Privacy Policy

Overview

Kitchen Counter-Measures ("we," "us," or "our") operates a local marketplace that helps customers discover homemade meals from independent cooks and coordinate scheduled pickup. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

This policy applies when you use our website, mobile web experience, and related services (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

Information we collect

In short: We collect account, order, and pickup coordination information needed to operate the marketplace securely.

We collect information in these ways:

• Account information you provide, such as email address and password (stored in hashed form).
• Phone number when you verify your phone for ordering or safety-related features.
• Cook application and kitchen profile information, including kitchen name, pickup area, disclosures, permit notes you submit, and optional listing photos.
• Order information, including meals ordered, quantities, pickup windows, payment status, and messages you send in connection with an order.
• Reports you file about listings, kitchens, or orders, including category and description.
• Usage, referral, and technical data such as page visits, meal views, searches, filters, referral sources, browser type, device information, and server logs needed to operate, understand, and secure the Service.
• Approximate location when you choose to search by location or use map features (see Location data below).

How we use information

We use information to:

• Provide the marketplace, including browse, ordering, cook dashboards, and pickup coordination.
• Verify accounts and reduce fraud or abuse (including phone verification where required).
• Process payments through our payment processor when checkout is enabled.
• Review cook applications, listings, and trust and safety reports.
• Communicate with you about your account, orders, or support requests.
• Improve, secure, troubleshoot, and measure marketplace performance, including whether referral campaigns are bringing people to the Service.
• Comply with law and enforce our Terms of Service and policies.

Analytics and activity tracking

In short: We record limited first-party activity to understand how the marketplace is used and where people may be getting stuck.

Kitchen Counter-Measures records activity such as page visits, referral or campaign source, landing page, meal views, searches, filters, saved or interested meals, cook application progress, checkout milestones, phone verification milestones, and payment setup milestones.

We use this information to improve the Service, troubleshoot issues, measure marketplace performance, understand referral campaigns, prevent abuse, and support users. For example, activity data can help us see whether people are browsing meals but not starting checkout, or starting a cook application but not finishing it.

We do not use social media platform APIs to identify where you came from. When referral or campaign information is available, it may come from link parameters, such as UTM or KCM source tags, or from the browser referrer.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as needed to run the Service:

• With cooks and customers when needed to fulfill an order (for example, meal details, pickup window, and pickup instructions that apply after you place an order).
• With service providers that help us operate the Service (such as hosting, payment processing, and SMS verification), under contractual obligations to protect data.
• With staff and administrators who need access to review applications, moderate listings, and handle reports.
• When required by law, legal process, or to protect rights, safety, and security.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice where required by law.

Location data

If you use location-based browse or map features, we may process coordinates or area filters you provide. We use this to show nearby listings, not to sell your location. Map and geocoding may rely on third-party providers (such as OpenStreetMap contributors). Do not share precise home location in public listing fields.

Pickup addresses and public profiles

In short: Public pages show kitchen name, photos, and area labels. Private street addresses and phones are shared only when needed for an active order.

Cooks may provide a private pickup address used only for buyers who have placed an order. Public meal and kitchen pages show approximate area labels (for example, city or neighborhood), not private street addresses, unless a cook explicitly lists a public meetup spot for a listing.

Cook storefront information

In short: Cooks share more on the marketplace than buyers. This section explains what we store for kitchens and listings.

If you are an approved cook, we may process:

• Kitchen display name, bio, service area label, and application disclosures you submit.
• Meal titles, descriptions, photos, prices, pickup windows, and optional quantity limits.
• Private pickup address (shared to buyers only after they order from you).
• Public meetup location text when you choose that pickup style.
• Order and payout-related records tied to your kitchen.

What is public vs private

In short: Use this checklist when deciding what to post on your kitchen page.

Generally:

• Public: kitchen name, meal photos, neighborhood or city, pickup windows, prices, public meetup spots you list.
• Private until an order exists: home street address, your phone number for coordination, buyer payment details.
• Between buyer and cook on an order: order messages and pickup instructions for that transaction.

Payments

When card checkout is enabled, payment card details are handled by our payment processor (such as Stripe), not stored directly on our servers. We may receive payment status, transaction identifiers, and amounts needed to reconcile orders.

Cookies and local storage

We use necessary cookies or browser storage for sign-in sessions, preferences, security, and remembering your privacy choice. These functions do not depend on analytics consent. You can clear storage in your browser, but some features may no longer work or may ask for your choice again.

Optional activity tracking is first-party and stored by us to improve the marketplace. It runs only after you select Accept analytics. You can select Privacy choices in the site footer at any time to accept or decline future analytics tracking.

We do not currently use third-party advertising pixels or retargeting tools. If that changes, we will update this notice and the available choices before enabling them where consent is required.

Retention

We keep information as long as needed to provide the Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. We may retain certain records after account closure where required or permitted by law.

Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. Use a strong password and keep your account credentials private.

Children

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected such information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

Your choices

Depending on your account and local law, you may:

• Update account details in your account settings where available.
• Contact us to request access, correction, or deletion of certain information, subject to legal exceptions.
• Stop using the Service and request account closure by emailing us.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy.

Contact us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices: support@kitchencountermeasures.com.