1. Introduction

Snack Software, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), operates the Japanist website located at thejapanist.com and any related subdomains, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the “Service”). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect your personal information when you access or use our Service.

BY ACCESSING OR USING THE SERVICE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS PRIVACY POLICY, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE.

This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors, users, and others who access the Service (“Users”). We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Service after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the modified Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account or register for the Service
• Subscribe to our newsletter or mailing lists
• Complete forms, surveys, or questionnaires
• Participate in promotions, contests, or sweepstakes
• Contact us for customer support or inquiries
• Submit user-generated content, comments, or reviews
• Make purchases or transactions through the Service

Categories of personal information collected may include:

• Identifiers: Name, email address, username, postal address, telephone number
• Account Credentials: Password, security questions and answers
• Profile Information: Profile picture, biography, preferences, interests
• Commercial Information: Purchase history, payment information, billing address
• User Content: Comments, reviews, photos, and other content you submit
• Communications: Messages, feedback, and correspondence with us

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access or use the Service, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, browser type and version, language preferences
• Network Information: Internet Protocol (IP) address, Internet Service Provider (ISP), mobile carrier
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, links clicked, time spent on pages, access times and dates, referring/exit URLs, search queries within the Service
• Location Data: General geographic location inferred from IP address; precise location data if you grant permission
• Log Data: Server logs, error reports, and diagnostic information

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, local storage, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your interactions with the Service. These technologies include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Service to function properly (authentication, security, accessibility)
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with the Service (analytics, error monitoring)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings (language, theme, location)
• Advertising/Targeting Cookies: Deliver relevant advertisements and measure advertising effectiveness

You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, this may impair your ability to use certain features of the Service. By using the Service with cookies enabled, you consent to our use of cookies as described herein.

2.4 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:

• Social media platforms (if you connect your account or interact with our social media presence)
• Authentication providers (Auth0, Google, etc.)
• Analytics providers (Google Analytics, Vercel Analytics)
• Advertising partners and networks
• Public databases and data aggregators

2.5 Google Maps and Location Services

The Service integrates Google Maps API(s) to provide location-based features. Your use of Google Maps through our Service is subject to Google's Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy). Google may collect location data and other information as described in their privacy policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for the following purposes:

• Service Provision: To provide, maintain, operate, and improve the Service
• Account Management: To create, manage, and secure your account
• Communications: To send administrative notices, service updates, security alerts, and support messages
• Personalization: To customize your experience, content, and recommendations
• Marketing: To send promotional communications (with your consent where required)
• Analytics: To analyze usage trends, monitor performance, and improve the Service
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Enforcement: To enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
• Business Operations: To conduct research, develop new features, and support business operations

3.1 Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or United Kingdom (UK), our legal bases for processing your personal data include:

• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to perform our contract with you
• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests, provided they are not overridden by your rights
• Consent: Processing based on your explicit consent
• Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We may disclose your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: To third-party vendors, contractors, and agents who perform services on our behalf (hosting, analytics, payment processing, customer support, email delivery)
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, financing, or bankruptcy proceeding involving the Company
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others
• Law Enforcement: To law enforcement agencies, government authorities, or other third parties as required or permitted by applicable law
• Consent: With your consent or at your direction
• Aggregated/De-identified Data: We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you

4.1 Third-Party Services

The Service may integrate with or contain links to third-party services, including but not limited to:

• Google Maps Platform (mapping and location services)
• Google Analytics (usage analytics)
• Auth0 (authentication services)
• Supabase (database and storage services)
• Vercel (hosting and analytics)
• Social media platforms

These third parties have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services.

5. International Data Transfers

The Company is based in the United States. Your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from your jurisdiction.

BY USING THE SERVICE, YOU CONSENT TO THE TRANSFER OF YOUR INFORMATION TO THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY.

For EEA/UK users, we implement appropriate safeguards for international transfers, including Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, where required.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Retention periods are determined based on:

• The duration of your relationship with us
• Legal obligations requiring retention of certain data
• Statute of limitations for potential legal claims
• Business needs and legitimate interests

When personal information is no longer necessary, we will securely delete or anonymize it. Certain information may be retained in backup systems for a reasonable period after deletion.

7. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures designed to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, access controls, secure data storage, and regular security assessments.

HOWEVER, NO METHOD OF TRANSMISSION OVER THE INTERNET OR ELECTRONIC STORAGE IS 100% SECURE. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ABSOLUTE SECURITY OF YOUR INFORMATION. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU PROVIDE YOUR INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for any activities that occur under your account.

8. Your Privacy Rights

8.1 General Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications

8.2 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information, subject to certain exceptions
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: Opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
• Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: Limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

Notice of Right to Opt-Out: We do not “sell” personal information as traditionally defined. However, certain data sharing for targeted advertising may constitute a “sale” or “sharing” under California law. To opt out, contact us at the information below or adjust your cookie preferences.

Financial Incentive Notice: We do not offer financial incentives for the collection, sale, retention, or deletion of personal information.

8.3 EEA/UK Rights (GDPR)

Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (UK) have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK GDPR, including the rights described in Section 8.1. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

8.4 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 12. We may require verification of your identity before processing your request. We will respond to requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.

9. Children's Privacy

THE SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 years of age. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 16 without verification of parental consent, we will delete that information promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately at the contact information below.

10. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want to be tracked. There is no uniform standard for responding to DNT signals. Currently, we do not respond to DNT signals in a standard manner, but we may update this policy as standards develop.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post any changes on this page and update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Privacy Policy.

YOUR CONTINUED USE OF THE SERVICE AFTER ANY CHANGES CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE REVISED PRIVACY POLICY. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. For material changes, we may provide additional notice, such as an email notification or prominent notice on the Service.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Snack Software, LLC
Submit a Contact Form

For California residents, you may also contact our designated agent for privacy inquiries using the contact form above.