Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 9, 2026
info
IMPORTANT: These drafts are templates designed to align with Echo's local-first, decentralized architecture. They must be reviewed by qualified legal counsel prior to public deployment.
Echo is committed to user privacy. Unlike traditional messaging services, we do not require accounts, phone numbers, or email addresses. Your messages are encrypted in transit and stored locally on your device.
1.1. Data Collection & Processing
- Local Client Data: All chat histories, contact lists, user configurations, and cryptographic key bundles are stored strictly on your local device (using local browser storage / SQLite). We have no access to this data.
- Transient Relay Metadata: If you use our default routing relay to send messages, our servers temporarily process the following:
- Active Socket connections: While connected, your public key/wallet address is held in the server's volatile RAM to map routing rooms.
- IP Addresses: The relay server processes your IP address to establish the websocket handshake.
- No Retention: We do not write IP addresses to disk logs, nor do we associate IP addresses with cryptographic keys in any persistent database. When your socket disconnects, all routing data is immediately purged from RAM.
1.2. Third-Party Hosting
Our default relay is hosted on Render. Render may capture automatic system-level routing logs (such as IP addresses and request timestamps) for network security and DDoS mitigation. Please refer to Render's Privacy Policy for more details. You can completely bypass this third-party dependency by configuring your client to use a custom, self-hosted relay.
1.3. Your Rights (GDPR / CCPA)
Because we do not store, map, or retain any persistent personal data (such as IP addresses linked to identities), we hold no user records to search, modify, or erase. If you wish to purge your routing footprint, simply disconnect the client app from our default relay.
Terms of Service
Effective Date: July 9, 2026
Welcome to Echo (the "Software"), a local-first messaging client. By accessing or using the Software, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.
2.1. Eligibility & Age Restrictions
You must be at least 13 years old (or 16 years old in the European Economic Area) to use the Software. If you are under this age, you are not permitted to use the Software.
2.2. Use of Software & Self-Hosting
- The Client: The client application is provided as open-source software. You are free to run, modify, and distribute it.
- The Default Relay: We provide a default public routing relay for convenience. We reserve the right to limit, suspend, or terminate access to this relay at any time, for any reason, without notice.
- Custom Relays: You have the option to connect the client to third-party or self-hosted relays. We are not responsible for the data processing, uptime, or security of any custom relay servers.
2.3. Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability
- "As-Is" Provision: The Software and default relay are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.
- No Backup: We do not store your private keys, usernames, or message database. If you lose your keys or clear your browser data, your conversations and identity are permanently lost.
- Liability Cap: In no event shall the developers, contributors, or hosting sponsors of Echo be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (including loss of data, keys, or profits) arising from your use of the Software.
2.4. Copyright & DMCA Takedown Policy
Since messages are end-to-end encrypted and routed ephemerally without storage on our servers, we have no physical ability to remove copyrighted content from transit. However, to report abuse or copyright issues related to our website or open-source repositories:
- Contact our Designated Agent: support@echo.network
- Include the specific URL or repository file containing the alleged infringement.