1. Introduction
SynthKernel, Inc. ("SynthKernel," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at synthkernel.com and provides AI-driven semiconductor yield optimization and defect detection software ("the Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information about you when you visit our website, request a product demonstration, communicate with our team, or otherwise interact with us.
By using our website or Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our website or Service.
SynthKernel is headquartered at 4200 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States. Our operations are subject to the laws of the State of California and the United States. We also observe applicable requirements under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for individuals in those jurisdictions.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide to Us
We collect information you provide directly when you interact with our website or Service:
- Contact and inquiry information: When you complete a contact form, request a product demonstration, or communicate with us via email, we collect your name, job title, company name, business email address, and the content of your inquiry.
- Account information: If you create an account on our platform, we collect your name, work email address, company name, and the credentials you create.
- Billing and payment information: For customers who subscribe to a paid plan, we collect billing contact information. Payment card data is processed directly by our payment processor (Stripe, Inc.) and is not stored on our systems.
- Communication records: We retain records of emails and other written communications you send to us.
- Feedback and survey responses: If you respond to surveys or provide product feedback, we retain your responses and any identifying information you include.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit synthkernel.com, certain information is automatically collected by our web infrastructure and analytics tools:
- Log data: Our servers automatically record information including your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, time and date of visit, and time spent on each page.
- Device information: We collect information about the device you use to access our website, including device type, operating system version, and screen resolution.
- Cookie and tracking data: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior on our website. See Section 7 for details and our separate Cookie Policy at legal/cookies.html.
- Analytics data: We use Google Analytics 4 to analyze website traffic patterns, page performance, and visitor behavior. Google Analytics may collect and process data as described in Google's privacy documentation.
2.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third-party sources:
- Business databases: We may supplement contact information with data from professional databases (such as LinkedIn, Dun & Bradstreet, or ZoomInfo) to understand the business context of inquiries.
- Referral partners: If a partner or reseller refers you to SynthKernel, they may provide us with your contact information and business context.
2.4 Platform Data — On-Premise Deployments
SynthKernel's yield optimization software is deployed entirely on-premise within customer facilities. We do not collect, receive, process, or have access to any wafer images, defect maps, die maps, inspection data, process parameters, equipment data, or any other manufacturing or intellectual property data from customer fabrication facilities. All model inference, analysis, and data processing occurs on hardware located within the customer's own facility network. This is a foundational architectural decision, not merely a contractual provision.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Responding to inquiries and requests: Processing demonstration requests, answering technical questions, and following up on sales inquiries.
- Providing and improving the Service: Managing customer accounts, delivering technical support, improving software functionality, and developing new features based on customer feedback.
- Communications: Sending product updates, technical documentation, service announcements, and (with your consent) marketing communications about SynthKernel products and industry content.
- Analytics and website optimization: Understanding how visitors use our website, identifying popular content, and optimizing page performance and user experience.
- Legal compliance and safety: Complying with applicable laws and regulations, responding to legal requests, protecting our legal rights, and preventing fraud or misuse.
- Business operations: Internal reporting, financial accounting, and operational planning.
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For individuals in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we process personal data on the following legal bases:
- Contractual necessity: Processing necessary to provide the Service to customers who have contracted with us, including account management and technical support.
- Legitimate interests: Processing for our legitimate business interests, including responding to inquiries, improving our products, and conducting analytics — provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.
- Consent: Where we rely on your consent, such as for marketing emails or certain cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Legal obligation: Processing required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal proceedings.
5. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell personal information. We share information in limited circumstances:
- Service providers: We share information with third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website and delivering the Service, including: Stripe (payment processing), Google Analytics (web analytics), AWS (cloud infrastructure for the marketing website), HubSpot (CRM and marketing communications), and Zendesk (customer support). These providers are contractually bound to process data only as directed and to maintain appropriate security standards.
- Professional advisors: We may share information with attorneys, accountants, and other professional advisors under obligations of confidentiality.
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the legal rights, property, or safety of SynthKernel, our customers, or the public.
- Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of the business transaction. We will notify you before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected:
- Website inquiry and contact data: 3 years from the date of last contact, unless a longer period is required to support an ongoing business relationship.
- Customer account data: For the duration of the customer relationship plus 7 years for billing and financial records.
- Marketing communication records: Until you opt out or withdraw consent, or 3 years after the last interaction, whichever occurs first.
- Website analytics data: As configured in Google Analytics (default data retention is 14 months for individual user data).
- Legal and compliance records: As required by applicable law, typically 7 years.
When we no longer have a business or legal need to retain information, we delete or anonymize it in a manner designed to prevent reconstruction of the personal information.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies on synthkernel.com. For detailed information about the specific cookies we use, their purposes, and how to manage your cookie preferences, please review our Cookie Policy at legal/cookies.html.
In summary, we use: essential cookies required for website functionality; analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors use the website (Google Analytics); and preference cookies that remember your site settings. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies that profile visitors across third-party websites.
8. Your Privacy Rights
8.1 Rights Under GDPR (EEA/UK Residents)
If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right of access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data where we have no legitimate basis to retain it.
- Right to restrict processing: Request that we limit how we use your data in certain circumstances.
- Right to data portability: Request a machine-readable copy of data you provided to us.
- Right to object: Object to our processing of your data for direct marketing or based on legitimate interests.
- Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw any consent you have given us at any time without affecting prior processing.
8.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)
California residents have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
- Right to know: Request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected, used, disclosed, or sold about you.
- Right to delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions.
- Right to opt-out of sale: SynthKernel does not sell personal information. This right is not applicable to our practices.
- Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
8.3 How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at contact@synthkernel.com or by mail to SynthKernel, Inc., 4200 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025. We will respond to requests within 30 days. We may need to verify your identity before processing requests, which may require providing additional identifying information.
9. Data Security
We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These measures include: encrypted data transmission (TLS 1.2 and above), access controls limiting data access to employees who need it for their job functions, regular security assessments, and vendor security requirements for third-party service providers who process data on our behalf.
No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach affecting your information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
10. International Data Transfers
SynthKernel's marketing website infrastructure is hosted on Amazon Web Services in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, your personal data will be transferred to and processed in the United States, which may not provide the same level of data protection as your home country.
For transfers from the EEA or UK to the US, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission as a transfer mechanism. You may request a copy of our SCCs by contacting us at the address below.
11. Children's Privacy
Our website and Service are directed at business professionals and are not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
12. Links to Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including industry publications, equipment vendor sites, and standards organizations. SynthKernel is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, applicable law, or the nature of our Service. We will indicate the date of the most recent update at the top of this page. For material changes, we will provide more prominent notice (for example, by email to affected users or a prominent banner on our website). Your continued use of our website after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or have concerns about our data practices, please contact us:
- Email: contact@synthkernel.com
- Mail: SynthKernel, Inc., 4200 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States
- Phone: +1 (650) 328-9471
For data protection inquiries from EEA residents, you also have the right to file a complaint with your local supervisory authority. A list of EEA supervisory authorities is available at edpb.europa.eu.
