Privacy Policy

Absorb Blue Inc. ("we," "us," "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your personal information when you use our website, the Artificial Professor(TM), the Artificial Professor of Bio 101(TM), and related services (collectively, the "Services").

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions of Service. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meaning given in the Terms.

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1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Personal Information

- Account Data: Name, email address, password.
- Waitlist Data: If you sign up for the Artificial Professor of Bio 101(TM) waitlist, we store your contact details to administer the "Early Bird" / "$100 Off the Release Price" offer.
- Payment Data: We use third-party processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, RevenueCat, the payment systems operated by Apple or Google, etc.). We do not store your full credit card number.

1.2 Learning and Interaction Data (AI Training)

CRITICAL NOTICE: The Artificial Professor is an adaptive AI. To function, it must analyze your interactions. We collect:

- Conversation Logs: The text of your chats with the Artificial Professor.
- Performance Metrics: Your scores, the time you spend with our Services, including time spent on specific EKUs (Elementary Knowledge Units).
- Voice Data: If you use voice-input features, we process your audio to convert it to text. We may retain the resulting transcript as part of your Conversation Logs. Unless stated otherwise in a separate notice or consent flow, we do not extract, store, or use voiceprints or other biometric identifiers, and we do not use voice data to uniquely identify you. Audio recordings, to the extent temporarily retained for processing, are handled in accordance with the retention schedule in Section 6.

1.3 Automatically Collected Data

- Device Info: IP address, browser type, operating system, approximate location derived from IP address.
- Usage Cookies and Similar Technologies: See our Cookie Policy (or, until a standalone Cookie Policy is published, the cookie disclosures at the end of this document).

1.4 Information From Third Parties

If you access the Services through a third-party platform (such as a crowdfunding platform, app store, or single sign-on provider), we may receive account, contact, or transaction information from that platform in accordance with its terms and your privacy settings there.

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2. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

2.1 To Provide the Service

We use your data to operate the Artificial Professor, authenticate your account, deliver EKU-based learning, track your progress, provide customer support, and secure the Services.

2.2 To Train and Improve Our AI Models

Separately from operating the Service, we may use Conversation Logs, Performance Metrics, and Voice Data to train, evaluate, and improve our AI models and our EKU-based knowledge management systems.

- Where required by applicable law (including, where applicable, the GDPR and UK GDPR), we will rely on your separate, freely given consent before using your User Content for AI model training.
- Where consent is not legally required, we rely on our legitimate interest in developing and improving the Services, and you may still object as described in Section 2.3.
- Before using data for training, we take reasonable steps to reduce identifiability, including removing direct identifiers such as names and email addresses where technically feasible. You should not treat this data as fully anonymized in the legal sense; it is more accurately described as pseudonymized.

2.3 How to Opt Out of AI Training

You can opt out of the use of your User Content for AI model training at any time by:

- Using the in-app privacy setting, where available; or
- Emailing hello@absorb.blue with the subject line "AI Training Opt-Out" from the email address associated with your account.

We will process your request within a reasonable period and, in any event, within the time limits required by applicable law. Opting out does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before your opt-out, and does not prevent us from using fully aggregated or de-identified data that can no longer reasonably be linked to you.

2.4 Third-Party AI Processors

The Services rely on third-party large language model providers, speech-to-text providers, and other providers to generate responses and process voice input. These providers act as our processors, are bound by contract, and are not permitted to use your data for their own purposes except as required by law.

2.5 To Administer Crowdfunding Campaigns

If you participate in our pre-buy campaign on a third-party platform (e.g., Kickstarter, Indiegogo), we will receive your shipping and contact information from that platform to fulfill your reward; the terms and privacy policies of the third-party platform may also apply.

2.6 Communication

We use your email to send:

- Service notifications (e.g., password resets, security alerts, material changes to these policies).
- Marketing offers (e.g., the $100 off offer), subject to your opt-out rights. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any marketing email or by contacting us.

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3. DATA SHARING

We do not sell your personal data to third parties, and we do not "share" your personal data for cross-context behavioral advertising as those terms are defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"). We share data only with:

- Service Providers: Hosting (e.g., AWS), analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), email services, customer support tools, and AI/speech-to-text processors as described in Section 2.4.
- Crowdfunding Partners: If necessary to validate your waitlist status or fulfill rewards on a third-party platform (e.g., Kickstarter).
- Corporate Transactions: In connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, subject to standard confidentiality protections.
- Legal Compliance: When required by subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

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4. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Absorb Blue Inc. is based in the United States, and our service providers may also be located in or operate from the United States and other countries. If you access the Services from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States and potentially in other countries whose data protection laws may differ from those of your country.

Where we transfer personal data out of the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards permitted by applicable law, including the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses and, where relevant, the UK International Data Transfer Addendum. You may request a copy of the relevant safeguards by contacting hello@absorb.blue.

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5. SECURITY

We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. NO SYSTEM IS PERFECTLY SECURE, HOWEVER, AND WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE ABSOLUTE SECURITY OF YOUR DATA. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your personal information, we will notify you and applicable regulators as required by law.

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6. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. In general:

- Account Data is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter to handle disputes, enforce our agreements, and comply with legal obligations.
- Conversation Logs and Performance Metrics are retained while your account is active and may be retained in pseudonymized form thereafter for model improvement, subject to your opt-out rights in Section 2.3.
- Voice audio recordings, where temporarily retained for processing, are deleted once transcription is complete or within a short operational window thereafter; retained transcripts are handled as Conversation Logs.
- Waitlist Data is retained until the applicable campaign is fulfilled or you request deletion.
- Payment Data retention is governed by our payment processors and applicable financial recordkeeping laws.

When personal information is no longer needed, we will delete or de-identify it, unless legal obligations require continued retention.

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7. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

The Services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at hello@absorb.blue and we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you are between 13 and the age of majority in your jurisdiction, your use of the Services requires the review and consent of your parent or legal guardian, as further described in the Terms and Conditions of Service.

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8. YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the following rights with respect to your personal information:

- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal exceptions.
- Portability: Receive your personal information in a portable format.
- Objection / Restriction: Object to, or restrict, certain processing activities.
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw any consent you have previously given, including consent to use your data for AI model training (see Section 2.3).
- Right Against Automated Decision-Making: Where applicable, not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce legal or similarly significant effects.

To exercise any of these rights, email hello@absorb.blue from the email address associated with your account, or use the in-app privacy controls where available. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request, typically by confirming control of your account email and, where appropriate, other account details. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law. You will not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

8.1 Additional Rights for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the rights described above, plus the following:

- Right to Know: The categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the categories of sources, the business purposes for collection, and the categories of third parties with whom we share it.
- Right to Delete: Subject to statutory exceptions.
- Right to Correct: Inaccurate personal information.
- Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: To the extent we process sensitive personal information (which may include, depending on configuration, voice recordings or precise geolocation) beyond the purposes permitted by the CCPA, you may direct us to limit that use.
- Right to Opt Out of Sale or Sharing: We do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising, as defined under the CCPA. Accordingly, there is nothing to opt out of in this respect, but you retain the right to make such a request.

Categories of personal information we have collected in the preceding 12 months include: identifiers (name, email, IP address), commercial information (transaction and subscription data), internet or network activity (usage and device data), audio information (voice input, where used), inferences drawn from the above (learning progress, EKU mastery), and sensitive personal information (account credentials and, where applicable, voice recordings).

Authorized agents may submit requests on your behalf by contacting us at hello@absorb.blue with documentation of their authority.

8.2 Additional Rights for EEA, UK, and Swiss Residents

If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. The legal bases on which we rely include: performance of a contract (to provide the Services), legitimate interests (to secure, improve, and operate the Services), consent (for AI model training where required and for marketing where required), and legal obligation.

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9. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Services, remember your preferences, analyze usage, and, where applicable and consented to, support marketing activities. You can control cookies through your browser settings and, where required by law, through our in-app cookie consent interface. Blocking certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Services.

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10. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide reasonable advance notice by posting the updated policy on our website and, where appropriate, by emailing the address associated with your account. The "Effective Date" at the top reflects the date of the most recent version. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

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11. CONTACT US

If you have questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact:

Absorb Blue Inc.
Email: hello@absorb.blue

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