Privacy Policy
Plain language first. If anything here is unclear, write to us at hello@chern.ca and a founder will answer.
Last updated November 12, 2026
Who we are
chern is operated by [Legal company name], a company based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada ("chern", "we", "us"). This policy explains how we handle personal information through our website at chern.ca and the chern app. We follow Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
What we collect
- Contact details you give us: your name, business name, email, phone number and any message you send.
- Account information: login details and settings for the chern app.
- Connected business data you choose to link, such as your Google Business Profile, website analytics, social pages, or booking and sales systems.
- Public business information about your business and local competitors, such as listings, ratings, reviews and search results.
- Usage information about how the app is used, such as which moves you approve, so we can improve suggestions.
- Payment information, handled by our payment processor. We do not store full card numbers.
Reviews on public platforms can contain the names of your customers. We use them only to understand and reply to feedback about your business, never to build profiles of individuals.
How we use it
- To provide the service: measure how customers find your business, recommend moves, carry out the actions you approve, and report results.
- To support you and communicate about your account.
- To improve chern, including combined, de-identified statistics across businesses.
- To bill you, prevent fraud and meet legal obligations.
We use AI models from trusted providers to analyze information and draft content such as review replies. We choose providers that do not use our customers' data to train their models.
Google user data
When you connect a Google Business Profile, we access it only with the permission you grant and only for the purposes described on our Google integration page.
We do not sell Google user data, use it for advertising, or use it to train general-purpose AI models. People at chern can read it only with your consent, for security reasons, to comply with the law, or when it has been combined and de-identified for internal operations.
chern's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs to any other app will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.
Who we share with
We never sell personal information. We share it only with service providers who help us run chern, such as cloud hosting, AI model providers, email and payment processing, under contracts that require them to protect it and use it only for our purposes. We may also disclose information if the law requires it or to protect the rights and safety of people and of chern.
Storage and retention
We store data on servers in Canada wherever possible. Some service providers may process data in other countries, such as the United States, where it may be subject to local law. We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above. When you close your account or disconnect a service, we delete the related data within 30 days, unless we must keep a record by law.
Your rights
You can ask to see the personal information we hold about you, correct it, or withdraw your consent and have it deleted. Write to hello@chern.ca and we will respond within 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Emails
We send service emails about your account. We only send marketing emails with your consent, in line with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, and every one includes a way to unsubscribe.
Changes
If we make meaningful changes to this policy, we will update the date above and tell active customers by email before the change takes effect.
Contact
Privacy questions go to our privacy lead at hello@chern.ca, or by mail to [Legal company name], [Mailing address], Fredericton, NB, Canada.