At Ella, we respect your right to control your personal data. This page explains how you can permanently delete your account and what happens to your data when you do. We are committed to transparency and compliance with Google Play Store policies, GDPR, and CCPA regulations.
How to Delete Your Account
You have complete control over your account and can delete it at any time. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the Ella app on your device
- Navigate to Settings by tapping the menu icon (☰) or profile icon
- Select "Account Settings" from the menu
- Scroll down and tap "Delete Account"
- Read the warning message about data deletion carefully
- Confirm your decision by tapping "Yes, Delete My Account"
- Verify your identity (you may be asked to re-enter your password)
- Receive confirmation that your account deletion request has been processed
⚠️ Important Warning
Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Once you delete your account, you will not be able to recover your recipes, photos, preferences, or any other data associated with your account.
Alternative: Contact Us Directly
If you're unable to delete your account through the app, or if you need assistance, you can request account deletion by emailing us directly at:
protogrove@yahoo.com
Please include the following information in your email:
- Subject line: "Account Deletion Request - Ella"
- Your registered email address
- Username (if applicable)
- Brief explanation that you wish to delete your account
We will process your request within 48 hours and send you a confirmation email once completed.
What Data Gets Deleted
When you delete your account, the following data types are permanently removed from our systems:
| Data Type |
Description |
Deletion Status |
| Account Information |
Email address, username, password, profile details |
Permanently Deleted |
| Recipes & Content |
All recipes, ingredients lists, cooking instructions you created |
Permanently Deleted |
| Photos & Images |
All recipe photos, food images, and uploaded pictures |
Permanently Deleted |
| User Preferences |
App settings, favorites, bookmarks, customizations |
Permanently Deleted |
| Usage Data |
Activity logs, interaction history, feature usage |
Permanently Deleted |
| Device Information |
Device identifiers, IP addresses (except as noted below) |
Permanently Deleted |
Data Retained for Legal Compliance
In accordance with legal requirements, certain minimal data may be retained for a limited period:
- Transaction Records: If you made any purchases, basic transaction records may be retained for tax and accounting purposes (typically 3-7 years depending on jurisdiction)
- Legal Compliance Data: If your account is involved in any legal proceedings, investigation, or fraud prevention measures, relevant data may be retained as required by law
- Aggregated Analytics: Anonymous, aggregated data that cannot identify you individually may be retained for statistical analysis
These exceptions comply with GDPR Article 17(3), CCPA regulations, and Google Play Store policies.
Data Deletion Timeline
30-Day Complete Deletion Process
Here's what happens after you request account deletion:
Immediate (Day 0): Your account is deactivated immediately. You cannot log in, and your profile is no longer visible to others.
Within 24 Hours (Day 1): Your account credentials (email, password) are permanently deleted from our authentication system.
Days 1-7: All user-generated content (recipes, photos, preferences) is permanently deleted from our primary databases and Firebase storage.
Days 8-14: Data is removed from all backup systems and cached copies.
Days 15-30: Final verification sweep ensures all personal data has been removed from all systems, including logs and temporary files (except legally required records).
Day 30: Deletion process is complete. A confirmation email is sent to your registered email address (this is the last communication you'll receive from us).
Retention Period Summary: Most of your data is deleted within 7 days, with complete deletion finalized within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I recover my account after deletion?
No, account deletion is permanent and irreversible. Once your account is deleted, all your data is permanently removed and cannot be recovered. If you think you might want to use Ella in the future, consider temporarily deactivating your account instead (if available) or simply not using the app for a while.
2. How long does it take to delete my account?
Your account is deactivated immediately upon request. Complete data deletion from all systems takes up to 30 days. Most of your personal data (recipes, photos, profile information) is deleted within the first 7 days.
3. Will I receive confirmation when my account is deleted?
Yes, you will receive an immediate confirmation when you initiate the deletion process. You will also receive a final confirmation email within 30 days once the deletion process is fully complete. After that final email, you will not receive any further communications from Ella.
4. What happens to my photos and recipes?
All photos and recipes you uploaded to Ella are permanently deleted along with your account. They are removed from our servers, databases, backups, and storage systems. This process begins immediately and is completed within 30 days. We recommend exporting or backing up any content you want to keep before deleting your account.
5. Can I download my data before deleting my account?
Yes, you have the right to data portability under GDPR and CCPA. Before deleting your account, you can request a copy of your data by emailing
protogrove@yahoo.com with the subject "Data Export Request - Ella". We will provide your data in a machine-readable format (JSON or CSV) within 30 days. After receiving your data, you can proceed with account deletion.
6. What if I'm having trouble deleting my account through the app?
If you encounter any technical issues or cannot access the account deletion feature in the app, please email us directly at
protogrove@yahoo.com with the subject "Account Deletion Request - Ella". Include your registered email address and username. We will manually process your deletion request within 48 hours.
7. Is there any data that won't be deleted?
Almost all of your personal data is deleted. However, certain information may be retained if legally required, such as basic transaction records for tax compliance (3-7 years), data involved in legal proceedings, or data needed for fraud prevention. Additionally, anonymous aggregated statistics that cannot identify you personally may be retained. These exceptions comply with GDPR Article 17(3) and applicable regulations.
8. Does deleting my Ella account affect my Google or Apple account?
No, deleting your Ella account only removes your data from Ella's systems. Your Google account, Apple ID, or any other accounts you used to sign in to Ella remain completely unaffected. This only deletes your Ella-specific data and account information. If you used Google or Apple for authentication, those accounts will continue to exist and function normally.
Your Privacy Rights
In addition to account deletion, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right to Access: Request a copy of all personal data we hold about you
- Right to Rectification: Correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal data
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
- Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data in certain circumstances
- Right to Object: Object to processing of your data for specific purposes
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing at any time
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at protogrove@yahoo.com.
Third-Party Services
Ella uses Firebase (a Google service) for data storage and authentication. When you delete your account:
- Your data is deleted from Firebase Authentication within 24 hours
- Your data is deleted from Firebase Firestore/Realtime Database within 7 days
- Your photos are deleted from Firebase Storage within 7 days
- Firebase backup systems are purged within 30 days
Firebase complies with GDPR, CCPA, and Google Play Store data deletion requirements.
Children's Data
Ella is not intended for children under 13 years of age. If you are a parent or guardian and discover that your child has created an account, please contact us immediately at protogrove@yahoo.com, and we will delete the account and all associated data within 48 hours.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Account Deletion Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.