# Data Deletion Instructions for WorldEats

At WorldEats, we value your privacy and give you full control over your data. If you wish to delete your account and remove all associated personal information from our systems, please follow the steps below.

## How to Delete Your Account

### Option 1: In-App Deletion (Recommended)
1. Open the **WorldEats** App.
2. Go to the **Profile** tab.
3. Tap the **Settings** (gear icon) in the top right corner.
4. Select **Account Settings**.
5. Tap **Delete Account**.
6. Confirm your choice. This action is permanent and cannot be undone.

### Option 2: Request via Email
If you are unable to access the app, you can request data deletion via email:
1. Send an email to **support@worldeats.example.com**.
2. Use the subject line: **Data Deletion Request**.
3. Include the **email address** associated with your WorldEats account.
4. We will process your request within 7 business days.

## What Data is Deleted?
When you delete your account, the following data is permanently removed from our Firebase production servers:
- **Profile Information:** Your name, email, and avatar URL.
- **Created Recipes:** Any recipes you have published or saved as drafts.
- **Interactions:** Your "Saved Recipes" list and "Liked Recipes" history.
- **Comments:** Any comments you have left on other users' recipes.

## Data Retention Exceptions
Some non-identifiable data may remain in our logs for a limited period for security and analytical purposes:
- **Crash Logs:** Anonymous technical data in Firebase Crashlytics.
- **Aggregate Analytics:** Anonymous usage patterns in Firebase Analytics that cannot be linked back to an individual.
- **Backups:** Data may persist in encrypted system backups for up to 30 days before being fully overwritten.

For more information, please refer to our [Privacy Policy](./PrivacyPolicy.md).