Privacy Policy

This policy explains what Affection Labs, Inc. ("we", "us") collects when you use Lapwing at https://lapwing.live (the "Service"), why we collect it, how long we keep it, and what you can do about it.

Lapwing is a closed beta. It is free and open only to invited adults. If you have a question, write to founders@affectionlabs.com.

The short version

• When you talk to Maki, we record the call and keep the recording and transcript for 90 days. Then they are deleted automatically.
• Maki keeps a short note about you so she can remember you next time. It stays until you ask us to delete it.
• We use analytics, including a replay of what happens on the page, to find bugs and improve the Service.
• We do not sell your data. We do not show ads. We do not take payments.

What we collect

During a call with Maki

• Audio. Your microphone audio and Maki's audio. We keep a stereo recording of each call. By starting a call you agree to this recording.
• Transcripts and call events. A written record of what you and Maki said, and technical events from the call (for example, when it started and ended).
• Typed chat. Any text you type to Maki.
• A memory note. A short note about you that is written from what you said in your calls. It helps Maki remember you between calls.

When you use the website

• IP address and browser details. Your IP address and your browser's user agent (the string that names your browser and device type).
• Cookies. See "Cookies" below.
• Analytics and session replay. See "Analytics and session replay" below.

When you join the waitlist

• Your email address.

We do not ask for your name. But anything you say or type to Maki is collected, so do not share sensitive details, or details about other people, that you do not want recorded.

Why we collect it

We use this information to:

• Run the Service: connect your call, turn your speech into text, let Maki reply in her voice, and show her moving.
• Let Maki remember you between calls.
• Check that only invited people get in, and stop abuse.
• Find and fix bugs, and understand how the Service is used.
• Improve Maki and the Service.
• Tell you when you can join, if you are on the waitlist.
• Meet legal duties.

We also get real-time alerts when someone signs in or starts a call. These alerts include the IP address and a short summary of the device. We use them to watch the beta and spot misuse.

How long we keep it

Who processes it

We use service providers to run the Service. They process data for us, under our instructions, and only to provide their service to us. They fall into these groups:

• A real-time audio and call provider
• A speech-to-text provider
• A language model provider, which writes Maki's replies
• A voice synthesis provider, which speaks Maki's replies
• A GPU hosting provider, which generates Maki's body motion
• Analytics providers, including session replay and web analytics
• A web hosting provider
• A database and file storage provider
• A messaging app, which delivers sign-in and call alerts to us

We may also share information if the law requires it, to protect people's safety, or to protect our rights. If Affection Labs is sold or merged, the information may pass to the new owner under this policy.

We do not sell your personal data. We do not share it for advertising.

Cookies

We set two cookies of our own:

• lapwing_access proves you entered a valid access code. It lasts 30 days.
• lapwing_visitor is a random id for your browser. It links your calls to your memory note, so Maki can remember you. It does not contain your name. It lasts 1 year.

Our analytics providers also set their own cookies. They help us count visits and understand how the page is used.

You can clear or block cookies in your browser. If you block lapwing_access, you cannot get past the access screen. If you clear lapwing_visitor, Maki will treat you as a new person. Clearing it does not delete the old memory note on our side. To delete the note, write to us (see below). We do not respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals.

Analytics and session replay

We use product analytics with session replay, and web analytics.

Session replay records what happens on the page while you use it. This includes the text you type to Maki and the 3D scene shown on screen. It does not record your access code. We use replays to find bugs and see where the Service is confusing.

Web analytics tells us how many people visit and which pages they open.

Maki's memory note

After your calls, the Service writes a short note about you from what you said. For example, it may note your interests or something you told Maki. The note is linked to your browser's lapwing_visitor cookie, not to your name.

The note stays until you ask us to delete it. To delete it, email founders@affectionlabs.com with the subject "Delete my memory note". Tell us the date and rough time of one of your calls, so we can find the right note. We will confirm when it is gone.

Children

The Service is only for people aged 18 or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe someone under 18 has used the Service, write to us and we will delete their information.

Your rights

You can ask us to:

• Access the information we hold about you.
• Delete your information, including your memory note, recordings, transcripts and waitlist email.
• Correct information that is wrong.

Write to founders@affectionlabs.com. We may ask for details, such as the date and time of a call, to find your data and confirm the request is yours. We aim to reply within 30 days.

Depending on where you live, you may have other rights under local law, including the right to complain to a privacy authority. Write to us and we will help.

Where your data is processed

Affection Labs is based in the United States. We and our service providers process and store data in the United States. If you use the Service from another country, your data will be moved to the United States, where privacy laws may differ from yours.

Security

We use reasonable measures to protect your data. Access to recordings and transcripts is limited to the people who run the Service. No system is perfectly secure, so we cannot promise that your data will never be accessed without permission.

Changes to this policy

We may change this policy. When we do, we will post the new version on this page and update the effective date. If a change is important, we will also show a notice on the site before it takes effect. If you keep using the Service after a change, the new policy applies.

Contact

Affection Labs, Inc.

Email: founders@affectionlabs.com