1. Who we are
Chimes In LLC, a Florida limited liability company, operates Tethered Trust, including the website at tetheredtrust.com, the Tethered Trust API and the Tethered Trust MCP server (the "Service"). This policy explains how we handle information when you or an AI agent acting for you use the Service. Questions: support@chimes-in.com or +1 (904) 807-7804.
2. What we collect
a. The questions you ask
When you check compatibility, look up parts or check a fit, we receive and store what you enter (product names, model numbers, specifications and dimensions), the answer we returned, the time, and whether the request came from our website, the API or the MCP server. For API and MCP requests we also record a general client category inferred from the request's User-Agent header (for example "claude", "chatgpt" or "other"). We don't ask for your name, and these records aren't tied to an identity. Please don't put personal information in product fields.
b. Things you choose to send
If you report whether a product fit ("It fit / It didn't") or send feedback or a correction, we store that report. If you add your email address to feedback, we use it only to reply.
c. Network information, briefly
To apply rate limits and stop abuse, we use your IP address at the time of the request. We don't store the IP address itself: we store a one-way hash combined with a value that changes every day, and delete those records after 2 days.
d. API keys
If we issue an API key, we store a label for it (such as a company or project name), a one-way hash of the key (not the key itself), and usage counts. If you gave us contact details to get a key, we keep them to manage your access.
e. Support
If you call or email support, we receive the information you share, plus your phone number or email address. Calls and messages to our support line may be handled by an automated menu and may be recorded or transcribed so we can respond; you'll be told on the call if a call is recorded.
f. Technical logs and cookies
Our hosting provider, Cloudflare, processes standard request information (such as IP address, user agent and requested page) to deliver and secure the Service, and keeps operational logs for a limited period under its own policies. The Tethered Trust website sets no cookies for visitors. The only cookie we use is a sign-in cookie for the site operator's private admin page.
3. How we use information
- To answer your questions and run the Service.
- To improve the compatibility graph, for example by seeing which products people ask about that we don't yet cover, and by using reported outcomes as evidence.
- To prevent abuse, enforce limits and keep the Service secure.
- To respond to support requests and feedback.
- To meet legal obligations and enforce our Terms.
We may publish or share aggregated or de-identified information that can't reasonably identify you (for example, "the most-asked-about laptops this month").
4. AI processing
Most answers come from our own graph and rules, with no AI involved. When you ask about a product we don't know yet, we may send the product text you entered (for example "Dell Latitude 5490") to OpenAI, our AI service provider, to read that product's published specifications. We don't send other information about you. What the AI reads is saved to our graph, marked "unverified", so the same product doesn't have to be sent again. Tethered Trust doesn't use AI to make decisions about you.
5. Who we share it with
We don't sell personal information and don't share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We share information only with:
- Service providers that process it for us under contract: Cloudflare (hosting, database, security), OpenAI (reading specifications of unknown products, as described above), and Amazon Web Services (our support phone line and support email). When we introduce paid access, payment providers such as Coinbase (for USD Coin payments) or Stripe (for card payments) will process payment information, under their own privacy policies.
- Legal and safety: when required by law or legal process, or to protect the rights, property or safety of Chimes In LLC, our users or others.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, subject to this policy.
6. How long we keep it
| Information | Kept for |
|---|---|
| Hashed network records for rate limits | 2 days |
| Questions, answers and API usage logs | 24 months, then deleted (aggregated counts may be kept) |
| Outcome reports and feedback | 24 months (the anonymous "worked / didn't work" tallies they produce may be kept) |
| API key records | While the key is active, plus 12 months |
| Support calls and emails | As long as needed to resolve the request, then up to 24 months |
Deletion runs automatically every day for the items we store in our database.
7. Your choices and rights
You can ask us to access, correct or delete information about you, or ask questions about how it's used, by emailing support@chimes-in.com with "Privacy request" in the subject. Because Tethered Trust doesn't know who you are, we may need details to find your records, such as the check ID shown in an answer, the approximate time, or the text you entered. We'll respond within 45 days (or sooner where the law requires) and won't treat you differently for making a request.
Depending on where you live (for example California, Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, other U.S. states, the EU or the UK), you may have additional rights, such as to know what we collect, to opt out of sale or targeted advertising (we do neither), to appeal a decision about your request, or to complain to a data-protection authority. We honor Global Privacy Control signals as a request to opt out of any sale or sharing, though we don't sell or share personal information.
For visitors outside the U.S.: Tethered Trust is operated from the United States, and information is processed there and wherever our service providers operate. Where EU or UK law applies, we rely on our legitimate interests in running and securing the Service, and on your consent for optional information such as an email address in feedback.
8. AI agents and businesses
If an AI agent or application sends information to Tethered Trust on someone's behalf, the operator of that agent is responsible for having the right to share it, and for not sending personal information in product fields. We handle agent-submitted information the same way as information entered on our website.
9. Children
Tethered Trust is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 where that age applies), and we don't knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we'll delete it.
10. Security
We use HTTPS for all connections, store API keys and network identifiers only as one-way hashes, restrict administrative access, and keep data with reputable infrastructure providers. No system is perfectly secure, so we can't guarantee absolute security. To report a security issue, see our Support page.
11. Changes and contact
We'll post any changes here with a new "last updated" date, and give more prominent notice of material changes. Contact us about privacy:
- Phone: +1 (904) 807-7804 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern (messages answered within 2 business days))
- Email: support@chimes-in.com