Privacy Policy

Last updated: 21 June 2026

Speeks lets you drop files ("Speeks") at real-world locations to be found later through SPECS AR glasses. This policy explains what we collect, why, and your choices. By using Speeks you agree to this policy.

Who we are

Speeks ("Speeks", "we", "us") operates this website and service. If you have any questions, contact us at aidan3dbit@gmail.com.

Information we collect

Account info. Your chosen username (handle), your mobile phone number (for verification and login), and your SMS consent preference.
Content you drop. The files you upload as Speeks, their filenames, and any optional voice description and its transcript. The geographic location you choose for each Speek.
Location. The drop location you select on the map. If you use the "My location" feature, we request your device's approximate location with your permission to center the map. While the map is open, your current map view position is broadcast to other users as a moving "ship" so the map feels live — this reflects where you're looking, not necessarily where you are.
Early-adopter claim. If you enter a SPECS order ID, we store a one-way hash of it (and the raw value separately for support) to grant a cosmetic badge. It never gates access to anyone's content.
Usage & technical data. Counts and sizes of uploaded file types, seek/view tallies, a session cookie to keep you signed in, and your IP address and basic request data, which we use for security and rate-limiting (e.g. preventing abuse of the verification system).

How we use your information

To operate the service: show Speeks on the map, let you drop and seek them, and keep you signed in.
To verify your phone number and protect accounts.
To power live presence (the moving ships) and basic, aggregate analytics about the content on the platform.
To prevent fraud, spam, and abuse, and to keep the service secure.
To respond to your requests and, where you've opted in, to send you service-related texts.

What other people can see

Speeks is a shared, public map. When you drop a Speek, the following are visible to anyone using Speeks: your username, the filename, the location, basic stats, and an obscured preview ("teaser") of the content. The actual file stays sealed and is never served on the web — it only opens in person through SPECS. Please don't drop anything at a location, or with a filename, that you wouldn't want to be public.

Text messages (SMS)

We use Twilio to text you a one-time code to verify your phone number. By providing your number and consenting, you agree to receive these messages. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies. Reply STOP to opt out and HELP for help. Opting out of texts may prevent phone-based login. Verification codes are handled by Twilio's Verify service; we don't store the codes.

Service providers

We share data only as needed with the providers that run Speeks:

Twilio — phone verification (your number).
Mapbox — maps, search, and reverse geocoding (location queries).
Google Firebase (Firestore & Cloud Storage) — database and file storage.
Heroku — application hosting.

These providers process data on our behalf under their own privacy and security terms. We don't sell your personal information, and we don't serve third-party advertising.

Cookies

We use a single, essential session cookie to keep you logged in. We don't use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. Your browser may also store your preferences (like your chosen ship skin) locally on your device.

Data retention & your choices

We keep your account and content while your account is active.
You can request access to, correction of, or deletion of your data — including deleting your account and the Speeks you've dropped — by emailing aidan3dbit@gmail.com.
Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights (e.g. under GDPR or the CCPA/CPRA) to access, delete, or object to certain processing. Contact us to exercise them.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your data: content files are never exposed publicly on the web, order IDs are hashed, traffic is served over HTTPS, and sensitive admin actions are restricted. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information.

Children

Speeks isn't directed to children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we'll delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as Speeks evolves. We'll change the "last updated" date above, and significant changes will be reflected here. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised policy.

Contact

Questions, requests, or privacy concerns: aidan3dbit@gmail.com.