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HELM

HELM Privacy Policy

Effective Date: Feb 14, 2026

Controller: HELM, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HELM,” “we,” “us,” “our”)

Contact: hello@itshelm.com

HELM provides a private hospitality marketplace connecting Clients with independent Service Providers such as private chefs, butlers, drivers, sommeliers, mixologists, and household staff.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal data, and outlines your rights and choices.

1. Scope & Relationship to Terms

This Policy applies to all personal data processed by HELM when you use the HELM website, apps, or services (the “Platform”). We currently operate only within the United States.If we launch internationally, region-specific notices will apply (see Appendix A – International Notices). Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Terms of Service and Stripe’s payment policies.

2. Personal Data We Collect

Account & Identity Data

  • Name, email, phone, username, password hash

  • Date of birth (where required)

  • Profile photo

  • Role: Client or Service Provider2.2 No Employment/Agency

Verification & Compliance Data

  • Government IDs, driver licenses

  • Certifications (food handler, alcohol service, chauffeur)

  • Insurance proofs, tax information

  • Background check results

  • Work eligibility confirmations3. Eligibility and Accounts

Transaction & Booking Data

  • Service requests, quotes, accepted bookings

  • Dates, times, locations, guest counts

  • Menus, dietary notes, alcohol service preferences

  • Messages/calls via Platform tools

  • Receipts, reimbursements, cancellations3.2 Registration

Payment & Payout Data

  • Tokenized card/bank info

  • Billing ZIP code

  • Refunds, chargebacks, payout routing

  • We never store full card numbers or CVV (Stripe processes all payments)

Device/Usage & Geolocation Data

  • IP address, device IDs, browser/app type

  • Crash logs, diagnostics

  • Approximate location (city/ZIP)

  • Route telemetry for driving services (if required)Photos, Media & User Content

Photos, Media & User Content

  • Event details, images, menus

  • Reviews, ratings, bios

  • In-app communications

Marketing & Preference Data

  • Cookie preferences

  • Referral codes

  • Campaign attribution

Cookies & Similar Technologies

  • Security

  • Authentication

  • Analytics

  • Marketing (where permitted)

Safety & Trust Signals

  • Fraud scores

  • Abuse reports

  • Device reputation

3. How We Collect Data

We collect information through:

  • Data you provide during sign-up, messaging, booking

  • Automatic collection via cookies/SDKs

  • Clients & Service Providers sharing details to complete bookings

  • Third-party services (Stripe, background check vendors, analytics, mapping, anti-fraud)

  • Public records (licenses, certifications)

4. How We Use Personal Data

we use your data to :

  • Operate the marketplace (profiles, quotes, bookings, messaging, payouts)

  • Process payments & refunds

  • Maintain safety, risk scoring, fraud prevention

  • Communicate confirmations and updates

  • Personalize your experience

  • Improve product performance

  • Comply with legal/regulatory requirements6. Payments and Stripe Processing

Currently U.S. only.


GDPR/UK bases apply only when we expand internationally.

6. How We Share Personal Data

We share personal data with:

  • Clients <-> Service Providers (to complete bookings)

  • Vendors/Processors (Stripe, identity checks, cloud hosting, analytics, messaging tools)

  • Law enforcement/regulators (where required)

  • Potential acquirers (corporate transactions)

  • Only with consent (reviews, optional integrations)

We do not sell personal data.


US state “sale/sharing” definitions may apply only to advertising (see Section 12).

7. Retention

We keep data only as long as necessary for:

  • Providing services

  • Legal/tax/accounting requirements

  • Chargeback/fraud windows

  • Dispute resolution

Data is deleted or de-identified when no longer needed.

8. Payments with Stripe

Payments are processed by Stripe (PCI DSS Level 1).
HELM does not store full card numbers.
Your use of Stripe is governed by:

  • Stripe Privacy Policy

  • Stripe Services Agreement

  • Stripe Data Processing Agreement

9. Security

We implement:

  • Encryption in transit

  • Access controls

  • Monitoring

  • Vulnerability management

Service Providers must protect any Client data they receive.

10. Cookies & Analytics

We use cookies for:

  • Essential platform functions

  • Fraud/security

  • Analytics

  • Preferences

  • Marketing (where legally permitted)

EEA/UK banners will appear only if we operate there.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not for children under 16.


We do not knowingly collect data from minors.

12. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on your region, you may request:

  • Access

  • Correction

  • Deletion

  • Portability

  • Restriction

  • Opt-out of marketing

  • Opt-out of sale/sharing (US state laws)

  • Appeal rights (where applicable)

How to submit:
 Email: hello@itshelm.com

13. International Transfers

Not applicable today.


Will apply only after global expansion.

14. Service Provider Responsibilities

Service Providers must:

  • Use Client data only for the booked service

  • Keep it confidential and secure

  • Delete it when no longer needed

  • Comply with all hospitality, food safety, alcohol, and privacy laws

15. Background Checks (US – FCRA)

If background checks are used, HELM and Providers must comply with FCRA.

16. Automated Decision-Making

Used for:

  • Fraud detection

  • Safety/risk scoring

You may request human review where required by law.

17. Do Not Track & GPC

We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where applicable.

18. Changes to This Policy

We will post updates with a new Effective Date.
Continued use = acceptance.

19. Contact

Primary contact: hello@itshelm.com


Additional regional contacts will be added if we expand internationally.