What does the verification application check?
Verification begins with email ownership, restaurant stage, role, and an optional Google Places match. An active restaurant-domain email can qualify automatically; pre-opening applicants receive provisional status; mismatches enter private review. The Editors may request supporting documentation or a short private conversation when automated signals are not enough.
The check answers one narrow question: does this applicant operate, manage, or own an independent restaurant? It is not a background check, endorsement, or assessment of the restaurant.
What information is stored, and what appears on posts?
Application details live in the private signup and account records. They may include email, restaurant details, role, stage, and review status. Member contributions contain only a chosen pseudonym and a verification badge such as verified owner, verified general manager, verified operator, or the corresponding provisional badge.
A real name, email address, LinkedIn URL, and restaurant-to-person link never appear on a post. Those fields are not included in the posting record.
How is the separation between identity and posts enforced?
Verification details and posting identities are maintained as separate records. A restricted private mapping supports account recovery, moderation, and deletion, but member content never contains the direct identifiers used during application review.
Access to verification information and the private mapping is restricted to account administration and audited safety workflows. Ordinary moderation and editorial work start from pseudonymous contributions, not application records.
How does the pseudonym system work?
Each provisional or verified member chooses a pseudonym during onboarding. The pseudonym must not resemble a legal name, restaurant name, neighborhood, or concept. Inside member-only discussions, only that pseudonym, verification badge, and contribution level appear beside approved contributions.
Members are also asked to avoid details that would identify a specific person or restaurant. The Editors may generalize incidental details before publication while preserving the operating point.
How do I delete my account, and how long does it take?
A member may request deletion from the private account or by emailing editor@orderbridge.app from the address used during verification. Account access and active sessions are revoked immediately, and the controlled deletion review is completed within 48 hours. The private mapping is deactivated, while approved discussion entries become anonymous tombstones so surrounding replies remain coherent without retaining the former identity or content.
Questions about storage and individual rights are covered in the privacy policy. The funding and data-use boundaries are covered in the disclosure.