Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 12, 2026

What DirtyBite Does

DirtyBite (dirtybite.org) is a free public tool that displays restaurant health inspection data from the Orange County Health Care Agency. We make publicly available government data easier to search and understand. We do not collect, store, or sell your personal information.

Location Data

DirtyBite offers an optional "Use my location" feature that uses your device's geolocation to find nearby restaurants. This feature:

  • Only activates when you explicitly click "Use my location"
  • Requires your browser's permission before accessing location
  • Sends your coordinates to our server solely to determine your zip code
  • Uses OpenStreetMap's Nominatim service for reverse geocoding
  • Does not store, log, or retain your location data
  • You can deny location access and use manual search instead

Search Data

When you search for a restaurant, city, or zip code, your search query is sent to our database to retrieve results. We do not log or store individual search queries tied to your identity.

Analytics

We use Vercel Analytics to collect anonymous usage data including page views, visitor counts, and general traffic patterns. This data is aggregated and cannot be used to identify individual users. No cookies are set for analytics purposes.

Advertising

DirtyBite may display advertisements through Google AdSense or similar advertising networks. These services may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this or other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings.

Cookies

DirtyBite itself does not set cookies. However, third-party services we use (such as advertising networks) may set cookies on your device. You can control cookie behavior through your browser settings.

Data Sources

All restaurant inspection data displayed on DirtyBite is sourced from the Orange County Health Care Agency's publicly available inspection records. We do not modify inspection results. Data is updated weekly.

Children's Privacy

DirtyBite is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Contact

If you have questions about this privacy policy, contact us at privacy@dirtybite.org.