Data Policy
Last updated: April 19, 2026
At WellCooked.ca, we believe in transparency about how we collect, use, and protect your data. This Data Policy explains what information we gather and how it is handled.
1. What Data We Collect
We collect the following types of information:
a) Information You Provide
- Account registration: username, email address, and password
- Profile information: name, profile picture, country (optional)
- Content: recipes, comments, ratings, and photos you submit
- Contact forms: your name, email, and message content
b) Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data: pages visited, recipes viewed, search queries
- Device information: browser type, operating system, screen resolution
- IP address: used for security, analytics, and approximate geolocation
- Cookies: session cookies for authentication and language preferences
2. How We Use Your Data
Your data is used to:
- Provide and improve our recipe-sharing platform
- Manage your account and authenticate your sessions
- Display your published recipes and comments to the community
- Remember your language preference (English or French)
- Analyze site usage and performance to improve the user experience
- Respond to your inquiries via the contact form
- Ensure security and prevent abuse of our platform
3. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share data only in the following circumstances:
- Public content: Recipes, comments, and profile information you choose to publish are visible to all visitors
- Service providers: We may use trusted third-party services (e.g., hosting, analytics) that process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and the safety of our users
4. Data Storage & Security
Your data is stored on secure servers located in Canada. We implement industry-standard security measures including:
- HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
- Password hashing (your password is never stored in plain text)
- Regular security updates and monitoring
- Access controls limiting who can view personal data
5. Data Retention
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If you request account deletion:
- Your personal information will be removed within 30 days
- Published recipes and comments may be anonymized rather than deleted to preserve community content
- Backup copies may persist for up to 90 days before being permanently erased
6. Your Rights
Under applicable Canadian and Quebec privacy laws, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Delete your account and personal data
- Withdraw consent for data processing at any time
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our Contact page.
7. Cookies
WellCooked.ca uses cookies for:
- Essential cookies: session management and authentication
- Preference cookies: remembering your language choice (EN/FR)
- Analytics cookies: understanding how visitors use our site
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect your ability to use certain features.
8. Children's Data
WellCooked.ca is not directed at children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Data Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
10. Contact Us
For any questions or concerns about this Data Policy, please reach out through our Contact page.