Privacy Policy

1. Overview

MatchaFinder ("we", "us", or "our") operates this website to help people discover matcha cafés and tea houses near them. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding that information. By using our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

Information you provide

We do not require you to create an account or provide personal information to use MatchaFinder. If you contact us through any available channel, we may retain the content of your message and any information you choose to include.

Information collected automatically

• Location data: If you use the "Near Me" feature, your browser will prompt you to share your approximate location. We use this only to return relevant search results and do not store or transmit it to third parties.
• Search queries: Search terms you enter may be logged temporarily to improve result quality. These logs do not include identifying information.
• Usage data: We may collect standard server logs including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps to operate and maintain the service.

3. Cookies and Tracking

MatchaFinder may use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences and understand how the site is used. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features may not function as expected. We do not use cookies for targeted advertising.

4. How We Use Information

• To deliver and improve the core search functionality
• To diagnose technical issues and monitor site performance
• To understand how visitors use the site in aggregate
• To comply with legal obligations

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Third-Party Services

Our search functionality may rely on third-party mapping and geocoding services (such as OpenStreetMap/Nominatim). Your queries may be transmitted to these services to return location-based results. Please review their respective privacy policies for details on how they handle data.

6. Data Retention

Server logs and temporary search data are retained only as long as operationally necessary, typically no longer than 90 days, after which they are deleted or anonymized.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data we hold about you, or to object to certain processing activities. Because we collect minimal personal data, many of these rights may be exercised simply by not using the service or by clearing your browser data.

8. Children's Privacy

MatchaFinder is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please let us know so we can delete it.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no internet transmission is completely secure and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, the "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised. Continued use of the site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.