Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AkashML ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website akashml.com (the "Site") or use our AI inference services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our Services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Email Address: When you sign up for early access, subscribe to our newsletter, or request a model
• Company or Project Information: Including your company/project name, description of what you're building, and specific model preferences
• Communication Data: Any information you provide when you contact us for support or inquiries
• Account Information: When you create an account, including username, password, and profile information

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our Services, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our Services, including pages visited, features used, and time spent
• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, and user agent strings
• Log Data: Server logs, error messages, and technical information about your connection to our Services
• API Usage Data: When you use our API, we collect information about API calls, endpoints accessed, model usage, token counts, and request/response data

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Currently, we use minimal cookies and tracking technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Necessary for the operation of our Services, including session management
• reCAPTCHA Cookies: Set by Google reCAPTCHA when enabled, to prevent spam and abuse

We do not currently use analytics cookies or third-party advertising cookies. If we implement such technologies in the future, we will update this policy and provide appropriate notice.

2.4 Third-Party Services

We may use the following third-party services:

• Google reCAPTCHA: When enabled, used to protect our forms from spam and abuse. Subject to Google's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

We do not currently use analytics services or advertising platforms. Any future integration of such services will be disclosed in an updated version of this policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To prepare for the launch and operation of our AI inference services
• Communication: To send you updates about our launch, respond to inquiries, and provide notifications about early access
• Marketing Communications: By signing up for our Services, you opt in to receive commercial emails about AkashML and other Akash Network projects, products, and services that may be of interest to you
• Early Access Program: To process applications for early access and manage the waitlist
• Model Requests: To understand which models users need and prioritize model additions for launch
• Service Improvement: To improve our website and Services based on user feedback and interests
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, spam, fraud, and security threats
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our legal rights

Once our Services are fully operational, additional uses may include account management, API usage tracking, billing, and payment processing. We will update this policy accordingly.

4. API Data Processing (Post-Launch)

Once our API services are launched, the following data processing will occur:

• Input/Output Data: We will process your API requests and responses to provide the inference service. This data is processed in real-time and is not stored permanently unless required for debugging or service improvement
• Usage Metrics: We will collect and store aggregate usage statistics including token counts, model usage, and API performance metrics for billing and analytics purposes
• Rate Limiting: We will track API usage per user/IP address to enforce rate limits and prevent abuse
• Model Training: We do not and will not use your API input/output data to train or improve AI models unless you explicitly opt-in to such programs

This section will be updated once our API services are fully operational.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including hosting, data analysis, payment processing, and customer service. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

5.2 Akash Network

Our infrastructure is built on Akash Network. Certain operational data may be processed through Akash Network's decentralized cloud infrastructure in accordance with their privacy policies and terms of service.

By providing your email address to AkashML, you consent to us sharing your contact information with Akash Network and its affiliated entities. This may result in you receiving marketing communications about other Akash Network projects, products, and services. You can opt out of these communications at any time using the unsubscribe link in the emails or by contacting us.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or if we believe such action is necessary to:

• Comply with legal process or obligations
• Protect and defend our rights or property
• Prevent fraud or security threats
• Protect the safety of our users or the public

5.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and the choices you may have regarding your information.

5.5 Aggregate Data

We may share aggregated, anonymized data that does not directly identify you with partners, researchers, or the public to demonstrate usage patterns or for other legitimate business purposes.

6. Data Security

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

• Encryption of data in transit using TLS/SSL protocols
• Encryption of sensitive data at rest
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection and privacy
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Specifically:

• Early Access Signups: Retained until the service launches and for a reasonable period thereafter for communication purposes
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
• Model Requests: Retained to inform our product roadmap and may be kept indefinitely in aggregated form
• Server Logs: Typically retained for 90 days for debugging and security purposes

Once our Services are fully operational, additional retention policies will apply for account data, API logs, billing records, and usage data. This policy will be updated accordingly.

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policy.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

8.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to receive a copy of that information in a portable format.

8.2 Correction

You have the right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

8.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations, billing records).

8.4 Objection and Restriction

You have the right to object to certain processing of your personal information and to request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.

8.5 Opt-Out

You can opt out of marketing communications by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or by contacting us directly.

8.6 Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Services.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through our form. We will respond to your request in a reasonable timeframe.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. When we transfer your information internationally, we implement appropriate safeguards, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
• Ensuring recipients are certified under appropriate frameworks
• Implementing other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

By using our Services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, including the United States and countries where Akash Network operates.

11. Regional Privacy Rights

11.1 European Economic Area (EEA) and UK

If you are located in the EEA or UK, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• The right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
• The right to withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
• Enhanced rights to object to processing based on legitimate interests

Our legal basis for processing your information includes: consent, performance of a contract, legal obligations, and legitimate interests.

11.2 California Residents

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• The right to request deletion of personal information
• The right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

12. Third-Party Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party services you visit or use.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our Site and updating the "Last Updated" date. For significant changes, we may provide additional notice such as email notification. Your continued use of our Services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

15. Your Consent

By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Services.