless you explicitly choose to share it.

8. GDPR Compliance (European Economic Area Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

8.1 Your Rights

• Right of Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You may request correction of inaccurate personal data.
• Right to Erasure: You may request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: You may request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You may object to processing of your personal data.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

8.2 Legal Basis for Processing

• Consent: For AI data sharing, voice input processing, and optional features.
• Contract Performance: To provide the baking assistant services you requested.
• Legitimate Interest: To improve our services and ensure platform safety.
• Legal Obligation: To comply with applicable laws and regulations.

8.3 Data Transfers

When you use AI features, your baking queries are transmitted to DeepSeek AI servers. By consenting to AI features, you acknowledge this data transfer. All transfers are protected by encryption.

8.4 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of your GDPR rights, please contact us at bexulinfo@bexulapp.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

9. Data Retention

• Local app data is retained on your device until you delete the app or clear data through settings.
• AI conversation data is stored locally and can be cleared at any time.
• In-app purchase records are maintained by Apple per their retention policies.
• If you request account deletion, we will remove all associated data within 30 days.

10. Children's Privacy

Bexul is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18 years of age. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a person under 18, we will take steps to delete that information immediately.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at bexulinfo@bexulapp.com.

11. Your Choices & Controls

• AI Consent: You can choose to decline AI data sharing. The app's non-AI features remain fully functional without consent.
• Permissions: You can revoke camera, photo library, and microphone permissions at any time through iOS Settings.
• Data Deletion: You can delete your local data through the app's Settings & Privacy section.
• Subscription: You can manage or cancel subscriptions through your Apple ID settings.
• Content Blocking: You can block content or users through the in-app blocking features.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy within the application and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of Bexul after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information is collected about you.
• Know whether your personal information is sold or disclosed and to whom.
• Request deletion of your personal information.
• Not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights.

We do not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, contact us at bexulinfo@bexulapp.com.