Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 13, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how MATANGA RESEARCH LLC ("Matanga," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares personal information when you use our website (matangaresearch.com), online tools, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). Our Services include MATANGA Studio (consulting engagements), MATANGA Academy (training courses), and Smart Intake (our online intake form at intake.matangaresearch.com).

This policy covers data collected through our website and online services. Data handling during active client consulting engagements is governed by separate agreements (e.g., master service agreements or statements of work).

Privacy Contact: privacy@matangaresearch.com | Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA

1) Information We Collect

We collect information in three main ways: (a) information you provide, (b) information collected automatically, and (c) information from service providers.

A. Information You Provide

Depending on how you use the Services, you may provide: contact information (name, email address, phone number); communications and submissions (inquiries, messages, survey responses, and other information you send us); business and operational information (if you use our Smart Intake form, you may provide details about your facility, certifications held such as SQF, BRC, or FSSC, current workflows, and compliance needs); scheduling information (when you book a discovery call through Calendly, your name, email, and any information you provide in the booking form are collected by Calendly on our behalf); and payment-related information (billing details and transaction information).

Payment processing: Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not store full payment card numbers. Stripe may collect and process your payment information according to its own privacy practices.

Please do not submit sensitive personal information (e.g., government ID numbers, complete payment card details, or medical information) through website forms or email unless we specifically request it for a legitimate purpose.

B. Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Services, we may automatically collect: device and technical data (IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, language, and approximate location derived from IP address); usage data (pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, and referring/exit pages); and cookies and similar technologies used primarily for essential site functionality and security (see Section 5).

C. Information from Service Providers

We may receive limited information from our service providers (for example, payment confirmation and basic transaction details from Stripe, scheduling confirmations from Calendly, or email delivery confirmations from an email service).

2) How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to: provide and operate the Services; process transactions and send transaction-related communications; respond to inquiries and provide customer support; improve, maintain, and secure the Services (including troubleshooting, fraud prevention, and abuse prevention); send administrative communications (policy updates, service notices); send marketing communications where permitted and/or where you have opted in (you can opt out anytime); and comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

3) Generative AI and Automated Processing

We use generative AI tools to support operations such as drafting and improving customer support replies, responding to form submissions, and summarizing messages or documents to help our team respond more efficiently.

What data may be processed: Information you provide to us (such as message content and contact details) may be processed by these tools when needed for support and internal workflows. Human review: AI-generated outputs may be reviewed by our team before we send responses or take action. No "significant effects" automation: We do not use AI to make automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects about you without human review. Service providers: When we use third-party AI providers, they act as service providers/processors under our instructions.

How we reduce risk: Where supported by provider settings and our internal controls, we take steps intended to limit how submitted content is used and to protect confidentiality. Because provider features and configurations can vary, we recommend that you avoid sending sensitive personal information unless necessary.

Your choices: You may request that we not use AI tools to process your inquiry by emailing privacy@matangaresearch.com. We will handle your request through a non-AI workflow when feasible.

4) How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

A. Service Providers

We share information with vendors that help us operate the Services (e.g., hosting, email delivery, security, payment processing, customer support tools, and AI service providers). They are permitted to use personal information only as needed to provide services to us. Payments: We share information necessary to complete transactions with Stripe. Scheduling: We use Calendly to manage discovery call bookings. Calendly processes your booking information under its own privacy policy.

B. Legal, Safety, and Rights Protection

We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to comply with law, respond to lawful requests, protect the rights and safety of Matanga or others, investigate fraud, or enforce our agreements.

C. Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5) Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies primarily to keep the Services functioning (e.g., security, load balancing) and remember preferences (where applicable). We do not currently use third-party advertising pixels or analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) for tracking-based advertising. If you use Stripe checkout, book via Calendly, or interact with embedded third-party features, those providers may set cookies or similar technologies under their own policies. Our website is hosted on Framer, which may use essential cookies for site functionality. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may impact site functionality.

6) Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, including to provide the Services, comply with legal and accounting obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and why we collected it.

7) Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8) Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights to request: access to personal information we hold about you; correction of inaccurate information; deletion of certain information; portability of your data in a commonly used format; and opt-out of certain processing (where applicable). To exercise rights, email privacy@matangaresearch.com. We may need to verify your identity. Marketing emails: You can opt out at any time via the unsubscribe link (if provided) or by contacting us.

9) Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information to us, please contact privacy@matangaresearch.com and we will take steps to delete it.

10) International Users

We primarily serve users in the United States and the Americas. If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other jurisdictions that may have different data protection laws.

11) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date indicates when it was revised. Your continued use of the Services after changes means you accept the updated policy where permitted by law.