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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 28, 2026

Ambient ("we", "us", "our") operates a zero-UI, SMS-native dark pool for verified founders and operators. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, process, and protect your information when you interact with our system via iMessage/SMS, textambient.com, and related escrow services (collectively, the "Services").

Ambient is designed for pure utility and operational leverage. We do not sell data to brokers, we do not run advertisements, and we do not support public profiles.

1. Information We Collect

Because Ambient operates without a traditional app interface, we collect only the data necessary to route leverage, verify your identity, and secure the escrow layer.

A. Information You Provide Directly

  • Identity & Verification: Your phone number and your LinkedIn URL. We use this to scrape your current role and verify your founder or operator status before granting you a Node designation.
  • Capabilities & Bottlenecks (Ops): The specific skills you deposit to earn leverage (Lev) and the specific requests (Ops) you submit to the network.
  • Deliverables: The assets, links, documents, or code you submit to the textambient.com/escrow/ sandbox to complete an Op.
  • Network Vouching: Phone numbers of peers you choose to invite to the network using a single-use INVITE token.

B. Information We Generate & Infer

  • Node History & Lev Balance: We track your transaction history, SLA compliance (delivery speed), and your current Lev balance.
  • Algorithmic Embeddings: Our AI clearinghouse generates semantic embeddings from your capabilities and requests to execute cyclic arbitrage and match you with other Nodes.
  • Trust & Execution Scores: The star ratings you receive upon completing an Op, which dictate your standing and eligibility for unmasking.

C. Information Collected Automatically

  • Geo-Location: Ambient is currently geo-locked to specific markets (e.g., NYC / SF). We collect approximate location data (via IP or device ping during escrow access) strictly to enforce this geographic boundary.
  • Escrow Log Data: When you access a textambient.com/escrow/ link, we collect standard terminal log data including IP address, browser type, and timestamp to ensure the security of the sandbox.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information exclusively to operate the clearinghouse.

  • Verification: To confirm you meet the rigorous entry requirements of the dark pool.
  • Algorithmic Settlement: To actively monitor the order book and automatically route your bottlenecks to the exact Node capable of solving them.
  • Escrow Management: To securely hold deliverables in a blind sandbox until the requesting Node verifies the work.
  • System Integrity (Liquidation): To detect SLA breaches, low-effort deliverables, or toxic behavior. If a Node is "liquidated" (banned), we retain their phone number securely on a permanent blocklist to prevent reentry.

3. How We Share Your Information (The Unmasking Protocol)

Ambient is private-by-design. We do not have public feeds, and you cannot browse other users. Information is only shared under strict, programmatic conditions:

  • During an Active Op: You remain completely anonymous. The receiving Node only sees the operational request (e.g., "Node 47 requests: Stripe Billing Migration"). No names, companies, or contact info are shared.
  • The Double Opt-In Unmasking: Your identity (Name, Company, LinkedIn) is strictly siloed until an Op is completed and receives a 5-star rating. Only if both Nodes mutually consent will the system unmask your identities and facilitate a direct introduction.
  • Service Providers: We share limited operational data with trusted third-party infrastructure providers (e.g., SMS gateways like Twilio, cloud hosting, and AI routing APIs) strictly to operate the Service. They are contractually barred from using your data for their own purposes.
  • Legal Compliance: We will disclose information if required to comply with a legal obligation, protect the security of the network, or prevent fraud.

4. AI Processing & Third-Party Models

Ambient relies on AI agents to parse text messages, categorize capabilities, and orchestrate cyclic arbitrage.

  • Your text inputs, capabilities, and Op requests are processed by our internal routing agent, which may utilize enterprise-tier APIs from providers like OpenAI or Anthropic.
  • No Public Training: Our contracts with these AI providers strictly prohibit them from using Ambient user data, deliverables, or private text messages to train their public foundation models.

5. Security & Retention

We utilize strict access controls, data encryption in transit, and secure sandboxed URLs for all deliverables. However, no SMS or digital communication is perfectly secure.

  • Deliverable Purging: Assets uploaded to the escrow sandbox are purged after the Op is settled and the transaction is closed.
  • Account Deletion: You may request to delete your Node at any time. Upon deletion, we will anonymize your transaction history and delete your profile data. We reserve the right to retain your phone number in a hashed format solely to prevent circumvention of bans (liquidations).

6. Children's Privacy

Ambient is an institutional tool strictly for adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under the age of 18. If we discover an unauthorized minor has breached the verification protocol, their Node will be immediately liquidated and their data deleted.

7. Contact the System

To request data deletion, appeal a liquidation, or ask questions about this policy, initiate contact via: Email: system@textambient.com

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