Privacy Policy
Last Updated: September 10, 2024
This Privacy Policy covers our treatment of personally identifiable information (“Personal Information”) that we gather when you are accessing or using our Services, but does not apply to the practices of companies we don’t own or control, or people that we don’t manage. We gather various types of Personal Information from our users, as explained in more detail below, and we use this Personal Information internally in connection with our Services, including to personalize, provide, and improve our services, to allow you to set up a user account and profile, to contact you and allow other third parties to contact you, to fulfill your requests for certain products and services, and to analyze how you use the Services. In certain cases, we may also share Personal Information with third parties, but only as described below.
Our Services may contain links to websites and services that are owned or operated by third parties (each, a “Third-party Service”). Any information that you provide on or to a Third-party Service or that is collected by a Third-party Service is provided directly to the owner or operator of the Third-party Service and is subject to the owner’s or operator’s privacy policy. We’re not responsible for the content, privacy, or security practices and policies of any Third-party Service. To protect your information, we recommend that you carefully review the privacy policies of all Third-party Services that you access.
As noted in the Terms of Use, we do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from anyone under the age of 13. If you are under 13, please do not attempt to register for the Services or send any personal information about yourself to us. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under age 13, we will delete that information as quickly as possible. If you believe that a child under 13 may have provided us with personal information, please contact us at hello@smartlegal.ai.
Will Smart Legal AI ever change this Privacy Policy?
We’re constantly trying to improve our Services, so we may need to change this Privacy Policy from time to time as well. However, we will alert you to changes by placing a notice on the Smart Legal AI website, by sending you an email, and/or by other means. Please note that if you haven’t provided us with your email address or fail to update your email address, those legal notices will still govern your use of the Services, and you are still responsible for reading and understanding them. If you use the Services after any changes to the Privacy Policy have been posted, that means you agree to all of the changes. Use of information we collect now is subject to the Privacy Policy in effect at the time such information is used.
What Information Does Smart Legal AI Collect?
We collect and store any information you provide during your interaction with our legal intake chatbot or through other features on our platform. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Personal Information: Such as your name, email address, phone number, and specific details regarding your legal inquiry, all provided via the chatbot during the intake process.
Third-Party Account Information: If you log in using third-party accounts (e.g., Google, Facebook), we may access the information you allow through your privacy settings on those accounts. This may include your name, profile picture, contact details, and any other data permitted under the third-party account’s privacy policies.
To access certain features of our platform or to interact with law firms using our services, you may be required to provide personal details, some of which will be essential for registration and service delivery.
Communications
If you provide us with contact details such as your email address or phone number, we may send you communications related to your use of the Smart Legal AI service. These communications may include updates, service notifications, or promotional offers. We may also receive confirmation when you open emails from us, which helps improve our communication strategies and enhance your user experience. If you do not wish to receive promotional emails, you can opt-out by contacting us at hello@smartlegal.ai.
Data Collected Through Our Services
We collect Personal Information through our website and AI chatbot services when you:
Request information about legal services or any of our products.
Register for newsletters or other communications.
Provide Personal Information to create an account, submit legal inquiries, or enter details about yourself or third parties as part of the chatbot intake process.
Share payment information for services, if applicable.
User Data Submission
You may submit various types of User Data through our services, including:
Information that identifies you or others, such as potential clients, attorneys, or third parties you mention during the chatbot interaction.
Legal case details or other relevant information provided during the legal intake process.
Any data transmitted to Smart Legal AI via scripts, APIs, or other coding tools related to the chatbot or legal intake process.
Third-Party Data Integration
If you use third-party log-in credentials to access the platform, we may access data such as names, email addresses, or other personal details that those third parties allow us to collect based on your privacy settings. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services.
Contact Information
With your explicit consent, Smart Legal AI may access your contacts from your mobile device or computer. This data helps us facilitate connections between you and other users of the platform, including clients and attorneys. We use this information as follows:
For Clients: If you are a client, we may automatically connect you with other clients or attorneys in your contacts who are using Smart Legal AI services. We may also identify attorneys from your contacts and ask if you’d like to connect with them.
For Attorneys: If you are an attorney, we may use your contacts to identify clients using our services who may have you listed in their contacts. We may prompt these clients to connect with you through the platform if mutual consent is present.
Please note that importing contacts may automatically connect you with new users who join the platform after you if they are already stored in your contacts.
Information Submitted by You to the Services
You may provide information about individuals or entities that are not yet registered on Smart Legal AI, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses (“Third-Party Contact Information”). Before submitting such third-party information, you must obtain the necessary consent to do so. By submitting this data, you acknowledge that Smart Legal AI may use it to invite those individuals to use our services.
Information Collected Automatically
Whenever you interact with Smart Legal AI, we automatically collect certain information from your browser or device, such as:
IP address
Device identification
Cookie information
Web beacon data
Operating system and browser type
Pages or features accessed
This information helps us analyze usage patterns, improve service performance, and customize content based on your activity. For instance, it informs us about which features of our service are used most frequently, so we can optimize them for a better user experience.
Cookies
Cookies are small files that we transfer to your browser or device, allowing us to recognize and track usage patterns. They help us determine how often certain features are used, identify user preferences, and tailor content to improve your experience. You can manage cookie settings through your browser, though limiting cookies may impact your ability to use some features.
Third-party service providers, including advertisers, may also use cookies when you interact with their ads or content on our platform. Smart Legal AI’s privacy policy does not cover the use of cookies by third-party services, so we encourage users to review those parties’ policies.
Web Beacons
We use web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs) to track user behavior on our platform. These tiny graphics are typically embedded invisibly on pages or emails and allow us to assess the performance of features, content, or advertisements. Web beacons enable us to monitor how many users interact with our services and how effective our advertising efforts are.
Information Collected From Other Websites and Do Not Track Policy
Through cookies placed on your browser or device, Smart Legal AI may collect information about your online activities even after you leave our services. This allows us to improve our offerings, tailor your experience, and customize content for you as described in this Privacy Policy. Note that third-party service providers (such as advertisers) may also place their own cookies on your device. While this Privacy Policy covers our use of cookies, it does not extend to cookies used by third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services you engage with.
Your browser may offer a "Do Not Track" option, allowing you to signal your preferences regarding tracking your activities across websites. However, Smart Legal AI does not currently support "Do Not Track" requests. This means that we may continue to collect information about your online activity both during and after your interaction with our services.
Information Sent by Your Mobile Device
When you use our services via a mobile device, Smart Legal AI may collect certain data that your device sends, such as device identifiers, user settings, operating system information, and details about your interaction with the platform. This helps us monitor and improve the services.
Location Information
If you enable location services on your mobile device, we may collect and store your location data, either through GPS coordinates or by converting your IP address into a rough geo-location. This information allows us to enhance your experience by providing location-based services. If you do not wish to share your location, you may disable location services on your device.
Your Communications
Any communications made between users through our services will be collected, saved, and stored by Smart Legal AI. These communications may be reviewed, scanned, or analyzed for purposes such as fraud prevention, risk assessment, or customer support. However, we will not use or analyze your communications for third-party marketing purposes, nor will we sell this data to third parties.
Use of Personal Information
Smart Legal AI may use the personal information you provide to:
Provide the services you request through the platform.
Send you updates, notifications, and messages related to your usage of the platform.
Provide administrative information, such as updates to terms, conditions, or policies.
Personalize your experience on the platform by tailoring content based on your preferences.
Enable you to send messages to third parties through our platform (e.g., referring a friend). By using this feature, you confirm that you are authorized to provide your friend's name and email address.
Conduct internal business purposes such as data analysis, audits, research, product development, and service improvement.
Fulfill compliance purposes, including legal obligations, protecting operational security, enforcing terms and conditions, or limiting potential damages.
Combining Data
Smart Legal AI may combine the personal information you submit through our platform with data collected from other online and offline sources to enhance our services and improve your experience.
Will Smart Legal AI Share Any of the Personal Information it Receives?
We may share your personal information with third parties, as detailed below, in order to provide you with legal intake services and improve the platform.
Third Parties We Share Information With
We share your personal information with the following categories of third parties:
Attorneys: We share your personal information with third-party attorneys to facilitate communication between you and potential legal representatives.
Third-Party Services: We use a variety of GDPR-compliant third-party services to help operate our platform and provide the services you request. These services may change over time, and the current list includes:
Microsoft
Mixpanel
Stripe
Hotjar
Zoho
Zapier
ChatGPT/Open AI
These third-party service providers may have access to personal information as required to perform their functions, but they are not permitted to use this data for any other purpose
User Profiles, Submissions, and Communications
Certain user profile information, including your name, location, legal intake data, and any media you upload (such as videos or images), may be displayed to other users to enable interaction within the platform or to provide the requested services.
If you use the chat functionality within the services, your communications will be visible to all participants in that chat session. Any information you voluntarily share in public areas, such as discussion boards or message threads, becomes visible to other users and can be further shared by them. This includes any personal details, messages, comments, or media you upload. We advise that you use caution when sharing personal information in public spaces on the platform.
For attorneys, users who search for you may also see which clients have recommended you or connected with you via the platform.
Information That Is No Longer Personally Identifiable
We may anonymize your personal information so that it no longer identifies you individually. This anonymized data may be shared with our partners, who use it to analyze service usage and improve their offerings. We may also share aggregate usage data (which does not personally identify any individual) with partners, allowing them to better understand how users interact with our services.
However, we ensure that this aggregate data cannot be used to personally identify you.
Third-Party Analytics Services
Smart Legal AI uses third-party analytics services to help us improve our services, grow our business, and monitor platform usage. These services include:
Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to track user events and page views. This helps us better understand user behavior and optimize the user experience. For more information on how Google collects and processes data, visit Google’s Privacy Policy.
Mixpanel: We use Mixpanel to gather analytics about user interactions on the platform. You can opt out of Mixpanel's data retention by visiting Mixpanel’s opt-out page. Note that Mixpanel uses an opt-out cookie, so if you clear your cookies or use a new browser, you may need to opt out again.
Advertisers
We may work with advertisers or merchant partners ("Advertisers") to tailor advertisements and promotional offers to specific user demographics. You agree that we may share non-personally identifiable information collected from you with Advertisers to help them target the appropriate audience for their ads and offers. For instance, if you are located in Los Angeles, we may use that information to show you ads for Los Angeles-based businesses without sharing your personal identity with the advertisers. Alternatively, Advertisers may target ads to users with similar usage patterns, but we will only provide usage data in aggregate form, not in a way that personally identifies you.
Please note, if you respond to an ad shown based on certain demographics, the Advertiser may infer that you fit the criteria of the target audience.
We may also use web beacons to allow ad networks to collect anonymized, aggregated data for auditing, reporting, and serving targeted ads. These beacons enable ad networks to recognize your browser, serve you tailored ads, and track your behavior across other websites. By interacting with these networks, they may set or edit cookies on your device. You can opt-out of this ad targeting by visiting http://www.aboutads.info/choices or http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/ for European users, or adjust your mobile device settings to limit ad tracking. You may also configure your browser’s Do Not Track settings, though Smart Legal AI does not control how third parties comply with Do Not Track requests.
Affiliated Businesses
At times, Smart Legal AI may partner with affiliated businesses or third-party websites to sell or offer services to you through our platform. If you engage in a transaction or service with an affiliated business, we may share your personal information to the extent necessary to complete the transaction. For example, you may link third-party accounts, such as importing your Facebook friend list to the platform.
Please be aware that once you interact with a third-party business or website, their privacy policies govern your data. We encourage you to review their policies, as Smart Legal AI has no control over their data handling practices.
Agents
We work with trusted third-party companies and individuals to assist us in providing our services. These agents may include payment processors, customer service providers, or data hosting companies. We share your personal information with these agents only to the extent required for them to perform their tasks, such as processing a payment. These agents are not permitted to use your personal information beyond what is necessary to assist us unless you are notified otherwise.
Business Transfers
As part of our business development, Smart Legal AI may choose to buy or sell assets. In such transactions, customer information, including personal data, is typically one of the assets transferred. If we or our assets are acquired, or if we go through bankruptcy, dissolution, or a similar restructuring, your personal information may be transferred to or acquired by a third party. In any such transfer, the acquiring entity will be subject to the same privacy commitments made in this Privacy Policy.
Protection of Smart Legal AI and Others
Smart Legal AI may disclose personal information when we reasonably believe it is necessary to comply with laws, regulations, or legal requests. We cooperate with government and law enforcement authorities and private entities to enforce and comply with the law. This includes accessing, preserving, and disclosing any information necessary to comply with a legal obligation, enforce our Terms of Use, protect the rights and safety of our users, employees, or others, or to prevent fraud and mitigate security risks.
Is Personal Information About Me Secure?
While we take reasonable measures to protect your personal information, no system can be completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute protection against unauthorized access, hardware or software failures, or other risks that may compromise your data at any time.
What Personal Information Can I Access?
Through your Smart Legal AI account settings, you may access and, in some cases, edit or delete the following information you have provided:
Name and password
Address
Email address
Location data
Intake Data
Additional user profile information
The availability of certain data for viewing, updating, or deletion may change as the services evolve. If you have any questions regarding accessing or updating your personal information, please contact us at hello@smartlegal.ai.
For California residents, under California Civil Code Sections 1798.83-1798.84, you are entitled to request information about what personal data we share with affiliates or third parties for marketing purposes. To receive this information, please send a written request to: hello@smartlegal.ai
Consent for Sensitive Data
By using Smart Legal AI services, users consent to the collection and processing of sensitive personal data, which may include legal case details, health records, or criminal background information. Smart Legal AI obtains explicit consent through the chatbot interface before any such sensitive data is collected and processed. Users may revoke consent at any time by contacting hello@smartlegal.ai. The law firm receiving the data assumes full responsibility for complying with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
Security Breach Notification
In the event of a security breach that compromises personal information, Smart Legal AI will notify affected users and law firms within 72 hours of becoming aware of the breach, as required under GDPR and CCPA. Notifications will include the nature of the breach, the data affected, and the steps taken to mitigate the risks. Users will be provided with instructions on how to protect themselves from potential harm.
Data Retention and Deletion
Smart Legal AI retains personal data collected through the chatbot for the duration necessary to fulfill the legal intake process or as required by law. Users may request the deletion of their personal data at any time by contacting hello@smartlegal.ai. Smart Legal AI will delete personal data from its systems and any associated third-party services within 30 days of receiving a deletion request, except where retention is legally required.
Data Transfer and Cross-Border Transfers
By using Smart Legal AI services, users consent to the transfer of their personal data to the United States for processing. For users located in the EU or other regions with stringent data protection laws, Smart Legal AI complies with GDPR by utilizing Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure adequate data protection for cross-border transfers.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Smart Legal AI uses cookies, tracking pixels, and web beacons to collect information about user interactions with the platform. These technologies help improve user experience and monitor platform performance. Users can manage their cookie preferences through their browser settings. For more information on how to control cookie usage, refer to our [Cookie Policy].
Children's Privacy
Smart Legal AI does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will take steps to delete it. If you believe that a child has provided personal data through our platform, please contact hello@smartlegal.ai immediately, and we will promptly take the necessary action.
Right to Object
Users have the right to object to the processing of their personal data for specific purposes, including direct marketing or profiling. To exercise this right, users should contact hello@smartlegal.ai. Smart Legal AI will cease processing personal data for the purposes objected to, except where necessary for legal claims or compliance with regulatory obligations.
What Choices Do I Have?
You can choose not to disclose certain information to Smart Legal AI, but please note that some information may be necessary for registration or to take advantage of certain features on our platform.
You may be able to add, update, or delete information as described above. However, please note that we may retain copies of the original, unrevised data in our records even after updates or deletions. You can request the deletion of your account by contacting us at hello@smartlegal.ai, but some information may still remain in our archives even after account deletion.
We may continue to use aggregated data derived from your personal information, but this will not include any information that could personally identify you.
Opting Out of Communications
Smart Legal AI may periodically send you communications that promote our services. You will have the opportunity to opt out of receiving promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions included in these messages.
We may also send you important service-related alerts, such as updates to our Terms of Service or Privacy Policy, which are mandatory and cannot be opted out of. Additionally, you may receive SMS alerts related to the services if you opt-in for such notifications. You can control these alerts via your account settings or follow the unsubscribe instructions included in any text message. Please note that standard messaging fees may apply based on your mobile plan.
If you provide your cellular phone number and consent to receive text messages or calls, you specifically authorize Smart Legal AI to communicate with you via these methods. You are not required to consent to receive such communications as a condition of using the services, and you can opt-out at any time through your account settings.
Where Is My Information Stored?
Your personal information may be transferred to and stored on servers located outside of your state, province, or country, including in jurisdictions where data privacy laws may not be as protective as those in your own. If you are located outside the United States and submit personal information, your data will be transferred to the United States for processing. Under GDPR, the United States is considered to provide adequate data protection measures.
What If I Have Questions About This Policy?
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us at hello@smartlegal.ai. We will make every effort to address your concerns and resolve any issues related to our privacy practices.