Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2026

theScoop (“theScoop,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) values privacy and transparency. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when guests and restaurant partners use our platform, website, and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

By using the Service, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

 

1. Overview & Core Principles

theScoop is designed around private, anonymous guest feedback and restaurant-only insights.

  • Guest feedback is anonymous by default

  • Guests are not required to create accounts

  • Feedback is not public

  • Data is not sold to third parties

  • Restaurants control access to their own data

Privacy is not an afterthought — it is a core feature of the platform.

 

2. Information We Collect

A. Guest Feedback (Anonymous)

When guests submit feedback through theScoop:

  • Ratings (e.g., taste, presentation, value)

  • Optional written notes

  • Dish or menu item selections

  • General, non-identifying device information

We do not collect:

  • Names

  • Email addresses

  • Phone numbers

  • Account credentials

Guest feedback is anonymous and cannot be used by restaurants to identify an individual.

 

B. Restaurant Account Information

When restaurant staff create and manage accounts, we may collect:

  • Name

  • Business email address

  • Restaurant name and location

  • Login credentials (stored securely)

  • Role-based access information (e.g., chef, manager, admin)

This information is used solely to provide access to the Service.

 

C. Payment & Billing Information

theScoop may accept payments through third-party payment processors such as Stripe.

  • Payment details (e.g., credit card numbers) are processed and stored by Stripe

  • theScoop does not store full payment card information

  • We may store billing contact information and subscription status for account management purposes

Stripe’s use of your information is governed by their own privacy policy.

 

D. Automatically Collected Information

We may collect limited technical data to operate and secure the Service, including:

  • IP address (used internally for security, fraud prevention, and abuse detection)

  • Browser type and device information

  • Date and time of access

  • Pages or features accessed

IP addresses are not shown to restaurants and are never used to identify guests.

 

3. Cookies & Analytics

theScoop uses cookies and similar technologies to operate the Service and understand usage patterns.

We may use Google Analytics to collect aggregated, anonymized information such as:

  • Page views

  • Feature usage

  • Traffic sources

  • General geographic region (not precise location)

This data helps us improve performance and usability.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings.

 

4. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

  • Deliver and operate the Service

  • Provide restaurants with private, dish-level insights

  • Improve features and user experience

  • Process payments and manage subscriptions

  • Maintain platform security and prevent abuse

  • Communicate with restaurant account holders

We do not use guest feedback for advertising or marketing to guests.

 

5. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell personal data.

We may share information only in the following limited cases:

  • With service providers (e.g., hosting, analytics, payment processing) under strict confidentiality obligations

  • For legal compliance, if required by law or valid legal process

  • To protect rights and safety, including fraud prevention or security incidents

Guest feedback remains private and accessible only to the associated restaurant.

 

6. Data Ownership & Access

  • Restaurants retain access to their own feedback data

  • Guests do not have public profiles or accounts

  • theScoop does not publish or syndicate feedback publicly

If a restaurant account is terminated, data may be retained for a limited period in accordance with legal and operational requirements.

 

7. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including:

  • Secure authentication

  • Encrypted data transmission

  • Restricted internal access

  • Industry-standard infrastructure providers

No system is 100% secure, but we actively work to safeguard data.

 

8. Data Retention

  • Guest feedback is retained to provide historical insights to restaurants

  • Account and billing data is retained as long as necessary for business and legal purposes

  • Data may be anonymized or deleted upon account termination, subject to applicable laws

 

9. Children’s Privacy

theScoop is not intended for children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

 

10. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable privacy laws (including CCPA and GDPR), such as:

  • Requesting access to or deletion of personal data

  • Correcting inaccurate information

  • Objecting to certain processing activities

Requests can be made using the contact information below.

 

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Continued use of the Service after changes indicates acceptance.

 

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

theScoop
support@thescoop.io