Privacy Policy
Ask Kari is the chat service run by CARES Consulting Inc. ("we," "us") at chat.karikounkel.com and embedded on our other sites. This policy explains what we collect when you use it, what we do with it, and what we don't do with it.
What we collect
When you open the chat widget and start a conversation, we collect:
- Your name and email address — you type these in. Email is required so we have a way to reach you back.
- What you write to us, and any screenshots or images you attach.
- Which site you came from, so we know which business you're asking about.
- Your consent choices — whether we may use your question as an example, and whether you'd like to be named if we do.
We do not collect your phone number through the chat widget, and we do not send you text messages. We don't run advertising trackers or third-party analytics on the widget.
What we do with it
- Answer you.
- Keep the conversation so you can pick it back up later, and so we remember the context if you write again.
- Email you when we reply, so an answer reaches you even if you've closed the tab.
- Occasionally turn a good question into an article, post, or example — only within the consent you gave in the widget. By default that means stripped of anything identifying. If you asked us not to use it at all, we don't.
We do not sell your information. We do not share it with advertisers or data brokers.
SMS and mobile data
Ask Kari sends text-message alerts to the business owner's own phone when a visitor writes in, so she can answer quickly from anywhere. Enrollment is by texting START to (651) 273-0113, which returns a confirmation message.
Message frequency varies — one text per incoming website message, typically a few per week. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any message to unsubscribe, or HELP for help.
No mobile information is shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Phone numbers used for these alerts belong to us, are never collected from site visitors, and are not sold, rented, or shared with anyone. Text-message consent is not shared with any third party, and is collected only for this alert program.
Artificial intelligence
We sometimes use AI to draft a reply. A person reads and edits every draft before it's sent, and any message that started as an AI draft says so at the bottom. Your message may be sent to our AI provider for that purpose. It is not used to train anyone's models.
Who else touches your data
We use a small number of service providers to run the thing. They process data on our behalf and are not permitted to use it for their own purposes:
- Supabase — database and file storage for conversations and attachments.
- Twilio — text-message delivery for our own alerts.
- SendGrid (Twilio) — email delivery.
- Anthropic — AI reply drafting.
- Vercel — website hosting.
We may also disclose information if the law requires it.
How long we keep it
Conversations stay on file so the history is there when you come back. Ask us to delete yours and we will, apart from anything we're required to keep.
Your choices
- Ask for a copy of what we hold about you.
- Ask us to correct or delete it.
- Change your mind about whether your question may be used as an example.
- Use "Start a new conversation" in the widget to clear the thread from your device. Your history stays on file with us unless you ask us to delete it.
The widget stores a conversation ID in your browser so it can show you your own thread when you return. Clearing your browser storage removes it.
Children
Ask Kari is for business questions and isn't directed at children under 13. We don't knowingly collect their information.
Changes
If this policy changes, the date at the top changes with it.
Contact
Questions about privacy, or a request about your data: kari@karikounkel.com.