Echo Terms of Service
Effective Date: May 23, 2026
Please read these Terms of Service ("Terms") carefully before using the Echo Platform. By registering for an account, accessing or using the Echo Platform, or submitting any content, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.
Welcome to the Echo Platform (the "Platform"), a professional intelligence service operated by Echo ("Echo," "we," "us," or "our") and accessible at https://www.echocore.net. The Platform allows users to create, share, and unlock professional intel about people and organizations, and to participate in a workplace community forum.
These Terms apply to all visitors and users of the Platform, including Guest Users, Users, Verified Users, and any person whose professional information appears on the Platform.
Table of Contents
1. Definitions
2. Eligibility and Account Registration
3. Users, Profiles, and Verification
4. Content Standards and Prohibited Conduct
8. Anonymity and Author Identity
9. Dispute Resolution and Content Removal
13. Disclaimers
15. Indemnification
16. Platform Immunity (Section 230 CDA)
18. DMCA / Copyright Takedown Policy
20. Modifications to These Terms
21. Account Termination and Suspension
22. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
23. Miscellaneous
1. Definitions
As used throughout these Terms, the following definitions apply:
"Echo Platform" or "Platform": The website located at https://www.echocore.net, all associated web pages, features, applications, APIs, and services operated by Echo.
"Guest User": Any individual who accesses or uses the Platform without signing in to an account.
"User": An individual who has created an account on the Platform via email/password or an authorized OAuth provider and completed any required email verification.
"Verified User": A User who has successfully completed one of Echo's identity verification methods (work email, LinkedIn, or admin manual review) to confirm their professional identity. Verified status is optional and is not required to create an account, create Echo Intel snippets, or use other core Platform features.
"Person" or "Profile": A professional record in the Echo database representing a real individual. Person profiles are maintained independently of User accounts; a Person profile is not owned or controlled by any User, including the individual the profile describes.
"Echo" (intel snippet) or "Echo Intel": A piece of professional intelligence created by a User about a person or organization, consisting of a visible preview and a lockable body. Context will make clear whether "Echo" refers to the operator, the Platform, or an individual intel snippet; this definition applies when "Echo" is used in the lowercase or qualified sense (e.g., "an echo," "their echo").
"Echo Author": The User who creates an Echo Intel snippet.
"Echo Subject": The person or organization that an Echo Intel snippet concerns.
"Content Body": The full text of an Echo Intel snippet, which may be locked by the Echo Author and made accessible only through the Unlock Mechanism described in Section 7.
"Karma" or "Karma Credits": An internal, non-monetary credit balance associated with each User. Karma is used to unlock Echo Intel snippets and is earned through Platform activity. Karma has no cash value and cannot be exchanged for money or other compensation.
"Unlock Request": A formal request submitted by a User asking an Echo Author for access to a locked Content Body.
"Unlock Rule": The policy set by an Echo Author governing how Unlock Requests for their Echo Intel snippet are handled. Current Unlock Rules are described in Section 7.
"Trust Circle": A set of professional connections between Users whose organization or school affiliation has been confirmed on the Platform. Trust Circle membership may affect the Unlock Rule applied to a given Unlock Request.
"Content": Any text, intel snippets, messages, files, images, links, forum posts, Opinion topics, Opinions, reputation flags (positive and negative), bookmarks, or other materials submitted, posted, uploaded, or otherwise transmitted by a User through the Platform.
"Opinion": A vote cast by a User on a poll-style topic posted on a Person profile. Each topic is a question or statement about the individual the Person profile describes, and Users may register their position by casting an Opinion. Opinions are non-binding User-generated signals and do not constitute factual findings.
"Demonstrative Data": Fictional, simulated, or illustrative content provided by Echo for demonstration purposes (which may include sample profiles, organizations, intel snippets, forum posts, messages, or other information) displayed on the Platform during a Promotional Period. Demonstrative Data is not based on any real-world individual, organization, or event, and any resemblance to actual persons (living or deceased), organizations, or events is coincidental.
"Promotional Period": A period during which Echo operates the Platform in a promotional, introductory, preview, or similar capacity, during which the Platform may display Demonstrative Data in addition to or in lieu of certain live data.
2. Eligibility and Account Registration
2.1 Age and Legal Capacity
You must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract in your jurisdiction to register for or use the Platform. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements. Echo does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18. If you become aware that a minor has created an account, please contact us immediately at the address in Section 24.
2.2 Account Creation
You may create an account using a personal email address and password, or by signing in via an authorized OAuth provider (currently Google). You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete registration information;
- Maintain the accuracy of your account information and update it promptly when it changes;
- Keep your password and credentials confidential and not share them with any third party;
- Notify Echo immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any security breach;
- Be solely responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
Echo reserves the right to reject or cancel any account registration at its sole discretion.
2.3 One Account Per Person
You may maintain only one active Echo account. Creating duplicate accounts is prohibited and may result in termination of all associated accounts. You may not transfer your account to another person or entity without Echo's prior written consent.
2.4 Business and Organizational Use
Echo is designed for use by individual professionals. Use of the Platform on behalf of an organization, as an agent, or in any automated manner (including bots, scrapers, or bulk content submissions) requires Echo's prior written authorization. Employers and organizations may not use Echo to solicit, coordinate, or incentivize employee submissions of any kind.
3. Users, Profiles, and Verification
3.1 Person Profiles
Person profiles are professional records maintained by Echo. Profiles may be created through Platform activity, data enrichment integrations, or User submissions. A Person profile displays professional information about the individual it describes along with any Echo Intel submitted about that person. Person profiles exist independently of, and are not linked to, User accounts. No User — including the individual a profile describes — owns, controls, or directly manages a Person profile. The sole mechanism by which the individual a profile describes may seek changes to that profile or to Echo Intel about it is the dispute process described in Section 9.1.
3.2 Optional Identity Verification
Any User may optionally verify their identity to obtain Verified User status. Verification is not required to create an account, create Echo Intel snippets, set Unlock Rules, or use any other core Platform feature. Echo offers the following verification methods:
- Work Email Verification: You provide an organization email address whose domain matches your current employer's domain. Echo will send a one-time passcode (OTP) to that address for verification.
- LinkedIn Verification: You authorize Echo to retrieve your basic LinkedIn profile (name and email only) via LinkedIn OAuth. Echo will compare the name on your LinkedIn account to the name on your User account. A match constitutes verification.
- Admin Manual Review: You submit documentary evidence of your identity and employment, such as a pay stub, offer letter, employment letter, tax document, or company directory listing, along with reference webpage links. An Echo administrator will review your submission and approve or reject the verification request.
By submitting documents for Admin Manual Review, you represent and warrant that those documents are authentic, unaltered, and accurately reflect your identity and employment. Submitting fraudulent documentation is grounds for immediate account termination and may expose you to legal liability.
Echo reserves the right to reject any verification request at its sole discretion and without obligation to provide a reason. Echo may also revoke Verified User status at any time, including upon expiration or invalidation of the underlying credential (for example, when a work email is no longer valid).
3.3 User Privileges and Responsibilities
As a User, you may: (i) create Echo Intel snippets about people and organizations with whom you have relevant professional experience; (ii) set Unlock Rules and Karma pricing for the Echo Intel you author; (iii) participate in the In Echo community forum; (iv) post Opinion topics on Person profiles, cast Opinions on Opinion topics posted by other Users, and submit reputation flags on Person profiles; and (v) use other Platform features as enabled by Echo from time to time.
Each User selects a handle and may upload an optional avatar and bio used for display in forum posts, Opinion topics, and other public interactions on the Platform. You may not use a handle, avatar, or bio that impersonates another person, infringes trademarks, or is offensive, vulgar, or deceptive. Your real identity may be associated with your account on the backend for moderation, abuse prevention, and legal-compliance purposes, even where your handle and avatar are pseudonymous in the user interface.
Verified Users additionally receive a visible verification indicator and may be eligible for expedited or automatic approval under certain Unlock Rules. Verification does not grant ownership of, or control over, any Person profile in Echo's database, nor does it create any agency, employment, or representational relationship between you and any Person profile.
4. Content Standards and Prohibited Conduct
4.1 Accuracy and Good Faith Requirement
By submitting any Content on the Platform, you represent, warrant, and affirm that:
- The Content reflects your genuine, first-hand professional experience or knowledge of the subject;
- All factual statements in the Content are true and accurate to the best of your knowledge;
- Your submission is made in good faith, not for purposes of retaliation, harassment, competitive harm, or other improper motive;
- You are not submitting content on behalf of, at the direction of, or in coordination with any employer, organization, or third party for improper purposes.
4.2 Prohibited Content
You agree that you will not post, submit, upload, share, or transmit Content that:
- Is false, misleading, fabricated, or does not reflect your honest personal knowledge or experience;
- Is defamatory, libelous, or constitutes an unprivileged false statement of fact about any person;
- Harasses, intimidates, threatens, or targets any individual;
- Contains hate speech, discriminatory language, or content that disparages a person based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic;
- Discloses the confidential information, trade secrets, proprietary business information, or non-public personal data of any employer, organization, or individual;
- Constitutes doxxing — i.e., publishing private or personally identifying information about another person (including home address, personal phone number, personal email, or financial information) without their consent;
- Violates any non-disclosure agreement, confidentiality obligation, or other legally enforceable duty you owe to any employer or third party;
- Infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other intellectual property right of any person;
- Contains sexually explicit or pornographic material;
- Promotes, glorifies, or facilitates violence, self-harm, or illegal activity;
- Contains spam, unsolicited commercial messages, pyramid schemes, or any form of deceptive solicitation;
- Involves impersonation of any person or entity, or misrepresentation of your affiliation with any person or entity;
- Contains viruses, malware, or other harmful code;
- Is submitted in exchange for monetary compensation, gifts, employment benefits, or any other form of consideration;
- Violates any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation.
4.3 Echo Intel-Specific Requirements
By submitting an Echo Intel snippet, you represent, warrant, and guarantee that:
- The Echo Intel is based on your direct, personal professional knowledge of the Echo Subject — not rumor, hearsay, or speculation;
- The Echo Intel does not target yourself or any associate for manipulation, reputation laundering, or self-promotion (self-targeting Echo Intel is prohibited);
- Your submission complies with Echo's rate limits and any other Echo Intel submission policies published by Echo from time to time.
4.4 Forum Conduct
Participation in the In Echo community forum is subject to all Content Standards above, and additionally requires that:
- Posts are professionally relevant and constructive in nature;
- You do not use forum posts to identify, speculate about, or attempt to unmask the pseudonymous author of any Echo Intel;
- You do not use the Platform to coordinate campaigns, brigades, or organized content submission efforts against any individual.
4.5 Reputation Flags
The Platform provides a flagging mechanism (positive and negative flags) that allows Users to signal reputational information about other persons. Flags are non-binding User signals and do not constitute factual findings. You agree not to use the flagging system in bad faith, for harassment purposes, or to coordinate organized flagging campaigns.
4.6 Opinion Topics and Opinions
The Platform allows Users to post Opinion topics on Person profiles and to cast Opinions on Opinion topics posted by other Users. An Opinion topic is a User-generated question or statement about the individual the Person profile describes. An Opinion is a User's vote on such a topic. Opinion topics and Opinions are non-binding User-generated content, are not factual findings, and do not constitute an endorsement by Echo.
By posting an Opinion topic, you represent, warrant, and guarantee that the topic complies with the Content Standards in this Section 4. In particular, an Opinion topic must not: (i) state or imply a false statement of fact about the Echo Subject; (ii) harass, intimidate, defame, or doxx the Echo Subject; (iii) target the Echo Subject based on race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic; or (iv) disclose confidential information about any employer or third party.
You agree not to manipulate the Opinion system, including by creating multiple accounts to inflate or suppress Opinion counts on a topic, coordinating brigading or organized voting campaigns, trading Opinions in exchange for any consideration, or using automation to post topics or cast Opinions. Manipulation is a material breach of these Terms and grounds for account action up to and including termination.
4.7 Content Moderation
Echo reserves the right, but not the obligation, to review, monitor, moderate, edit, refuse to post, or remove any Content at any time and for any reason, including Content that violates these Terms or that Echo, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate. Echo does not pre-screen all Content. The presence of any Content on the Platform does not constitute Echo's endorsement of that Content.
Echo is not a finder of fact. Determinations about disputed Content are administrative and do not constitute legal rulings on the truth or falsity of any statement. Echo may defer to a court of competent jurisdiction where a court order addresses specific Content.
5. Echoes — Intel Snippets
5.1 Nature of Echo Intel
Echo Intel snippets are short-form professional insights created by Users about people or organizations. Each Echo Intel snippet consists of a publicly visible preview and a Content Body that may be locked by the Echo Author. Unlocking the Content Body requires Karma Credits, as described in Sections 6 and 7.
5.2 Author Controls
Echo Authors may configure the following for each Echo Intel snippet they create:
- Content locking: Authors may lock the Content Body, making it accessible only to Users who complete the unlock process.
- Karma pricing: Authors set the Karma cost to unlock their Content Body, within the minimum and maximum limits set by Echo from time to time (currently 1–1,000 Karma; default: 5 Karma).
- Unlock Rule: Authors select the policy governing how Unlock Requests are processed (see Section 7).
5.3 Editing and Deletion
Echo Authors may edit or delete their own Echo Intel snippets at any time. Deletion of an Echo Intel snippet removes it from public display. Echo may retain records of deleted Content for a limited period as required for legal compliance, abuse prevention, and dispute resolution purposes. Users who have previously unlocked a Content Body may lose access upon deletion.
5.4 No Guarantee of Availability
Echo does not guarantee that any Echo Intel snippet, including content for which you have paid Karma, will remain accessible indefinitely. Echo Authors may delete their content at any time, and Echo may remove content for policy, legal, or operational reasons. Echo does not refund Karma expended to unlock content that is subsequently removed.
6. The Karma Credit System
6.1 Purpose
Karma Credits are Echo's internal credit economy, designed to incentivize the creation of high-quality professional intel and to facilitate access to locked Echo Intel snippets. Karma Credits are not a monetary or financial asset of any kind.
6.2 Earning Karma
Users may earn Karma Credits through the following means:
- Initial grant: New Users receive a one-time initial Karma grant upon account creation (currently 20 Karma).
- Creating Echo Intel: Authors receive a Karma reward each time they publish an Echo Intel snippet (currently 20 Karma per echo created).
- Receiving unlock payments: When another User pays Karma to unlock your Echo Intel snippet, the paid Karma is transferred to your balance.
Echo reserves the right to modify the amounts and methods by which Karma is earned at any time.
6.3 Spending Karma
Karma Credits are spent when a User completes the unlock of a locked Echo Intel snippet. The Karma cost is set by the Echo Author and is displayed to the User prior to completing the unlock. Upon a successful unlock, the Karma amount is deducted from the requester's balance and added to the Echo Author's balance.
6.4 No Monetary Value
Karma Credits have no monetary value, cannot be exchanged for money or other compensation, cannot be transferred, sold, or gifted to other Users, and will not be returned or compensated upon account termination. Karma balances are non-negative; Users may not carry a negative Karma balance. Echo reserves the right to modify, reset, or discontinue the Karma Credit system at any time without liability.
6.5 No Expiry
Karma Credits do not expire. Accumulated Karma persists in your account indefinitely unless Echo modifies or discontinues the Karma system pursuant to Section 6.4.
6.6 Manipulation Prohibited
Any attempt to manipulate the Karma Credit system — including creating multiple accounts to circumvent spending limits or accumulate initial grants, coordinating with others to artificially transfer Karma, or any other artificial inflation of Karma balances — is a material breach of these Terms and grounds for immediate account termination.
7. Echo Unlock Mechanisms
7.1 Overview
When an Echo Author has locked their Content Body, other Users may request access through the Unlock Mechanism. The process involves two stages: (i) an Approval Stage (which may be automatic or require manual approval by the Echo Author, depending on the Unlock Rule applied), and (ii) a Karma Payment Stage (in which the requester pays the designated Karma amount to complete the unlock).
7.2 Unlock Rules
Echo Authors may configure one of the following Unlock Rules for each Echo Intel snippet. Echo may add, modify, or deprecate Unlock Rules from time to time.
- Unlockable by all: The Content Body is automatically approved for any requesting User who can pay the Karma cost. No manual approval is required.
- Unlockable by organization: Users with a verified matching organizational affiliation are automatically approved. All other Users must submit an Unlock Request for manual approval by the Echo Author.
- Unlockable by trusted: Users in the Echo Author's Trust Circle are automatically approved. All other Users must submit an Unlock Request for manual approval by the Echo Author.
- Manual approval: All Users must submit an Unlock Request. The Echo Author reviews and approves or declines each request individually.
7.3 Unlock Request Process
To request access to a locked Content Body, a User submits an Unlock Request specifying an optional purpose and message to the Echo Author. Unlock Requests may be set to one of the following purposes: hiring, partnership, due diligence, or research. Providing false or misleading purpose information in an Unlock Request violates these Terms.
7.4 Approval and Declination
Echo Authors may approve or decline any Unlock Request at their sole discretion. Echo does not guarantee that any Unlock Request will be approved. Decline decisions are not subject to appeal through the Platform.
7.5 Completing the Unlock
Once an Unlock Request is approved (or if the applicable Unlock Rule results in automatic approval), the requester must pay the designated Karma amount to complete the unlock. Upon payment, the Content Body is made accessible to the requester and the Karma is transferred to the Echo Author's balance. Completing an unlock does not grant ownership of the Content Body or any intellectual property rights therein.
7.6 No Refunds
Karma expended to complete an unlock is non-refundable. If a Content Body is subsequently deleted, edited, or removed for any reason, Echo is not obligated to restore the Karma that was spent.
8. Anonymity and Author Identity
8.1 Author Identity Display
Echo Intel snippets are attributed in the manner selected by Echo's display policies, which may include pseudonymous attribution using the Echo Author's chosen handle and avatar in place of their real name. Echo does not guarantee that Echo Author identities will be kept permanently anonymous, and display policies may change.
8.2 Internal Identity Records
Echo Author identity is stored internally in Echo's systems for the following limited purposes: (i) to allow Echo Authors to edit or delete their own content; (ii) to enable the reach-out messaging feature, by which a recipient of an Unlock Request may communicate with a requester; (iii) to verify that users are not submitting content about themselves for manipulation purposes; and (iv) for moderation, abuse prevention, and legal compliance purposes. This internal record is not shared with other users except as described in these Terms.
8.3 Limits of Anonymity
Echo cannot and does not guarantee absolute anonymity. You acknowledge and accept that:
- Depending on the content of an Echo Intel snippet, including specific details about the subject, the timeframe, or the organizational context, other parties may be able to narrow the universe of possible Echo Authors;
- Echo may be required by law or court order to disclose Echo Author identity in connection with valid legal process, including subpoenas, court orders, or law enforcement requests;
- Echo will take reasonable steps to resist invalid or overbroad legal demands for user identity, but cannot guarantee that it will be able to protect your identity in all circumstances.
By submitting Echo Intel, you acknowledge these limitations and assume the associated risks. You are strongly encouraged to ensure that all Content you submit is truthful, accurate, and compliant with these Terms.
8.4 Identity Disclosure Upon Legal Process
In the event Echo receives a legally valid subpoena, court order, or other government or legal demand for Echo Author identity, Echo will: (i) promptly notify the Echo Author at the email address on file, to the extent permitted by law; (ii) take reasonable legal steps to object to or limit overbroad demands; and (iii) disclose only the minimum information required by the applicable legal process. Echo's ability to protect Echo Author identity is not guaranteed and is subject to the jurisdiction and ruling of competent courts.
9. Dispute Resolution and Content Removal
9.1 Profile Subject Disputes
The natural person who is the real-world subject of a Person profile (i.e., the actual individual whom the profile describes) may submit a formal content dispute through the Platform regarding Echo Intel about that profile, regardless of whether they hold a User account. To submit a dispute, the disputing party must provide a specific, written reason explaining why the Echo Intel violates these Terms. Grounds for a valid dispute include, but are not limited to: factual inaccuracy, prohibited content as described in Section 4.2, harassment, or doxxing.
Because Person profiles are not linked to User accounts, Echo may require reasonable proof that the disputing party is the actual subject of the Person profile before accepting or acting on a dispute. Acceptable proof may include government-issued identification, work email confirmation, LinkedIn verification, or other documentation Echo deems sufficient. Submitting false or fraudulent proof of identity for purposes of a dispute is a material breach of these Terms.
A dispute submission is not, by itself, grounds for removal. Echo will review disputes in good faith and in its sole administrative discretion. Echo is not a finder of fact and does not adjudicate the truth or falsity of specific factual claims in Echo Intel.
9.2 Dispute Outcomes
Following review, a dispute may be: (i) resolved — the Echo Intel is removed from the Platform; (ii) rejected — the Echo Intel remains on the Platform; or (iii) left pending for additional review. Echo will notify the disputing party of the outcome through the Platform notification system or by other reasonable means. There is currently no formal appellate process; Echo may revisit decisions at its discretion.
9.3 General Content Reports
Any User or Guest User may report Content that they believe violates these Terms. Echo provides a reporting mechanism for this purpose. Echo reviews reports in its discretion and is not obligated to remove any Content solely based on a report. Echo will not disclose the identity of a reporting party to the subject of a report.
9.4 Voluntary Removal by Author
An Echo Author may edit or delete their own Echo Intel at any time through their account. Deletion removes the Echo Intel from public display. Echo may retain records of deleted Content for a limited period as required for legal compliance, abuse prevention, and dispute resolution purposes.
9.5 No Commitment to Content Availability
Echo does not guarantee that any Content will be maintained or remain accessible. Echo may remove, archive, or restrict access to any Content at any time and for any reason without notice or liability.
10. Intellectual Property
10.1 Echo's Intellectual Property
The Echo Platform, including its design, architecture, codebase, branding, trademarks, service marks, logos, user interface elements, and all proprietary features (including the Karma Credit system, the Echo Intel framework, the Unlock Mechanism, and the Trust Circle affiliation model) are owned by or licensed to Echo and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes, subject to these Terms.
10.2 Your Content — License Grant
By submitting Content to Echo, you grant Echo a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, display, modify, and prepare derivative works of your Content solely for purposes of: (i) operating and improving the Platform; (ii) providing the Platform's features and functionality; (iii) enforcing these Terms; (iv) complying with legal obligations; and (v) creating anonymized, aggregated statistical analyses. This license does not grant Echo the right to sell your Content to third parties for independent commercial purposes unrelated to the Platform.
10.3 Your Content — Representations
You represent and warrant that: (i) you own all rights in your Content or have obtained all necessary licenses, consents, and permissions to grant the license above; (ii) your Content does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party; and (iii) you have the right to upload any profile photos, logos, or documents you submit.
10.4 Third-Party Content and Logos
Company logos and organizational imagery displayed on the Platform may be retrieved from third-party logo services (currently Brandfetch and Clearbit). Echo does not claim ownership of third-party trademarks or logos. If you are a trademark or brand owner and believe your intellectual property is being used improperly, please contact us using the information in Section 24.
10.5 Feedback
If you submit suggestions, ideas, or feedback about Echo to us, you agree that Echo may use such feedback without restriction, compensation, or obligation to you.
11. Privacy and Data Handling
11.1 Privacy Policy
Echo's collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your personal information are governed by our Privacy Policy, available at https://www.echocore.net/privacy. The Privacy Policy is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in the Privacy Policy.
11.2 Data Collected
Echo collects the following categories of data in connection with platform use:
- Account data: email address, hashed password, OAuth identifiers;
- Profile data: first name, last name, photo, bio, organization email, LinkedIn identifier (where provided for verification), LinkedIn URL;
- Employment and affiliation data: organization name, domain, job title, company IDs, school IDs, and work history as provided;
- Intel and content data: Echo Intel snippets (including locked Content Bodies), forum posts, Opinion topics, Opinions, reputation flags, bookmarks;
- Unlock data: Unlock Request details (purpose, message, timestamps, status), Karma balances, unlock records;
- Verification data: work email verification timestamps, OTP hashes, LinkedIn verification state, admin review documents and attachments;
- Social data: follows, connection relationships, Trust Circle memberships, chat messages, read receipts;
- Technical data: IP addresses and request metadata as may be logged by Echo's infrastructure providers (Supabase, Vercel).
11.3 Third-Party Data Processors and Providers
Echo uses third-party services to operate the Platform. The services Echo currently relies on fall into two categories:
Processors of User personal data. The following services process personal data that Users submit or generate on the Platform, on Echo's behalf:
- Supabase — database and authentication infrastructure;
- Vercel — application hosting and request handling;
- Resend — transactional email delivery;
- Google — OAuth authentication for sign-in, and (where Echo features generate prompts based on User-submitted Content) Google Gemini AI services;
- LinkedIn — identity verification for Users who choose LinkedIn Verification;
- PeopleDataLabs — professional data enrichment for Person profiles, which may include records about individuals who hold User accounts.
Providers of public business information. Echo also relies on third-party providers that return public business information about organizations based on public identifiers (such as a company domain URL) supplied by Echo's auto-build features. These providers do not receive Users' personal data submitted to the Platform:
- Brandfetch — company logos and brand assets;
- Clearbit — company logos and basic firmographic data.
By using the Platform, you acknowledge that data may be transmitted to and processed by the services described above, subject to their respective privacy policies. Echo takes reasonable steps to ensure that data shared with third parties is limited to what is necessary for the relevant function. Echo may add, replace, or remove third-party services from time to time and will update this Section accordingly.
11.4 Data Subject Rights
To the extent required by applicable law (including, without limitation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)), you may have rights to access, correct, delete, restrict processing of, or receive a portable copy of your personal data. You may also have the right to object to certain processing activities. To exercise any applicable data rights, please contact us using the information in Section 24. Echo will respond to valid requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.
11.5 Account Deletion and Data Retention
You may request deletion of your account at any time. Upon deletion, Echo will remove or anonymize your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Deletion of your account results in the cascade deletion of associated records including profile data, Karma balances, and certain content records. However, certain data may be retained where required by legal obligation, dispute preservation requirements, or for the integrity of content that other users have interacted with. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further details.
12. Third-Party Services
The Platform incorporates, links to, or relies upon third-party services including but not limited to: Google (OAuth authentication and Google Gemini AI), LinkedIn (identity verification), PeopleDataLabs (professional data enrichment), Supabase (database and authentication infrastructure), Resend (email delivery), Brandfetch and Clearbit (company logos and brand assets), and Vercel (cloud hosting).
Your use of any third-party service through the Platform is subject to the applicable third party's terms of service and privacy policy. Echo does not endorse, warrant, or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party service. Echo is not responsible for the availability of third-party services, and any disruption to a third-party service may affect the availability of certain Platform features.
Your authorization of LinkedIn OAuth during identity verification grants Echo access only to your basic LinkedIn profile (name and email) for the limited purpose of confirming your identity. Echo will not use LinkedIn OAuth for any purpose beyond identity verification, nor will Echo store your LinkedIn access tokens beyond what is necessary for verification.
13. Disclaimers
13.1 No Warranty
THE ECHO PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ECHO DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.
13.2 User Content Disclaimer
ECHO DOES NOT ENDORSE, VERIFY, OR GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TRUTHFULNESS, RELIABILITY, OR LAWFULNESS OF ANY USER-SUBMITTED CONTENT, INCLUDING ECHO INTEL SNIPPETS, FORUM POSTS, OPINION TOPICS, OPINIONS, OR REPUTATION FLAGS. ECHO INTEL AND OTHER USER-SUBMITTED CONTENT REFLECT THE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OR PERSPECTIVE OF THE SUBMITTING USER AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF ECHO. ECHO MAKES NO REPRESENTATION THAT ANY CONTENT IS SUITABLE FOR USE IN EMPLOYMENT, HIRING, INVESTMENT, OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DECISIONS.
13.3 No Professional Advice
NOTHING ON THE ECHO PLATFORM CONSTITUTES LEGAL, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, PROFESSIONAL, OR BUSINESS ADVICE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ECHO CONTENT FOR EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, INVESTMENT DECISIONS, OR ANY OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL PURPOSES.
13.4 Service Availability
ECHO DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. ECHO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, SUSPEND, OR DISCONTINUE THE PLATFORM (OR ANY PART THEREOF) AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
13.5 AI-Generated Content
Certain Platform features incorporate AI-generated outputs, including organization profile summaries and industry classifications generated by Google Gemini. These outputs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or reflect the limitations of AI systems. Echo does not warrant the accuracy of AI-generated content and encourages users to verify such information independently.
13.6 Karma System Disclaimer
THE KARMA CREDIT SYSTEM IS AN INTERNAL PLATFORM MECHANISM WITH NO MONETARY VALUE. ECHO DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT KARMA BALANCES WILL BE PRESERVED IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND ECHO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE THE KARMA SYSTEM AT ANY TIME WITHOUT LIABILITY.
13.7 Promotional Period and Demonstrative Data
The Platform may be offered during a Promotional Period. During any such period, the Platform may include Demonstrative Data, as defined in Section 1, for illustration, onboarding, demonstration, or similar purposes.
You acknowledge and agree that: (i) Demonstrative Data is purely fictional and illustrative and is not based on any real-world individual, organization, or event; (ii) you must not treat Demonstrative Data as factual, verified, current, or representative of any actual person, employer, or circumstance; (iii) you must not rely on Demonstrative Data for employment, hiring, investment, legal, financial, or other decisions; (iv) Echo may add to, edit, supplement, replace, or remove any Demonstrative Data at any time, in its sole discretion, with or without notice; and (v) Echo disclaims all warranties with respect to Demonstrative Data to the same extent as for other Platform content under these Terms.
Nothing in this Section 13.7 limits your obligations with respect to your own submissions under Section 4 or elsewhere in these Terms.
14. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL ECHO, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, LICENSORS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, DATA, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PLATFORM, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) AND EVEN IF ECHO HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ECHO'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID ECHO IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM; OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD $100).
FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, ECHO IS NOT LIABLE FOR: (I) THE LOSS OF KARMA CREDITS DUE TO ACCOUNT TERMINATION, SYSTEM MODIFICATION, OR AUTHOR DELETION OF CONTENT; (II) THE UNAVAILABILITY OF PREVIOUSLY UNLOCKED CONTENT BODIES; OR (III) DECISIONS MADE BY OTHER USERS, INCLUDING AN ECHO AUTHOR'S DECISION TO DECLINE AN UNLOCK REQUEST.
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages; in such jurisdictions, the above limitations apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.
15. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Echo, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to:
- Your use of the Platform, including any Content you submit;
- Your violation of these Terms;
- Your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property right, privacy right, or contractual right;
- Your violation of any applicable law or regulation, including any employment-related obligation, non-disclosure agreement, or confidentiality obligation;
- Any claim that your Content caused damage to a third party;
- Your misuse of the Karma Credit system or Unlock Mechanism.
This indemnification obligation survives the termination or expiration of these Terms and your use of the Platform.
16. Platform Immunity (Section 230 CDA)
Echo is an interactive computer service within the meaning of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230. Echo does not create or author Echo Intel snippets, forum posts, Opinion topics, Opinions, or reputation flags; those are created solely by Users. Accordingly, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Echo shall not be treated as a publisher or speaker of any third-party Content for purposes of civil liability.
Section 230 immunity does not extend to: (i) Content created by Echo itself; (ii) federal criminal law; (iii) intellectual property claims; (iv) electronic privacy laws; or (v) sex trafficking laws. Echo's moderation decisions — including decisions to remove, retain, restrict, or decline to restrict Content — are made in good faith and do not constitute co-authorship of third-party Content.
Users who submit unlawful Content remain personally liable for that Content under applicable law. Echo's immunity does not shield individual Users from liability for their own submissions.
17. Employment Law Compliance
17.1 User Responsibility
You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of the Platform complies with all employment-related legal obligations to which you are subject, including but not limited to non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality clauses, non-disparagement agreements, trade secret protection obligations, and any applicable whistleblower or labor laws.
17.2 Prohibition on Confidential Disclosures
You must not disclose in any Echo Intel, forum post, Opinion topic, or other Content any information that is confidential, proprietary, or protected by a non-disclosure or confidentiality obligation owed to your current or former employer. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the information is labeled as confidential.
17.3 No Employment Decisions
Echo Content is not intended and should not be used as the basis for employment decisions, including decisions regarding hiring, termination, promotion, compensation, discipline, or any other adverse personnel action. Employers who become aware of Echo Content relating to their employees or former employees should not use that Content in employment decisions, as doing so may violate applicable employment, privacy, or labor laws. Echo expressly disclaims responsibility for the use of Platform Content in any employment decision context.
17.4 Anti-Retaliation
Echo prohibits the use of the Platform to retaliate against any individual for whistleblowing, reporting workplace misconduct, participating in protected labor activity, or exercising any legally protected right. Content submitted for retaliatory purposes violates these Terms and may be subject to removal.
17.5 Protected Characteristics
Echo Intel and other Content must not reference or be motivated by a person's race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.
18. DMCA / Copyright Takedown Policy
18.1 Notification of Infringement
If you believe that Content on the Platform infringes your copyright, you may submit a written notice of claimed infringement to Echo's designated agent at the contact information in Section 24. Your notice must include:
- An electronic or physical signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf;
- A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed;
- A description of where the allegedly infringing material is located on the Platform (e.g., a URL);
- Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, and email address);
- A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law;
- A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf.
18.2 Counter-Notification
If you believe Content was removed from the Platform in error, you may submit a counter-notification to Echo's designated agent. Your counter-notification must include: your physical or electronic signature; identification of the removed material and its location before removal; a statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake; your name, address, and telephone number; and a consent to jurisdiction of the federal court in the district in which you reside.
18.3 Repeat Infringers
Echo will terminate the accounts of Users who are determined to be repeat infringers of intellectual property rights.
19. International Users
Echo is operated from the United States. If you access or use the Platform from outside the United States, you do so at your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with all applicable local laws. By using the Platform from outside the United States, you consent to the transfer of your personal data to the United States and to other countries where Echo's third-party service providers operate, and acknowledge that such transfers may involve countries with data protection laws that differ from those in your country of residence.
Echo is committed to complying with applicable international data protection laws. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and other regions with specific data rights may have additional rights regarding their personal data, as described in Section 11.4 and in Echo's Privacy Policy. If you are accessing the Platform from a jurisdiction where such a service may be regulated or prohibited, you are solely responsible for compliance with applicable local laws.
20. Modifications to These Terms
Echo reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of these Terms and, where feasible, provide notice to Users via email or an in-Platform notification. Minor or non-material changes may be made without advance notice.
Your continued use of the Platform after any modification to these Terms constitutes your binding acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree with any modified Terms, you must immediately cease using the Platform and may delete your account. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.
21. Account Termination and Suspension
21.1 Termination by Echo
Echo reserves the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for reasons including but not limited to:
- Violation of these Terms, including any Content Standards or Prohibited Conduct;
- Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal conduct;
- Submission of fraudulent verification documentation;
- Manipulation of the Karma Credit system or Unlock Mechanism;
- Receipt of a valid legal demand requiring account action;
- Prolonged account inactivity;
- Technical or security reasons;
- Echo's decision to discontinue the Platform or a feature.
21.2 Termination by You
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting Echo at the address in Section 24 or through any account deletion feature made available on the Platform. Upon termination, your access to the Platform will cease. Karma Credits in your balance will be forfeited and cannot be refunded or transferred. Content you have previously submitted may remain on the Platform in accordance with Echo's data retention policies and these Terms.
21.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination for any reason: (i) all rights and licenses granted to you under these Terms will immediately cease; (ii) your Karma Credit balance will be forfeited; (iii) provisions that by their nature should survive termination will continue in effect, including Sections 10 (Intellectual Property), 13 (Disclaimers), 14 (Limitation of Liability), 15 (Indemnification), 22 (Governing Law and Dispute Resolution), and any other provisions that by their nature survive; and (iv) Echo may retain data relating to your account as required for legal compliance or legitimate operational purposes.
22. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
22.1 Governing Law
These Terms, and any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [STATE], United States, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
22.2 Informal Resolution
Before initiating formal legal proceedings, you agree to first contact Echo in writing at the address in Section 24 describing your dispute and proposed resolution. The parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute informally for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of your written notice. If the dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue formal dispute resolution as described below.
22.3 Binding Arbitration
EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS THAT MAY BE BROUGHT IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT, ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM SHALL BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION ("AAA") UNDER ITS CONSUMER ARBITRATION RULES, RATHER THAN IN COURT. THE ARBITRATION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH, AND JUDGMENT ON THE AWARD MAY BE ENTERED IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. YOU AND ECHO EACH WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION PROCEEDING. THE ARBITRATOR MAY NOT CONSOLIDATE MORE THAN ONE PERSON'S CLAIMS AND MAY NOT OTHERWISE PRESIDE OVER ANY FORM OF CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
Nothing in this Section prohibits either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief from a court to prevent or stop irreparable harm pending the outcome of arbitration.
22.4 Venue
For any claims not subject to arbitration under Section 22.3, or for purposes of enforcing an arbitration award, the parties consent to exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts located in [CITY, STATE].
23. Miscellaneous
23.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other policies or agreements incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Echo with respect to the Platform and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, representations, and warranties.
23.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.
23.3 Waiver
Echo's failure to enforce any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Echo to be effective.
23.4 Assignment
You may not assign, transfer, delegate, or sublicense your rights or obligations under these Terms without Echo's prior written consent. Echo may freely assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or operation of law, without your consent.
23.5 Force Majeure
Echo shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performance resulting from causes beyond Echo's reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, government action, natural disasters, internet outages, or failures of third-party service providers.
23.6 No Third-Party Beneficiaries
These Terms are for the benefit of you and Echo only, and are not intended to confer any benefit on any third party.
23.7 Electronic Communications
By using the Platform, you consent to receive communications from Echo electronically, including via email, in-Platform notifications, and other electronic means. You agree that such electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that communications be in writing.
23.8 Language
These Terms are written in English. To the extent any translated version of these Terms conflicts with the English version, the English version shall control.
24. Contact Information
For questions about these Terms, to exercise data rights, to report a legal issue, to submit a DMCA notice or counter-notice, or for any other Platform-related inquiry, please contact Echo at:
Echo / EchoCore
Website: https://www.echocore.net
Email: support@echocore.net
Mailing Address: 351 Marin Blvd Unit 3511, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA
For DMCA / copyright matters specifically, please mark your correspondence "DMCA Notice" and direct it to the contact above.
This Terms of Service document was last updated on May 23, 2026. Echo is committed to maintaining a professional, trustworthy, and fair platform for workplace intelligence.