HalfBaked Pods

Privacy Policy

Effective August 2, 2026

This policy explains how HalfBaked Pods handles information when you use halfbakedpods.com or the HalfBaked Pods iOS app.

Information we collect

  • Account and access information: email address, public User Handle, password hash, session information, invite redemption, and access-request email.
  • Creator content: Topics, Story Threads, configuration answers, Podcast and Episode metadata, Research Briefs, Scripts, selected Voices, generated audio, cover artwork, and attribution.
  • Purchase records: minute-pack selection, Stripe Checkout session identifier, credited or spent minutes, and transaction status. HalfBaked Pods does not store complete payment-card details.
  • Support information: messages and account details you choose to include when asking for help.
  • Technical information: IP address, user agent, request and security logs, and diagnostic details when an error occurs.

The iOS app stores unfinished listening progress in app-only UserDefaults on your device. That native resume snapshot is not sent to HalfBaked Pods.

How we use information

We use this information to:

  • create and secure accounts, meter launch access, and provide support;
  • run the Configuration Conversation and generate Research Briefs, Scripts, Voices, audio, artwork, public Podcast pages, and RSS feeds;
  • process minute purchases, maintain the minute ledger, and prevent duplicate fulfillment;
  • operate, troubleshoot, secure, and improve the service; and
  • meet legal obligations and enforce the service's terms.

Service providers and sharing

We share information only as needed to operate HalfBaked Pods. Current provider categories and destinations are:

  • Hosting: Hetzner hosts the Rails application and its operational databases.
  • Generated-media storage: Amazon Web Services S3 stores generated audio and artwork.
  • Text generation and research: the configured provider receives creator prompts and generated content. Supported providers are Anthropic, Google Cloud Vertex AI, and OpenAI.
  • Text-to-speech: the configured provider receives Script segments and Voice selections. Supported providers are Google Cloud, ElevenLabs, and Fish Audio.
  • Payments: Stripe hosts Checkout, processes payment details, and returns transaction status and identifiers.
  • Email: MailerSend delivers account and password-reset email.
  • Diagnostics: Sentry receives error and request diagnostics when production monitoring is enabled.
  • Web fonts: Google Fonts may receive ordinary browser request information such as IP address and user agent when web pages load.

Published Podcasts, audio-ready Episodes, creator handles, and RSS feeds are public and may be shared by listeners. We do not sell personal information or use it for third-party behavioral advertising.

We require service providers to protect information consistently with this policy and applicable law, and to use it only to provide their contracted service to HalfBaked Pods.

Retention and account deletion

We retain account and creator information while your account is active and as needed to provide the service. Deleting your account from Account settings removes your User, owned Podcasts and Episodes, generated files, and HalfBaked Pods minute-ledger rows, then signs you out. Published Podcasts and feeds stop being available.

Deleted information may remain temporarily in rotating operational backups or security logs before those copies expire. Payment processors, email providers, and other service providers may retain records under their own legal or security obligations. HalfBaked Pods may retain a minimal record when law, fraud prevention, dispute handling, or payment obligations require it.

Your choices

  • Update your email or password from Account settings.
  • Delete your account and associated product data from Account settings.
  • Ask us to correct information or withdraw an access request by contacting support.
  • Control app-only listening progress by deleting the app or its local data.

Contact us

Questions, privacy requests, and deletion help can be sent to support@halfbakedpods.com. You can also visit the support page.