Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

1. Introduction

Chilimo ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our home kitchen marketplace platform ("Platform").

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

  • Account Information: Name, email address, and profile photo provided through Google OAuth sign-in
  • Chef Profile Information: Kitchen name, cuisine types, menu items, pricing, food photos, and kitchen descriptions
  • Order Information: Pickup addresses, order history, and dietary preferences
  • Communications: Messages between Chefs and Foodies, support requests, and reviews

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, search queries, and interaction patterns
  • Location Data: General location based on IP address, and precise location if you grant permission, to show nearby kitchens
  • Cookies: Session cookies for authentication and preferences

2.3 Information from Third Parties

  • Google OAuth: Basic profile information (name, email, profile photo) when you sign in with Google
  • Payment Processors: Transaction confirmations (we do not store full payment card details)
  • Map Services: Location and address data from Google Maps or Gaode Maps for kitchen discovery

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide and maintain the Platform, including connecting Foodies with nearby home kitchens
  • Process orders and facilitate payments between Chefs and Foodies
  • Display relevant kitchens based on your location and preferences
  • Verify Chef identities and review kitchen documentation
  • Send order confirmations, pickup updates, and important account notices
  • Improve our services through usage analytics
  • Enforce our Terms of Service and protect against fraud
  • Comply with legal obligations, including food safety reporting if required

4. Location Data and Home Kitchens

Location data is central to how Chilimo works. We use location information to:

  • Show you home kitchens in your area
  • Calculate distances and estimated pickup times
  • Help Chefs define their service area

4.1 Chef Address Protection

We understand that Chefs operate from their homes, and protecting their privacy is a top priority. Here's how we safeguard Chef addresses:

  • Never Displayed Publicly: Your exact street address is never shown on your kitchen profile, in search results, or anywhere else on the public Platform.
  • Approximate Map Location: On maps, we display an approximate location (within a few hundred meters of your actual address) to help Foodies discover kitchens in their area without revealing your precise location.
  • Secure Storage: Your address is stored securely and is only used internally to verify your location and for order fulfillment.
  • Order-Based Sharing: Your address is only shared with a Foodie after they place and pay for an order, and only when necessary for pickup.

Your home address is safe with us. We are committed to ensuring that operating a home kitchen on Chilimo does not compromise your personal safety or privacy.

5. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

  • Other Users: Chefs see Foodie names and contact details for confirmed orders. Foodies see Chef kitchen names, approximate map locations, menus, and reviews. Chef home addresses are only shared after an order is confirmed and paid.
  • Service Providers: Payment processors, cloud hosting providers (AWS, GCP), email services, and map providers (Google Maps, Gaode Maps) that help us operate the Platform
  • Legal Authorities: When required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect the safety of users or the public
  • Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

We do not sell your personal information to third parties for advertising purposes.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including:

  • Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
  • Secure authentication via Google OAuth
  • Access controls and role-based permissions
  • Regular security reviews and updates

However, no system is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. After account deletion, we may retain certain data as required by law (e.g., tax records for Chefs, food safety incident records) or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention).

Order history and transaction records are retained for a minimum of 7 years for tax and regulatory compliance.

8. Your Rights and Account Deletion

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements
  • Portability: Request your data in a portable format
  • Opt-Out: Opt out of non-essential communications and marketing emails
  • Location: Revoke location permissions through your device settings

8.1 Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and personal data at any time. To delete your account:

Upon deletion request, we will:

  • Remove your profile information, preferences, and personal details
  • Delete your order history (except records required for tax/legal compliance)
  • Remove any content you've posted (photos, reviews)
  • Retain only anonymized or legally required data

Account deletion is typically processed within 30 days. Some data may be retained longer as required by law.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@chilimo.com.

9. Children's Privacy

Chilimo is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected data from a child, we will delete it promptly.

10. International Users

Chilimo operates in multiple regions. Your data may be processed in countries other than your own. By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer of your data to the countries where we operate. We take steps to ensure your data is protected regardless of where it is processed.

11. Cookies and Tracking

We use essential cookies for authentication and session management. We may also use analytics cookies to understand how users interact with the Platform. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via email or a prominent notice on the Platform. The "Effective Date" at the top of this page indicates when this Policy was last updated.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, contact us at: