Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

EmpathIQ provides enterprise-grade conversational AI kiosk systems that enable businesses to deliver personalized, multilingual customer experiences through digital human avatars. Our technology is designed with privacy at its core, utilizing on-premises processing to minimize data transmission and maximize security.

This Privacy Policy applies to:

Interactions with EmpathIQ kiosk systems deployed at our clients' locations
Visits to our website at empathiqtechnologies.com
Communications with our company

2. Our Privacy-First Architecture

2.1 On-Premises Processing

Unlike cloud-dependent solutions, EmpathIQ kiosks process data locally on the kiosk hardware. This means:

Voice data is processed on-device using local speech recognition
Conversation context remains on the local system during interactions
Personal information is not transmitted to external servers for processing
No persistent audio recordings are stored after conversation processing

2.2 Data Minimization

We adhere to data minimization principles:

We collect only the information necessary to provide our services
Conversation data is processed in real-time and not retained beyond the session unless specifically configured by the deploying business
We do not build user profiles across sessions unless explicitly enabled by the business client

2.3 No Biometric Processing

EmpathIQ does not perform biometric identification, facial recognition, or individual emotion profiling. Our systems process voice for speech-to-text conversion only and do not create voiceprints or biometric templates.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Kiosk Interaction Data

When you interact with an EmpathIQ kiosk, the system may process:

Data Type	Purpose	Retention
Voice input	Real-time speech recognition for conversation	Session only (not stored)
Conversation content	Understanding queries and providing responses	Session only (configurable)
Language preference	Delivering responses in your preferred language	Session only
Interaction metadata	Service improvement and analytics	Aggregated, anonymized

Important: Audio is converted to text locally and is not recorded or transmitted externally unless the deploying business has configured specific logging for quality assurance purposes, in which case appropriate notices will be displayed at the kiosk.

3.2 Website Visitor Data

When you visit our website, we may collect:

Usage data: Pages visited, time spent, referring URLs
Device information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution
Contact information: If you voluntarily submit inquiries via contact forms
Cookies: For website functionality and analytics (see Section 7)

3.3 Business Client Data

For our enterprise clients, we collect:

Business contact information
Billing and payment details
Technical configuration preferences
Support request history

4. How We Use Information

4.1 Kiosk Services

Information processed at kiosks is used to:

Understand and respond to customer queries
Provide multilingual support (English and Hindi, with additional Indic languages planned)
Generate contextually appropriate conversational tone and avatar expressions
Enable text-to-speech with accurate lip-sync visualization
Deliver information about products, services, or facilities

4.2 Service Improvement

Aggregated, anonymized data may be used to:

Improve speech recognition accuracy
Enhance natural language understanding
Optimize response quality and relevance
Develop new features and capabilities

4.3 Business Operations

We use business client information to:

Provide and maintain our services
Process transactions and send invoices
Provide technical support
Send service-related communications
Comply with legal obligations

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 We Do Not Sell Personal Information

EmpathIQ does not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5.2 Limited Sharing Scenarios

We may share information only in the following circumstances:

With Business Clients: Deploying businesses may access interaction data and analytics from their own kiosks in accordance with their privacy policies.

Service Providers: We work with trusted providers for:

Cloud infrastructure for business operations (not kiosk processing)
Payment processing
Customer support tools

All service providers are contractually bound to protect information and use it only for specified purposes.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, legal process, or government request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of EmpathIQ, our clients, or others.

Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, with continued protection under this policy.

6. Data Security

6.1 Technical Safeguards

We implement robust security measures including:

Local processing: Minimizes data transmission risks
Encryption: Data in transit uses TLS 1.3 encryption
Access controls: Role-based access for business client systems
Secure deployment: Hardened operating systems on kiosk hardware
Network isolation: Kiosks operate on isolated network segments

6.2 Organizational Safeguards

Employee security training and awareness
Incident response procedures
Regular security assessments
Vendor security reviews

For detailed security information, please see our Security Policy.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 Website Cookies

Our website uses cookies for:

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Essential	Website functionality, security	Session
Analytics	Understanding website usage	12 months
Preferences	Remembering your choices	12 months

7.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

7.3 Kiosk Systems

EmpathIQ kiosks do not use cookies or tracking technologies to identify individual users across sessions.

8. Your Rights and Choices

8.1 For Kiosk Users

Walk away: You can end any kiosk interaction at any time
Language choice: Select your preferred language at the start of interactions
Inquire: Ask the kiosk about data handling practices

8.2 For Website Visitors

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights to:

Access: Request information about data we hold about you
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
Objection: Object to certain processing activities
Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, contact us at info@empathiqtechnologies.com.

8.3 For Business Clients

Enterprise clients have full access to their configuration settings and can contact their account representative or info@empathiqtechnologies.com for data-related requests.

9. Data Retention

Data Category	Retention Period
Kiosk conversation data	Session only (default) or as configured by business client
Aggregated, anonymized analytics	24 months
Website contact form submissions	36 months
Business client records	Duration of relationship + 7 years
Support tickets	36 months after resolution

10. International Data Considerations

10.1 Local Processing Advantage

Because EmpathIQ kiosks process data locally, personal information typically remains within the jurisdiction where the kiosk is deployed.

10.2 Business Operations

For business operations and website services, data may be processed in India. We implement appropriate safeguards for any cross-border data transfers, such as contractual protections and access controls consistent with applicable data protection laws.

11. Children's Privacy

EmpathIQ kiosks are deployed in public and commercial environments. EmpathIQ services are not designed to intentionally target or profile children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 (or applicable age in your jurisdiction). If a kiosk interaction involves a child, parents or guardians should supervise the interaction.

12. AI and Automated Decision-Making

12.1 Transparency

EmpathIQ kiosks use artificial intelligence to:

Convert speech to text
Understand natural language queries
Generate conversational responses
Synthesize speech output
Display contextually appropriate avatar expressions

12.2 Human Oversight

Our AI systems are designed to:

Escalate complex queries to human staff when appropriate
Operate within defined parameters set by deploying businesses
Provide accurate information based on configured knowledge bases

12.3 Limitations

Users should be aware that AI responses, while designed to be helpful and accurate, may occasionally contain errors. For critical decisions, we recommend confirming information with human staff.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will:

Post the updated policy on our website
Update the "Last Updated" date
Notify business clients of material changes via email

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy:

Email: info@empathiqtechnologies.com

Mailing Address:
EmpathIQ Technologies Private Limited
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

15. Applicable Law

EmpathIQ complies with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and associated rules, including the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.