Privacy policy
Alchemy turns recipes into meals that work for real life. This page describes what the app collects, where that data goes, and the choices you have. The short version: the app works without an account, your data stays on your device unless you sign in, and we run no behavioral analytics and show no ads.
Without an account
You can browse recipes, build a shopping list, and manage your kitchen without an account. Everything you create this way — recipes, pantry items, your shopping list, taste and dietary settings — is stored in your browser's local storage on your device. It is not sent to us.
With an account
Signing in with Google gives us your name, email address, and profile photo from Google. Your saved recipes, pantry, shopping list, and taste and dietary preferences (including any allergies you set) then sync to Google Firebase (Firestore) so your devices stay consistent and sharing works. AI features require a signed-in account.
Where your data goes
- Google Firebase — sign-in (authentication) and storage and sync of the data listed above.
- Google Vertex AI — when you use an AI feature (importing a recipe from a photo or page, generating or adapting a recipe, Ask Alchemy), the content you submit — recipe text, links, photos — is sent to Google's Vertex AI to produce the result. We do not use your content to train models.
- Sentry — crash diagnostics. If the app hits an error, a diagnostic report is sent to Sentry. That report can include a session replay of the screens leading up to the error, with all text masked and images blocked. We do not record sessions that have no errors.
- Our backend — two narrow jobs: when you connect a Kroger account, it handles the sign-in handshake with Kroger so your credentials never pass through the app; and when you share a recipe or list, it stores the shared snapshot so the link works and renders a preview card.
Sharing
A share link is public: anyone who has the link can view the shared recipe or list snapshot. Share something only if you are comfortable with that. Your private library is never public.
Feedback
If you send feedback from Settings, we receive your message, the app version, and a coarse device class (such as phone or desktop). Nothing else rides along.
Your choices
- Use the app without an account — the core features do not require one.
- Disconnect Kroger at any time in Settings.
- Ask us to export or delete your synced data by emailing support@tryalchemy.app. We will act on verified requests within 30 days.
Retention
Synced data is kept until you delete it or ask us to. Diagnostic reports are retained by Sentry for a limited period and then deleted. Shared snapshots persist while their link remains active.
Children
Alchemy is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.
Changes
If this policy changes in a way that matters, we will update this page and the date above.
Contact
Questions about your data: support@tryalchemy.app