Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 20, 2026

The Simple Version

Backchannel helps you discover meaningful professional connections. We use AI to match you with people who can help you and whom you can help. We'll never sell your data. Every connection requires your explicit approval. You're always in control.

This policy explains what we collect, why, and what rights you have. We've tried to keep it readable, but if anything is unclear, email us and we'll explain it in plain language.

Who We Are

Backchannel is operated by Tiny Mammoth Inc. ("we," "us," or "our"), located at 5900 Balcones Drive, STE 100, Austin, TX 78731.

For privacy questions, contact us at legal@tinymammoth.xyz.

For EU/EEA users: Pursuant to Article 27 of the GDPR, we have appointed DPO Europe GmbH as our EU Representative. You may contact them at: Auguste-Viktoria-Allee 20A, 13403 Berlin, Germany | info@data-privacy-office.eu. If you have unresolved concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

What Is Backchannel

Backchannel is an AI-powered professional networking service. When you interact with Backchannel, you are communicating with an AI concierge, not a human. Our AI agent facilitates introductions, surfaces opportunities, and helps you build professional relationships.

You can interact with Backchannel primarily via SMS text messaging, and in the future through other channels such as our website, mobile applications, WhatsApp, or third-party AI assistants (collectively, the "Service").

How You Join Backchannel

There are two main ways people join:

You Text Us Directly

If you hear about Backchannel and text our number, we'll ask you some questions to set up your profile. We'll ask you to verify your work email and accept these terms before you're fully active.

An Event Host Invites You

When you register for a professional event that partners with Backchannel, the event host may share your registration information (name, title, company, email, phone number) with us. The host collects your explicit, separate consent to receive SMS from Backchannel during their event registration. This is a distinct opt-in, not bundled into general registration.

We'll send you an introductory text explaining who we are and why you're hearing from us. You choose whether to continue. If you do, we'll ask you to confirm your details and accept our terms directly. If you don't respond or reply NO, we won't contact you again for that event.

You can reply STOP to any message at any time to immediately opt out.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

Information Event Hosts Provide

When an event host uploads an attendee list, they may share your name, email, phone number, company, title, and any custom fields collected during event registration. We process this data under the consent the host collected from you during registration, and under our Data Processing Agreement with the host.

Information We Obtain From Other Sources

To improve the quality of your matches, we enrich your profile using third-party data sources. This may include:

Important: Enrichment data never overwrites information you've confirmed. Your profile, as you've approved it, is always authoritative. Enrichment data is used in the background to improve match quality.

Profile enrichment uses only publicly available information, such as professional databases, news articles, published content, and public conference records, never private or purchased third-party data. We limit enrichment to data that is relevant to professional context and necessary to improve matching quality. We rely on the disproportionate effort exemption under GDPR Article 14(5)(b) for enrichment data obtained from public sources; this processing is disclosed in this privacy policy and communicated at the point of first contact.

Information We Collect Automatically

When you interact with our website or future mobile applications, we may collect:

When you interact via SMS, we collect your phone number, message content, and timestamps.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

To Provide the Service

To Improve Matching Quality

To Communicate With You

To Operate and Improve the Service

AI and Automated Processing

Backchannel is an AI-powered service. Here's what that means for your data:

Your rights regarding automated decisions: Under GDPR, you have the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing that produce significant effects on you. You may request human review of any automated decision, an explanation of the logic involved, and the ability to contest the decision. Contact us at legal@tinymammoth.xyz to exercise these rights.

If you object to automated profiling, we will accommodate your request to the extent possible. Some features of the Service, such as personalized matching, rely on automated processing and may be limited if you opt out, but your account will remain active and you can still use the Service.

How Professional Connections Work

Double-blind until mutual acceptance. No one sees your information without your consent, and you only hear about connections who've already expressed interest in connecting with you.

What We Don't Do

Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you're in the EU/EEA, we process your data on the following legal bases:

Legitimate Interests

Where we rely on legitimate interests, we ensure that our processing is proportionate and respects your rights. In particular:

We have assessed that these uses do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms. A copy of our Legitimate Interest Assessment is available upon request.

SMS Text Messaging

Backchannel communicates primarily via SMS. By using the Service, you agree to receive text messages from us. Here's what you should know:

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. We support major US carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Service Providers and Data Sharing

We share your data with the following categories of service providers, all of whom are bound by data processing agreements:

We do not sell your data. We share it only as necessary to operate the Service and as described in this policy. A current list of sub-processors is available upon request.

We may also share information if required by law, to protect our rights, or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets (in which case you'd be notified).

How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your data according to these schedules:

Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encryption in transit and at rest, secure cloud infrastructure, and access controls. No system is perfectly secure, but we take your data protection seriously.

Breach notification: If we become aware of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable law, including within 72 hours to EU supervisory authorities where required by GDPR.

Your Privacy Rights

You have control over your information. Here are your rights:

Everyone Gets These Rights

Additional Rights for EU/EEA Users (GDPR)

Additional Rights for California Users (CCPA/CPRA)

How to Exercise Your Rights

Contact us anytime at legal@tinymammoth.xyz or by mail:

Tiny Mammoth Inc.
5900 Balcones Drive, STE 100
Austin, TX 78731

We'll respond within 30 days (one month for GDPR requests). For complex requests, we may extend by up to two additional months; we'll let you know within the initial period if needed.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies. Here's what we use:

Analytics cookies are only activated with your consent where required by law. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. EU/EEA visitors will see a cookie consent banner and can decline non-essential cookies. You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.

International Data Transfers

Backchannel is based in the United States. If you are outside the US, your information will be transferred to and processed in the US.

When we transfer personal data outside the EEA, including to the United States, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission. We also assess the legal environment of recipient countries and implement additional safeguards where appropriate, such as:

While no system can eliminate all risk, we take steps designed to ensure your data receives a level of protection consistent with EU data protection law.

For transfers from other jurisdictions, we comply with applicable data transfer requirements.

Children's Privacy

Backchannel is a professional networking service and is not directed at anyone under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If we learn that we've collected data from someone under 18, we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We'll update this policy as we add features or as regulations evolve. For significant changes, we'll notify you via SMS or email before the changes take effect. Minor clarifications or formatting changes may be posted without individual notice. The "Last Updated" date at the top always shows when we last modified this policy.

Contact Us

Questions about privacy? We're here to help: legal@tinymammoth.xyz

Tiny Mammoth Inc.
5900 Balcones Drive, STE 100
Austin, TX 78731