ChefMate Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how ChefMate LLC (“ChefMate,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our website, applications, and related services (collectively, the “Service”).

If you have questions, contact us at support@trychefmate.com.

1. What this policy covers

This Privacy Policy applies to information we collect:

• When you create an account or use the Service
• When you interact with our website (including cookies)
• When you contact support

This policy does not cover third-party websites or services you may access through the Service. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you provide to us

Account information

• Name, email address, and other profile details you provide.
• Passwords are handled through our authentication provider and are not stored by ChefMate in plain text.

User Content (what you upload or create in ChefMate)

This can include information about your clients and your operations, such as:

• Client names and contact details (if you choose to store them)
• Meal plans, ingredient lists, notes, shopping lists, schedules
• Dietary preferences, intolerances, allergies, and other food-related restrictions
• Files you upload and documents you export

Support communications

• Information you provide when you contact us (messages, screenshots, attachments).

2.2 Information we collect automatically

Device and usage data

• IP address, device identifiers, browser type, app version, operating system
• Pages/screens viewed, features used, timestamps, referring URLs, and basic operational logs (e.g., for reliability and security)
• AI usage metrics (e.g., feature usage, workflow run counts, token/cost estimates, and performance logs)

Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you signed in and maintain sessions
• Remember preferences
• Support core functionality and security

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Some cookies are required for the Service to work properly.

2.3 Payment information

If you purchase a subscription, payments are processed by Stripe. ChefMate does not store your full payment card number. We may receive limited billing details such as:

• Subscription status, plan tier, and billing interval
• High-level payment metadata (e.g., last four digits and card brand), depending on Stripe settings

3. Sensitive and health-related information

ChefMate may store information that could be considered sensitive or health-related if you choose to enter it, such as allergies, dietary restrictions, intolerances, and nutrition-related preferences.

You are responsible for ensuring you have a lawful basis (and any required consents) to collect and store this information about your clients in ChefMate.

ChefMate is not a medical provider and the Service is not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice.

4. How we use information

We use information to:

• Provide and operate the Service (create accounts, store content, generate exports, provide requested features)
• Secure the Service (authentication, fraud prevention, abuse detection, incident response)
• Maintain and improve the Service (debugging, reliability, performance, and feature improvements)
• Provide customer support (respond to requests, troubleshoot issues)
• Communicate with you (service updates, security notices, billing/admin messages)
• Comply with law (legal obligations, enforce Terms, protect rights and safety)

5. AI features and OpenAI processing

ChefMate includes AI-powered features (“AI Features”) that can help draft or format content (for example: meal descriptions, summaries, shopping lists, or export-ready text).

When you use AI Features:

• We may process the content you submit (which could include client dietary restrictions/allergens) to generate the output you request.
• AI output may be inaccurate or incomplete. You are responsible for reviewing AI output before using it—especially for allergens, dietary restrictions, ingredient lists, or food safety.

OpenAI. AI Features are provided using OpenAI. When you invoke an AI Feature, information you include in the prompt and relevant context may be sent to OpenAI to generate the response, subject to OpenAI’s terms and privacy practices.

We do not enable AI Features to send messages directly to your clients. The Service currently supports exporting/copying content for you to share through your own channels.

6. How we share information

We share information only as necessary to run the Service, comply with law, and protect ChefMate.

6.1 Service providers (our vendors)

We share information with vendors that help us operate the Service:

• Supabase (Authentication, database, and storage): to host and store account data and User Content.
• Vercel (Hosting): to host and deliver the Service.
• Stripe (Payments): to process subscription payments and manage billing.
• OpenAI (AI Features): to generate AI outputs when you request AI functionality.
• PostHog (Product analytics): to understand how the Service is used, measure feature adoption, and improve the user experience. PostHog receives usage events (screens viewed, features used), your user ID, email address, app version, and IP address.
• Sentry (Error and crash reporting): to detect, diagnose, and fix errors and crashes. Sentry receives error/crash data, device and OS metadata, your user ID, email address, and IP address.

These providers are authorized to process information only to perform services for us (and to the extent needed to provide their services).

6.2 Legal, safety, and enforcement

We may disclose information if we believe in good faith it is necessary to:

• Comply with a legal obligation or lawful request
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of ChefMate, users, or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud or security issues

6.3 Business transfers

If ChefMate is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will provide notice if required by law.

6.4 With your direction

We may share information when you instruct us to (for example, if you enable a future integration).

7. Data retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and for legitimate business purposes, such as:

• Maintaining account access and stored content
• Complying with legal obligations
• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
• Security and abuse prevention

If you delete content or close your account, we may retain certain information for a limited time in backups or as required by law.

8. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information. However, no system is 100% secure. You are responsible for using a strong password and protecting your account credentials.

9. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

• Access, correct, or delete certain personal information
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Receive a copy of your information (data portability)

You can often update account information within the Service. To request access or deletion, contact support@trychefmate.com.

9.1 California privacy rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out of certain “sales” or “sharing” of personal information.

ChefMate does not sell personal information in the conventional sense. We use third-party analytics (PostHog) and error reporting (Sentry) services to operate and improve the Service, but we do not “share” personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

10. Children’s privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact support@trychefmate.com.

11. International users and cross-border transfers

ChefMate may process and store information in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. These locations may have different data protection laws than your jurisdiction.

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will update the “Effective date” above and may provide additional notice if changes are material. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective means you accept the updated policy.

13. Contact us

ChefMate LLC
Email: support@trychefmate.com