Privacy Policy

Last updated: 05/04/2026

1. Data Controller

Hot Sauce Club is the data controller for personal data collected on this website. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR.

2. Data We Collect

We collect the following personal data: email address and username when you register; profile information you voluntarily provide; authentication data when you log in via Google OAuth; usage data such as reviews, favorites, and preferences stored in your account.

3. How We Use Your Data

Your data is used to: create and manage your account; authenticate you and secure your session; personalize your experience (theme, language, font size preferences); display your contributions (reviews, proposals); send transactional emails (account verification, deletion notices); and improve our service.

4. Data Retention

Your data is retained for as long as your account is active. When you request account deletion, your account is scheduled for permanent deletion after a 30-day grace period. Reviews are anonymized (user link removed) but may be retained for community integrity. You may request immediate deletion by contacting us.

5. Your Rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to: access your personal data; rectify inaccurate data; erase your data ("right to be forgotten"); restrict or object to processing; data portability. To exercise these rights, use your account settings or contact us directly.

6. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services: Google OAuth for optional social login (governed by their respective privacy policies); Umami Analytics for anonymized, cookie-free website statistics (no personal data transmitted). We do not sell your data to third parties.

7. Cookies and Analytics

We use a session cookie essential for authentication and a preference cookie to remember your theme, language, and font size settings. We use Umami Analytics, which does not use cookies and does not collect personal data. No third-party advertising cookies are used on this site.

8. Contact

For any questions about this privacy policy or to exercise your rights, please use our contact page. We will respond within 30 days.