Parallel Meals ("we," "our," or "us") is an Irish-owned meal delivery service committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website and use our meal delivery subscription services.

This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable Irish and EU data protection laws.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

When you register for an account, subscribe to our meal delivery service, or place an order, we may collect:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number)
• Delivery address (for weekly meal deliveries on Sunday or Tuesday)
• Billing information and payment details (processed securely through Stripe)
• Dietary preferences, restrictions, and meal selections
• Subscription preferences (order frequency, pause/cancel requests)
• Order history and delivery tracking information

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website addresses
• Clickstream data and usage patterns

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process and fulfill your weekly meal orders and deliveries (Sunday or Tuesday)
• Manage your flexible subscription (order, pause, or cancel anytime)
• Send order reminders before our Thursday 6pm cutoff time via email and text
• Communicate with you about deliveries, menu changes, and service updates
• Prepare fresh, home-cooked meals based on your dietary preferences
• Improve our menu, recipes, and meal delivery services
• Personalize your experience and meal recommendations
• Send marketing communications about new menu items and promotions (with your consent)
• Process payments securely and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

Under GDPR, we process your personal data based on:

• Contract Performance: To fulfill our contract with you (processing orders, deliveries)
• Consent: For marketing communications and non-essential cookies
• Legitimate Interests: To improve our services and prevent fraud
• Legal Obligation: To comply with tax, accounting, and legal requirements

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

4.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us provide and improve our services.

4.2 Types of Cookies We Use

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through our cookie consent banner that appears on your first visit. You can:

• Accept all cookies
• Decline non-essential cookies
• Manage your browser settings to block cookies

Note: Blocking essential cookies may affect website functionality.

5. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with:

• Service Providers: Payment processors (Stripe), delivery partners for Sunday/Tuesday deliveries, email and SMS notification services, cloud hosting providers
• Local Suppliers: We may share dietary requirements with our local Irish ingredient suppliers to ensure quality and freshness
• Analytics Partners: Vercel Analytics, Facebook Pixel (with your consent)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale, or acquisition

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We are an Irish-owned small business committed to protecting your privacy.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication
• Employee training on data protection

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our meal delivery services and maintain your flexible subscription account
• Maintain your meal preferences and order history for personalized service
• Comply with Irish legal, tax, and accounting obligations (typically 7 years)
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

When you cancel your subscription or request account deletion, we securely delete or anonymize your data after fulfilling any remaining legal obligations.

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

As an EU/Irish resident, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to Restriction: Limit how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured format
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing or cookies at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at help@parallelmeals.ie

9. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the EU/EEA. When we do this, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the EU Commission
• Adequacy decisions for certain countries
• Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or need assistance with your subscription, please contact us:

14. Supervisory Authority

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission: