This Privacy Policy explains how Beacon ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information about you when you use our platform at www.joinbeacon.ai ("Platform"). By using Beacon, you agree to the practices described here.
1. Information We Collect
Information you provide directly:
- Account information: name, email address, username, and password (stored as a hashed value).
- Profile information: bio, location (city/state/country), profile photo, and political affiliation (optional).
- Debate content: speech audio, transcripts, and text during debates.
- Communications with us, such as support requests.
Information collected automatically:
- Usage data: pages visited, features used, debates participated in, and time spent on the Platform.
- Device and browser information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 5).
Information from third parties:
- If you sign in via Google, we receive your name, email address, and profile photo from Google per their privacy policy.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, operate, and improve the Platform.
- Create and manage your account.
- Match you with debate opponents.
- Generate AI-powered transcripts, scores, and debate summaries.
- Send you notifications about challenges, debate results, and platform activity.
- Enforce our Terms of Service and combat abuse.
- Analyze usage trends to improve the Platform.
- Communicate with you about platform updates, if you opt in.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:
- With other users: Your username, profile photo, debate history, and public profile are visible to other users per your privacy settings.
- Service providers: We use trusted third-party providers (including Supabase for database, Pusher for real-time messaging, LiveKit for video, and Resend for email) who process data on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements.
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or in response to valid legal processes.
- Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
- With your consent: We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
4. Data Retention
We retain your account information and debate history for as long as your account is active, or as needed to provide the Platform. You may delete your account at any time via Settings, which will remove your personal information from our systems within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes. Debate transcripts and summaries involving other participants may be retained in anonymized form.
5. Cookies
Beacon uses cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and understand how the Platform is used. We use:
- Essential cookies: Required for authentication and basic functionality. These cannot be disabled.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how the Platform is used. You may opt out by adjusting your browser settings.
6. Security
We implement industry-standard security measures including encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), hashed password storage, and access controls. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.
7. Children's Privacy
Beacon is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly. Contact us at privacy@joinbeacon.ai if you believe a child under 13 has provided us their information.
8. Your Rights & Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of your personal information ("right to be forgotten").
- Object to or restrict certain types of processing.
- Data portability (receiving your data in a structured, machine-readable format).
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@joinbeacon.ai. We will respond within 30 days.
9. Third-Party Links
The Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Platform and updating the effective date above. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at: privacy@joinbeacon.ai