PRIVACY POLICY

QUANTUM MELANIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
S.H.E.R.A. AI TECHNOLOGIES

Effective Date: November 2, 2025
Last Updated: November 2, 2025

PREAMBLE

This Privacy Policy explains how the Quantum Melanin Research Foundation ("QMRF," "the Foundation," "we," "us," or "our") and its operating subsidiary S.H.E.R.A. AI Technologies collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information obtained from users ("you," "your," or "User") of the S.H.E.R.A. artificial intelligence system, related websites (including but not limited to shera.ai, quantummelaninresearch.org), applications, and services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

ARTICLE I — DEFINITIONS

1.1 "Personal Information" means any information that identifies, relates to, describes, or is capable of being associated with a particular individual, including but not limited to name, email address, IP address, and usage data.

1.2 "Services" means all products, applications, websites, and systems provided by QMRF and S.H.E.R.A. AI Technologies, including but not limited to the S.H.E.R.A. conversational AI, PhysicsCore framework, Q-MEL protocols, and related research tools.

1.3 "Processing" means any operation performed on Personal Information, including collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation, retrieval, use, disclosure, or deletion.

1.4 "Third-Party Service Providers" means entities that provide services on behalf of QMRF, including but not limited to Clerk (authentication), Stripe (payment processing), and cloud infrastructure providers.

ARTICLE II — INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account registration information (name, email address, organization affiliation)
Payment and billing information (processed securely through Stripe, Inc.)
Communications with our Services (queries, prompts, feedback)
Research contributions and collaborative data

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

Device and browser information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
Usage data (interaction patterns, session duration, feature utilization)
Cookies and similar tracking technologies (with consent where required)
Performance metrics and error logs

2.3 Information from Third Parties

Authentication data from Clerk, Inc.
Transaction records from Stripe, Inc.
Publicly available research publications and citations

ARTICLE III — HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

3.1 Primary Purposes

The Foundation uses collected information to:

(a) Provide, maintain, and improve the Services
(b) Process transactions and manage subscriptions
(c) Conduct melanin and quantum biology research
(d) Develop educational resources and scientific publications
(e) Ensure security and prevent fraud
(f) Comply with legal obligations

3.2 Research and Development

Anonymized and aggregated data may be used for:

(a) Scientific research on melanin and cellular communication
(b) Machine learning model training and refinement
(c) Statistical analysis and pattern recognition
(d) Publication in peer-reviewed journals (with anonymization)

3.3 Communications

With your consent, we may use your contact information to:

(a) Send service updates and security alerts
(b) Provide research findings and educational materials
(c) Notify you of new features or capabilities
(d) Respond to inquiries and support requests

ARTICLE IV — INFORMATION SHARING AND DISCLOSURE

4.1 No Sale of Personal Information

QMRF does not and will not sell, rent, or lease Personal Information to third parties.

4.2 Authorized Disclosures

We may share information only:

(a) With Third-Party Service Providers operating under confidentiality agreements
(b) To comply with valid legal processes, court orders, or government requests
(c) To protect the rights, property, or safety of QMRF, our users, or the public
(d) In connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset transfer (with notice to users)
(e) With your explicit consent

4.3 Academic and Research Sharing

Anonymized datasets may be shared with:

(a) Academic institutions for collaborative research
(b) Peer reviewers for scientific validation
(c) Open science repositories (with appropriate de-identification)

ARTICLE V — DATA RETENTION

5.1 Personal Information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy or as required by law.

5.2 Research data is anonymized and may be retained indefinitely for scientific purposes.

5.3 Users may request deletion of their Personal Information pursuant to Article VII.

ARTICLE VI — DATA SECURITY

6.1 QMRF employs industry-standard security measures including:

(a) Encryption of data in transit (TLS 1.3 or higher)
(b) Encryption of data at rest (AES-256)
(c) Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
(d) Access controls and authentication requirements
(e) Incident response and breach notification procedures

6.2 No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

ARTICLE VII — YOUR RIGHTS AND CHOICES

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to your Personal Information and receive it in a portable format.

7.2 Correction

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete Personal Information.

7.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your Personal Information, subject to legal retention requirements.

7.4 Opt-Out

You may opt out of:

(a) Marketing communications (via unsubscribe link or account settings)
(b) Cookies and tracking (via browser settings or cookie banner)
(c) Data sharing for research purposes (via account settings)

7.5 Exercise of Rights

To exercise any rights, contact: privacy@quantummelaninresearch.org

ARTICLE VIII — CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

8.1 The Services are not directed to individuals under eighteen (18) years of age.

8.2 We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from minors. If we become aware of such collection, we will promptly delete the information.

ARTICLE IX — INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

9.1 Information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.

9.2 By using the Services, you consent to such transfers and acknowledge that data protection laws may differ from your jurisdiction.

ARTICLE X — CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS

10.1 California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

(a) Right to know categories and specific pieces of Personal Information collected
(b) Right to know purposes of collection and third parties with whom information is shared
(c) Right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights

10.2 To exercise CCPA rights, contact: privacy@quantummelaninresearch.org or call 1-888-[TBD]

ARTICLE XI — MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

11.1 THE SERVICES ARE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.

11.2 NOTHING IN THE SERVICES CONSTITUTES MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT.

11.3 ALWAYS CONSULT QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FOR MEDICAL DECISIONS.

ARTICLE XII — MODIFICATIONS TO THIS POLICY

12.1 QMRF reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time.

12.2 Material changes will be notified via email or prominent notice on the Services.

12.3 Continued use after modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

ARTICLE XIII — CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:

Quantum Melanin Research Foundation
Attn: Privacy Officer
Passaic County, New Jersey, USA
Email: privacy@quantummelaninresearch.org
Support: support@shera.ai

ARTICLE XIV — GOVERNING LAW

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Passaic County, New Jersey.

BY USING THE SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THIS PRIVACY POLICY.

Document Version: 1.0
Document ID: QMRF-PP-2025-001