Privacy Policy · Chowser

1. Who we are

Chowser is operated by Exceler8, LLC. This policy explains what information we collect when you use Chowser, how we use it, and the choices you have. Questions go to hello@chowser.app.

2. What we collect

Account info: your email address, password (stored hashed by our authentication provider; we never see it in plain text), and display name. If you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address, and basic profile info from Google and use your first name and last initial as your starting display name.
Profile info you choose to add: city and favorite restaurant.
Activity: posts you create, requests you send or receive, matches, and spots you favorite.
Chat: messages and photos (such as receipts) you send to a match.
Ratings: the thumbs up or down and tags you give a match partner, the ratings others give you, and any optional comment you add. Comments are visible only to Chowser staff.
Community submissions: spot suggestions and reports you file.
Referrals: if you joined through an invite link, which user invited you.

We do not collect payment information. Payments happen outside Chowser through apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, under those apps' own privacy policies.

3. How we use it

To run Chowser: show posts, match users, and deliver chat.
To send account emails, such as signup confirmation, password resets, and notices when a post expires.
To review reports and keep the community safe, including removing accounts that break our Terms.
To understand which spots and features people use so we can improve the service.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not show ads and do not use third-party analytics or advertising trackers.

4. Who can see your information

Anyone, including visitors who aren't signed in, can see your display name, the posts you create, and your rating summary (percent positive, number of ratings, and most common tags). Signed-in users can also see your profile page: your city and favorite restaurant if you add them, how long you've been a member, and how many matches you've completed. Nobody can see who rated you or read rating comments.
Your match can see the messages and photos you send in that match's chat. Chat is not visible to other users.
Chowser staff can access account data when needed to operate the service, investigate a report, or comply with the law.

We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the safety of our users or the public.

5. Service providers

We rely on a few companies to run Chowser. They process data on our behalf and only to provide their service to us:

Supabase: database, user accounts, and file storage.
Vercel: website hosting.
Resend: sending email.
Google: sign-in, if you choose “Continue with Google.”

6. Cookies

We use only the cookies needed to keep you signed in. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.

7. Keeping and deleting your data

We keep your information for as long as your account exists. You can edit your display name, city, and favorite restaurant at any time from your profile.

To get a copy of your data or delete your account, email hello@chowser.app from the address on your account. When we delete an account, we remove your profile, posts, and chat messages. We may keep a limited record of reports involving your account where needed for safety or legal reasons.

8. Security

Data is encrypted in transit, and access to chat photos is restricted to the two people in a match. No system is perfectly secure, so please don't share sensitive information like full card numbers in chat.

9. Age requirement

Chowser is for people 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has created an account, contact us and we will remove it.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as Chowser changes. We'll update the date at the top, and for significant changes we'll let you know in the app or by email.

11. Contact

Exceler8, LLC · hello@chowser.app