Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Sjeffie (“Sjeffie”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, shares and protects your personal information when you use our website and web app at sjeffie.co.za (the “Service”). We are committed to handling your information responsibly and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”).

Sjeffie is operated from South Africa as a private beta product. Questions or requests about your information can be sent to hello@sjeffie.co.za.

1. Information we collect

We only collect what we need to plan your meals and run your account:

• Account details: your email address, and (when you choose WhatsApp sign-in) your mobile number, used to send you a one-time sign-in code.
• Household profile & preferences: who you cook for, dietary rules and allergies, cuisines, cooking habits, and any loyalty/rewards programmes you tell us about.
• Your content: the meal plans, recipes, prep choices and shopping lists you generate or add, including items added via WhatsApp.
• Technical data: basic device, browser and usage information needed to operate the Service securely. If you use Sjeffie as a guest, your data is stored locally in your browser until you sign in.

We do not intentionally collect special-category information beyond the dietary and health-related preferences you voluntarily provide to get a better meal plan.

2. How we use your information

• To generate your weekly meal plans, recipes and shopping lists.
• To create and secure your account and keep your data in sync across your devices.
• To send you sign-in codes and essential service messages (by email or WhatsApp).
• To operate, maintain, improve and support the Service.
• To comply with our legal obligations.

Our lawful bases under POPIA are your consent, the performance of our agreement with you, and our legitimate interests in running and improving the Service.

3. AI processing

To plan meals and translate content, the relevant details (such as your household preferences and the recipe text) are processed by our AI provider, Anthropic. This is used to generate your plan and is not used to train third-party models. We send only what is needed to produce your result.

4. Service providers we share data with

We use a small number of trusted processors who act on our instructions:

• Anthropic — AI meal planning and translation.
• Neon — secure database hosting (servers in the EU / Frankfurt).
• Netlify — website and application hosting.
• Resend — delivery of sign-in and service emails.
• Meta Platforms (WhatsApp Business) — delivery of WhatsApp sign-in codes and messages, where you use WhatsApp features.

We never sell your personal information, and we do not share it for third-party advertising.

5. International transfers

Some of our providers process data outside South Africa (for example, database hosting in the EU). Where this happens, we take reasonable steps to ensure your information receives a level of protection consistent with POPIA.

6. Data retention

We keep your account and household data for as long as your account is active. You can delete your data at any time using “Start over” in the app, or by asking us to delete your account. Guest data lives only in your own browser until you clear it or sign in.

7. Your rights

Under POPIA you have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, to object to processing, and to withdraw consent. To exercise any of these, contact hello@sjeffie.co.za. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

8. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections and access controls. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to keep your data safe.

9. Children

Sjeffie is intended for adults managing a household. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children. Household members’ details (such as the number of children you cook for) are provided by the adult account holder.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the new version here and update the date above. Material changes will be communicated where appropriate.

11. Contact us

For any privacy question or request, email hello@sjeffie.co.za.