1. Introduction

Welcome to File9 ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect, use, and safeguard your information. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding data collection and usage when you use our country analytics platform at file9.ai (the "Service").

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

• Chat Queries: Questions and queries you submit to our country analytics chat interface
• Feedback: Messages, suggestions, and feedback you voluntarily submit through our feedback form
• Email Address: Optional email address provided when submitting feedback (only if you choose to provide it)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent on the Service
• Technical Data: Browser type, device information, IP address, and operating system
• Cookies: Session data and preferences stored locally in your browser
• Log Data: Access times, error logs, and system diagnostics

2.3 Chat History

Your conversation history is stored locally in your browser using localStorage and sessionStorage. We do not store your complete chat history on our servers. However, we do log anonymized query metadata for analytics and improvement purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide country analytics, answer your queries, and deliver requested information
• Service Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, improve our algorithms, and enhance user experience
• Technical Maintenance: To monitor system performance, diagnose technical issues, and ensure service reliability
• Communication: To respond to your feedback and inquiries (only if you provided contact information)
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our Service and identify areas for improvement
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address security issues, fraud, or technical problems

4. Data Storage and Security

4.1 Data Storage

• Chat History: Stored locally in your browser; you can clear it at any time
• Query Logs: Anonymized query metadata stored on our servers for analytics
• Feedback: Stored securely in our database with encryption at rest
• Country Data: Public country data stored in our database

4.2 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure database encryption at rest
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication for administrative functions
• Rate limiting to prevent abuse

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share data in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: Third-party services that help us operate our platform (e.g., hosting, analytics). These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Protection of Rights: To protect our rights, property, safety, or that of our users
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (users will be notified)

6. Third-Party Services

Our Service uses the following third-party services:

• AI Service Providers (e.g., OpenAI, Google Gemini, DeepSeek): For natural language processing and query understanding. Subject to the respective provider's privacy policy.
• Cloud Hosting: For server infrastructure and data storage
• Analytics Services: For usage analytics and service improvement

These third-party services have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your data:

• Access: Request access to your personal data
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations)
• Clear History: Clear your local chat history at any time using your browser settings
• Opt-Out: Stop using the Service at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at the feedback form provided in the Contact section.

8. Cookies and Local Storage

We use cookies and browser local storage to enhance your experience:

• Session Cookies: To maintain your session and preferences
• Local Storage: To store your chat history locally in your browser
• Analytics Cookies: To understand usage patterns (anonymized)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may limit functionality.

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.

10. International Users

Our Service is operated from Ireland. If you are accessing the Service from outside Ireland, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in Ireland or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the Service, you consent to such transfer and processing.

11. Data Retention

We retain data for the following periods:

• Chat History: Stored locally in your browser until you clear it
• Query Logs: Anonymized metadata retained for up to 12 months for analytics
• Feedback: Retained indefinitely unless deletion is requested
• Technical Logs: Retained for 90 days for security and diagnostics

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify users of significant changes by posting a notice on our website or updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

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

14. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

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

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to say no to the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to access your personal information
• Right to equal service and price (non-discrimination)

15. European Users (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent

Our legal basis for processing your data is: (1) your consent, (2) performance of a contract, (3) compliance with legal obligations, or (4) our legitimate interests in providing and improving the Service.