Among the Living - Privacy Policy

Last Updated: May 9, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to "Among the Living" (hereinafter "the Project"), a speculative exploration that inverts conventional human-AI interaction through an intentionally naive artificial Agent. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you interact with our Agent.

The Project is designed as a social experiment where, unlike traditional AI systems that provide answers, our Agent approaches participants with curiosity and questions. As participants become caretakers and teachers in this ecosystem, we collect data about these interactions to study knowledge transfer, care relationships, and community building.

2. Data Controller

Email: privacy@amongtheliving.com

3. Data Protection Officer

Email: dpo@amongtheliving.com

4. Personal Data We Collect

When you interact with the Among the Living Agent, we collect:

• Conversation Data: The complete content of all conversations between you and the Agent, including text, audio, or any other form of communication.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the Agent, including frequency, duration, and patterns of interaction.
• Technical Data: IP address, device information, browser type, operating system, and other technical identifiers.
• Optional Profile Information: Any personal details you choose to share with the Agent during conversations, such as your name, interests, opinions, or demographic information.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:

• Consent: By accepting this Privacy Policy, you provide explicit consent for us to collect and process your personal data as described herein. This consent is the primary legal basis for our data processing activities.
• Legitimate Interest: Where applicable, we may process certain data based on our legitimate interest in conducting research about human-AI interaction, community building, and knowledge transfer patterns.
• Contractual Necessity: Some processing may be necessary to fulfill our terms of service.

6. How We Use Your Data

Your personal data will be used for:

• Research Purposes: Analyzing patterns of human-AI interaction, knowledge transfer mechanisms, and community building dynamics.
• Improving the Agent: Developing and refining the Agent's ability to engage in meaningful interactions.
• Creating Connection Opportunities: Identifying potential collaborative opportunities between participants with complementary interests or expertise (always with prior consent).
• Academic Publication: Sharing anonymized findings with the academic and research community.
• Project Documentation: Creating case studies and examples that demonstrate the Project's impact and findings.

7. Data Sharing and Recipients

Your personal data may be shared with:

• Research Team Members: Authorized personnel working directly on the Project.
• Academic Partners: Researchers from affiliated institutions who have signed appropriate data protection agreements.
• Service Providers: Technical providers hosting our infrastructure or providing analytical tools (all bound by data processing agreements).
• Other Participants: With your explicit consent, we may connect you with other participants for collaborative opportunities.

We will not sell your personal data to third parties or use it for commercial advertising purposes.

8. International Data Transfers

Your data may be transferred to, and processed in, countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA). When this occurs, we implement appropriate safeguards including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Data Processing Agreements with adequate protection measures
• Only transferring data to countries with adequacy decisions where applicable

9. Data Retention

We will retain your personal data for:

• The duration of the Project (estimated to be 2.5 years)
• Plus an additional period of 1 year for research verification and academic integrity purposes

After this period, data will either be:

• Permanently anonymized (removing all personally identifiable information)
• Deleted if anonymization is not feasible

10. Your Data Protection Rights

Under GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data.
• Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Oppose our processing of your data.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Revoke previously given consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@amongtheliving.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

11. Transparency About Conversation Collection

Important Notice: The Project is designed to collect ALL conversations with the Agent. No conversation is considered private or off-the-record. Every interaction is recorded, stored, and may be analyzed as part of our research.

This approach is fundamental to our research methodology, which examines how humans interact with and teach a naive AI agent. By participating, you acknowledge and consent to this comprehensive data collection.

12. Automated Decision-Making and Profiling

The Project may use automated processes to:

• Analyze conversation patterns
• Identify potential collaborative connections between participants
• Adapt the Agent's learning trajectory

However, no significant decisions affecting your legal rights, financial status, or access to services will be made solely through automated means.

13. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Encryption of data at rest and in transit
• Access controls and authentication procedures
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Staff training on data protection requirements
• Documented data breach procedures

14. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website and application may use cookies and similar tracking technologies. For detailed information, please refer to our separate Cookie Policy.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. All changes will be posted on our website, and if significant changes are made, we will notify you via email or through the application.

16. Complaints

If you believe your data protection rights have been violated, you may:

• Contact us directly at privacy@amongtheliving.com
• Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

17. Contact Information

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

• Privacy Team
• Among the Living Project
• Email: privacy@amongtheliving.com