Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 15, 2024

1. Introduction

At Ki, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our AI companion service, including voice interactions, emotion detection, and personalized letter generation (collectively, the "Service").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Service, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, do not use our Service.

This Privacy Policy applies to information we collect:

• Through our web application at askki.org
• During voice conversations with Ki using real-time audio processing
• Through emotion detection and analysis of your voice patterns
• When generating and sending personalized letters via email
• Through usage analytics and feedback collection
• When you interact with our marketing communications

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Service:

2.1 Personal Information

This includes information that can identify you, such as:

• Email address for receiving personalized letters and updates
• Focus area preferences (anxiety relief, relationship conflicts, self-discovery)
• User preferences and settings for conversation experience
• Feedback and survey responses

2.2 Voice and Conversation Data

We collect and process voice data during your conversations with Ki, including:

• Real-time voice audio during active conversations
• Automatic transcriptions of your speech using Hume AI technology
• Voice tone, pitch, and prosody data for emotion detection
• Conversation content and context for generating responses
• Session duration and interaction patterns

Important: Voice recordings are processed in real-time and are not permanently stored. Only transcriptions and conversation summaries are retained for service improvement and letter generation.

2.3 Emotion Analysis Data

Using Hume AI's advanced emotion detection technology, we analyze emotional patterns in your voice to provide personalized, empathetic responses. This includes:

• Real-time emotion detection from voice prosody (joy, sadness, anxiety, excitement, etc.)
• Confidence scores for detected emotions
• Emotional context and intensity measurements
• Aggregated emotional patterns for personalization
• Sentiment trends over conversation sessions

This emotional analysis helps Ki provide more empathetic, contextually appropriate responses tailored to your current emotional state and needs.

2.4 Usage and Analytics Data

We collect information about how you interact with our Service, including:

• Session start/end times and conversation duration
• Features used (voice interaction, letter generation, feedback)
• User interface interactions and click events
• Error logs and performance metrics
• Frequency of service usage and engagement patterns
• Referral sources and marketing campaign effectiveness

2.5 Technical and Device Information

We automatically collect technical information to ensure service functionality, including:

• IP address for security and rate limiting
• Browser type, version, and capabilities (especially microphone access)
• Operating system and device type
• Screen resolution and viewport size for responsive design
• Network connection type and quality for optimizing voice processing
• Microphone and audio device information
• Cookie and local storage data

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Service Delivery and Core Features

We use your information to provide Ki's core services:

• Process voice input in real-time for conversational AI responses
• Detect emotions to provide empathetic, contextually appropriate responses
• Generate personalized conversation summaries and insights
• Create and email customized letters based on your conversations
• Maintain conversation continuity and context during sessions
• Provide voice visualization and real-time feedback

3.2 Service Improvement and Development

We use aggregated and anonymized data to:

• Improve AI model accuracy and response quality
• Enhance emotion detection capabilities
• Develop new features based on user needs and feedback
• Optimize voice processing and reduce latency
• Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
• Test and refine letter generation algorithms

3.3 Communication and Support

We may use your contact information to:

• Send personalized letters and conversation insights
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send important service updates and notifications
• Request feedback on your experience with Ki
• Notify you about new features or improvements

3.4 Security and Legal Compliance

We process information as necessary to:

• Protect the security and integrity of our Service
• Prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
• Comply with applicable laws and legal obligations
• Enforce our Terms of Service and policies
• Respond to law enforcement requests when legally required

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers and Technology Partners

We share information with trusted third-party providers who help deliver our Service:

Core Technology Partners:

• Hume AI: Voice processing, emotion detection, and conversational AI capabilities
• Vercel: Cloud hosting and application deployment
• Email Service Providers: Delivery of personalized letters and communications

Analytics and Monitoring:

• Usage analytics providers for service improvement
• Error monitoring and performance tracking services
• Customer feedback and survey platforms

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only as directed by us and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. They cannot use your data for their own purposes.

4.2 Compliance with Laws

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).

4.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our Service of any change in ownership or uses of your information.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you have given us your consent to do so.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Monitoring for suspicious activities
• Employee training on data security and privacy

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

6.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and to receive a copy of this information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

6.2 Correction

You have the right to have inaccurate personal information corrected or completed if it is incomplete.

6.3 Deletion

You have the right to request the deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances, such as when the information is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

6.4 Restriction and Objection

You have the right to restrict or object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

6.5 Withdrawal of Consent

Where we rely on consent to process your personal information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Given the sensitive nature of voice and emotion data, we strongly recommend that minors aged 13-17 obtain parental consent before using Ki.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at support@askki.org, and we will take immediate steps to delete such information from our systems.

8. Data Retention and International Transfers

8.1 Data Retention

We retain your information for different periods depending on the type of data:

• Voice Recordings: Processed in real-time and not permanently stored
• Conversation Transcripts: Retained for up to 30 days to improve service quality
• Generated Letters: Stored for up to 1 year for re-delivery if requested
• Email Addresses: Retained until you request deletion or unsubscribe
• Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained indefinitely for service improvement

8.2 International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored in the United States and other countries where our service providers operate. These locations may have different data protection laws than your country of residence.

For users in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we ensure adequate protection through:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Adequacy decisions where applicable
• Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make significant changes, we will notify you through the Service or by other means, such as email. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

10. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy, data requests, or privacy concerns, please contact us:

Data Subject Requests

To exercise your privacy rights (access, correction, deletion, etc.), please email us with:

• Subject line: "Privacy Request"
• Clear description of your request
• Verification of your identity
• Specific data or time period if applicable

Legal Compliance: This Privacy Policy has been designed to comply with applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other state and international privacy regulations. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and privacy.