AetherLenz Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 01 February 2025
Table of Contents
1. AETHERLENZ'S COMMITMENT TO PRIVACY
Aether-Z Technologies, Inc. or as "AetherLenz" is committed to managing personal information in accordance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and other applicable privacy laws. We prioritize transparency in how we collect, store, use, and share your personal information, including data related to facial recognition and biometric information. This Privacy Policy explains our data handling practices, and we encourage you to read it carefully. For any questions, please contact us using the details provided in Section 18.
2. ABOUT AETHERLENZ
AetherLenz operates as a platform that connects travelers with local photographers through organizers. Our mission is to enhance travel experiences by providing high-quality photography services at tourist spots and attractions. We utilize advanced technologies, including facial recognition and AI-enhanced photo processing, to help travelers find and purchase photos featuring their likeness.
3. ABOUT THIS PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, store, process, use, and disclose personal information, including both data we collect directly from you and information submitted to us through the AetherLenz platform.
Other privacy terms may apply, including:
- Privacy terms outlined in the AetherLenz Terms and Conditions.
- Collection notices and privacy statements provided at the time your personal information is collected.
- Privacy policies of third-party service providers we use, such as Amazon Web Services or AWS AI Services and other third-party software providers.
- Privacy policies of third-party websites accessible through links on our platform.
4. DEFINITIONS
- AetherLenz Platform: The online service operated by AetherLenz, accessible at aetherlenz.com, where users can upload, search, and purchase photos.
- Organizer: A local business, agency, or operator that has registered on the AetherLenz Platform to manage photography collections for travel experiences and hire photographers.
- Photographer: An individual affiliated with an organizer who provides photography services and uploads photos to the platform.
- End User (Traveler): Individuals who use the platform to search for and purchase photos that include their likeness.
- User: A collective term for Organizers, Photographers, End Users, or any individual that uses the AetherLenz platform.
- Personal Information: Information that identifies an individual, such as name, email address, contact number, IP address, or any data that can reasonably be linked to an identifiable individual.
- Face Data: Information derived from facial features that are processed using AI services to enable photo matching and recognition. While face data is not considered sensitive under Philippine law, it is treated with care and appropriate safeguards.
- Liveness Verification: A security process that ensures the person registering and uploading Reference Photos is physically present and the legitimate owner of the photos. Liveness verification is conducted every three months to confirm active user status.
- Face Analysis: A process using AI services, such as AWS AI, to analyze facial features in uploaded photos to enable searching and identification of photos containing the user's likeness.
- Minor: An individual under the age of 18 years.
- Nominee for Minor: An authorized adult, usually a parent or legal guardian, who consents on behalf of a minor to the collection and use of the minor's personal information.
- IP Address: A unique identifier used to locate computers over the internet. We collect IP addresses automatically when you use our platform.
- Cookies: Small files placed on your device when you visit our website that collect and store information about your interactions with our platform. Cookies help us improve user experience and provide personalized services.
- Browser Type and Version: Information about the browser software you use to access our platform, which helps us optimize our services for different technologies.
- Location Data: Information about your geographic location, which can be enabled or disabled through your device settings. This data helps us provide location-based services.
5. WHEN DO WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION?
We collect your information at various points depending on your role on the AetherLenz platform:
- Organizers: When you register on our platform, we collect business details, contact information, and documents proving your authority to operate at specific locations. This occurs when you create an account or update your profile.
- Photographers: When you register as a photographer affiliated with an organizer, we collect your name, contact details, and professional information.
- End Users (Travelers): We collect your email address when you register, and during checkout, we collect your name, email address, country, and IP address. Additionally, we collect face data when you upload a selfie or interact with photos that include your likeness. Face data is processed by AWS AI Services temporarily.
6. WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU AND HOW DO WE COLLECT THIS INFORMATION?
The types of personal information we collect and how we collect it depend on your interactions with AetherLenz:
| Type of User | Type of Personal Information | What This Includes | How We Collect This Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organizers | Personal Information | Business name, contact details, operational documents, and financial information. | Collected during account registration and when creating or managing photography collections. |
| Photographers | Personal Information | Name, contact details, and affiliation with organizers. | Collected during account registration and profile updates. |
| End Users (Travelers) | Personal Information | Email address for registration, and during checkout: name, email address, country, and IP address. | Collected when you register, during checkout, and when using the platform to purchase photos. |
| End Users (Travelers) | Personal Information | Face data or its mathematical representation (derived from facial features) used for photo search. | Collected when users upload selfies or use facial recognition to search photos on the platform. This data is processed by AWS AI Services temporarily. |
| All Users | Technical Information | IP address, cookies, browser type and version, and location data. | Collected automatically when you access and use our platform. Location data can be enabled or disabled by you through your device settings. |
7. FACE ANALYSIS AND AWS AI SERVICES
AetherLenz uses Face Analysis through AWS AI Services to facilitate the photo search feature on our platform. When you upload a selfie or when photos are uploaded by photographers, this data is processed by AWS AI Services to identify and match your likeness in photos.
- Data Sharing with AWS: When you upload a selfie, it is shared with AWS AI Services solely for the purpose of Face Analysis. AetherLenz does not collect, store, or have access to the Face Analysis data processed by AWS. AWS manages this data under its own privacy terms and conditions. You can review AWS's privacy practices .
- Liveness Verification: To confirm the continued activity of your account, liveness verification will be conducted every three months. If liveness verification is not successfully completed, your face data will be deleted after six months from the last successful verification.
- Data Retention: Face data is retained by AWS for as long as the user remains active. If the account becomes inactive, the data is deleted six months after the last successful liveness verification.
For more details on how AWS handles biometric data, please refer to the AWS AI Services documentation .
8. PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR SOMEONE ELSE
If you provide personal information on behalf of someone else, such as a minor or another individual, you must have their consent to provide their information to AetherLenz in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If providing information for a minor, you must be their parent or legal guardian and provide consent on their behalf. For minors, the nominee must provide appropriate authorization and consent for the collection and use of the minor's personal information on the platform.
9. WHY DO WE COLLECT, STORE, AND USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
AetherLenz collects, stores, and uses personal information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Service Provision | To provide access to and improve our platform, including facial recognition searches, managing collections, and facilitating photo purchases. |
| Account Management | To manage user accounts, handle support requests, and communicate with users about their accounts and activities on the platform. |
| Payment Processing | To manage payments on the platform, where users purchase tokens/credits, which are transferred to organizers when photos are bought. Organizers can withdraw these funds at any time. |
| Face Data Use | To enable facial recognition technology for users to easily search and find photos containing their likeness. This face data is temporarily processed solely by AWS AI Services and not directly stored by AetherLenz. |
| Legal Compliance | To comply with legal requirements, protect our legal rights, and assist with investigations by regulatory bodies or law enforcement as necessary. |
| Marketing and Communications | To send marketing messages and other communications relevant to your interests, subject to your communication preferences. |
| Technical Data Collection | To improve and customize our platform based on your IP address, cookies, browser type and version, and location data. This helps us enhance user experience and troubleshoot technical issues. |
11. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Organizers and Photographers must ensure that all End Users (Travelers) are clearly informed and have provided freely given, specific, and explicit consent prior to capturing any photo or video.
No media may be captured or uploaded unless such consent has been obtained, and it is the Organizer's duty to document or verify this process. This ensures compliance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act and applicable global standards on biometric data.
12. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS
AetherLenz operates globally, and your personal information may be transferred and processed in countries outside of your own, including those that may have different data protection standards. We take reasonable steps to ensure your information is protected and transferred in accordance with applicable laws.
13. HOW DO WE STORE AND PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
AetherLenz is committed to protecting your personal information through reasonable security measures, including encryption, access controls, and secure storage solutions. We store electronic records securely and have procedures in place to protect against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of your information.
14. HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. Face data processed by AWS is retained for as long as the user remains active, as determined by liveness verification. If the account becomes inactive, face data is deleted after six months from the last successful liveness verification.
15. ACCESS AND CORRECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
You have the right to request access to or correction of your personal information. If you believe any information we hold about you is incorrect or needs updating, please contact us using the details provided in Section 18.
16. COMPLAINTS ABOUT PRIVACY HANDLING
If you have any concerns about our handling of your personal information, please contact us using the details provided below. We will take your complaint seriously and work with you to resolve any issues promptly.
17. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
AetherLenz may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website, and the effective date will be updated accordingly. We recommend reviewing this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
18. CONTACT US
For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: privacy@aetherlenz.com
Website: https://aetherlenz.com