Terms & Privacy Policy

Data Handling & AI Ethics Summary

• What we collect: Full Name, contact email address, custom project specifications, portfolio/media URLs, system timestamps, and technical infrastructure logs (including IP addresses collected securely via Google Firebase hosting and database services).
• What we don't collect: Raw audio files or biometric tracking data (we only process reference links and secure form inputs).
• Why we collect it: To conduct independent verifications, process requests securely, and maintain robust platform security against spam and automated threats.
• AI & LLM Protection (2026 Standard): We strictly DO NOT sell data to third parties, engage in behavioral profiling, or use your creative submissions to train external Large Language Models (LLMs) or Generative AI architectures. Your intellectual property is protected.
• Your control: You retain full GDPR rights to request access, modification, or complete cryptographic deletion of your data at any time via support channels.

I. Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or submitting content to Aetier, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, you must refrain from using our platform.

2. About Aetier & The Certification Benchmark

Aetier is the premier independent digital evaluation and certification standard for modern creators. We provide highly rigorous, structured independent reviews and official verification for music-related content. Recognized as a trusted mark of creative excellence, our evaluations are designed to establish an authoritative quality benchmark in the independent music sector.

Aetier reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature, service, or functionality of the platform at any time without prior notice in order to uphold our strict operational standards.

3. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

When using Aetier, you agree not to engage in any of the following restricted activities:

• Submitting malicious code, automated scripts, or attempting to compromise platform security.
• Providing false information, fraudulent contact details, or misrepresenting ownership of submitted material.
• Uploading or linking material that infringes upon third-party copyrights, intellectual property rights, or violates applicable laws.
• Flooding the system with multiple spam submissions or violating restrictions.

4. Submissions, Ownership & Asset Protection

You retain 100% ownership and copyright of any music, audio, or metadata you submit. The Aetier Certification is an authoritative independent benchmark that adds professional prestige and objective verification to your portfolio.

5. Infrastructure & Technical Data Logging (Firebase)

Our backend systems and hosting architecture operate on secure cloud infrastructure provided by Google Firebase. By interacting with our forms and web applications, standard technical telemetry—such as connection timestamps, browser headers, and IP addresses—is securely processed by Firebase to ensure system integrity, prevent fraudulent traffic, and maintain operational stability.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

All platform design, branding elements, software architecture, graphics, text layouts, and source codes associated with Aetier are the exclusive property of Aetier and protected under applicable intellectual property laws. Unauthorized reproduction, scraping, or commercial exploitation is strictly prohibited.

7. Modifications to Service and Terms

Aetier may update or revise these Terms of Service periodically to reflect operational changes, AI governance laws, or regulatory updates. Continued use of the platform following any modifications constitutes your formal acceptance of the updated terms.

8. Limitation of Liability

The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Aetier, its founder, and its collaborators shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, service disruptions, or data loss arising from your use of the platform.

II. Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

In accordance with data minimization principles, we collect only the information strictly necessary to operate our evaluation workflows and maintain our high standards of security:

• Full Name and contact email address for secure communication.
• Custom project specifications or concept text where relevant.
• Reference URLs (SoundCloud, YouTube, Spotify, etc.).
• Technical metadata including submission timestamps, status logs, and IP addresses securely logged via Google Firebase hosting and database services.

2. Purpose, Lawful Basis & EU AI Act Compliance

We process your information based on contractual necessity and explicit user consent. In alignment with the European Union AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we adhere to strict data minimization. Our internal systems focus purely on secure evaluation workflows without engaging in prohibited or high-risk AI profiling.

3. Data Use Restrictions & Generative AI Opt-Out

4. Data Storage, Cloud Infrastructure & IP Security

All application data, records, and technical logs are securely managed through Google Firebase cloud architecture. IP addresses and connection logs are handled in compliance with industry standards solely for threat mitigation, database security, and traffic management.

Data may be purged periodically or immediately upon valid user request.

5. Operator Information & Monetization

Aetier operates as an independent digital evaluation initiative. The structure may evolve to incorporate commercial partnerships, digital licensing, optional premium verification services, or technology integrations to sustain development.

6. Your Rights and the Deletion Process

In alignment with standard data privacy regulations (including GDPR principles), you maintain the absolute right to request access, correction, restriction, or total cryptographic deletion of your personal data stored within our systems at any time.

7. Governing Law

These terms and any disputes arising out of or related to them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with standard legal principles applicable to top-tier digital web services.

III. Evaluation Standards & Authority

8. Independent Holistic Evaluation

Submissions are reviewed through Aetier’s proprietary and highly structured evaluation framework. We assess work holistically—balancing professional technical standards with artistic direction, originality, and overall impact.

9. Human-Led Verification Framework

Every application receives careful individual evaluation by experienced human reviewers within the Aetier team. While secure software utilities assist with routine platform operations, final decisions are determined strictly through professional human judgment.

10. The Aetier Certification Authority

The Aetier Certificate represents a highly regarded, independent industry benchmark for musical and artistic verification, ensuring artists receive a prestigious and authoritative seal of quality.

11. Integrity and Independence

Aetier maintains absolute editorial independence. We do not accept financial inducements, sponsorships, or favors to alter evaluation outcomes or bypass our standard quality criteria.

For general inquiries, contact hello@aetier.com.

For artist support, contact artists@aetier.com.

When communicating regarding an active submission, please include your Tracking ID to ensure swift data retrieval. We aim to address valid administrative inquiries within 30 days.