Effective Date: July 19, 2025
Kokoro Research ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and integrity of all individuals who interact with our products, services, and research initiatives. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal information, and what rights you have over your data.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information:
Personal Identifiers: such as your name, email address, and contact information (only when voluntarily submitted).
Interview Content: recorded conversations, responses, and associated media during participation in our projects (e.g., The Interview, My Kokoro App).
Emotional and Narrative Data: including reflections on values, decisions, and inner experiences, submitted via prompts or dialogue.
Usage Data: information about how you use our website or app (e.g., device type, browser, session duration).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
Produce personalized documentary content and provide related services.
Anonymize and structure data for use in research across psychology, AI, and behavioral science.
Improve our products and develop new services and technologies.
Communicate with you regarding updates, consent, or participation opportunities.
3. Data Anonymization & Research Use
Unless otherwise explicitly agreed upon, all sensitive data (especially emotional or narrative data) is:
Anonymized: Personally identifiable information is removed or altered.
Structured: Information is converted into tagged, research-ready formats.
Used with Consent: Only data you have opted to share is included in research or archives.
You may withdraw your consent at any time, and we will cease using your data in any future projects.
4. Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent your personal data. We may share anonymized data in the following cases:
With research collaborators (e.g., universities, think tanks) under strict data use agreements.
With service providers who support our infrastructure (e.g., video editing platforms, secure cloud hosting).
If legally required (e.g., compliance with court orders or applicable law).
5. Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary for the purposes stated above or as required by law. When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymized for archival purposes.
6. Security Measures
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, or disclosure. However, no system can be 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
Access the data we hold about you.
Request correction or deletion of your data.
Withdraw your consent at any time.
Request a copy of your personal data in a portable format.
Please contact us at [insert email] to make any of these requests.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13 (or higher, based on local jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children without parental consent.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. We will notify users of significant changes via email or on our website. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the new terms.
10. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or data requests, please contact:
Kokoro Research
Email: kijimaryuzo@gmail.com