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Policy
Terms, privacy, copyright & abuse framework
Terms
Privacy
DMCA
Copyright
Terms of Service ToS

The Terms of Service for the Spectra platform serve as the foundational legal agreement governing all use of the service. Its primary purpose is to define acceptable user conduct, establish clear boundaries, and protect the operator from legal liability. Spectra's operational model—a metadata routing service that forwards files to a distributed edge-storage network without direct storage—means the ToS must explicitly articulate this relationship to shift responsibility for content to the end-user and the storage provider.

No Storage & No Warranty
Spectra acts as a metadata routing service and provides links "as is." The platform makes no representations or warranties regarding the quality, safety, or legality of the content they point to. Files are never stored on Spectra's servers.
Acceptable Use

A critical component of the ToS is the explicit list of prohibited activities. These prohibitions directly address the inherent risks of a file-sharing service:

  • Users must not upload any illegal material, including CSAM, terrorist or extremist content, and incitement to violence.
  • Users must strictly refrain from copyright infringement. You are solely responsible for ensuring you have the necessary rights to upload any copyrighted work.
  • The terms strictly ban spam, phishing attempts, and malicious code such as malware or viruses.
  • Users must not attempt to circumvent security measures, including automated rate-limiting rules designed to prevent abuse.
  • All activity conducted under a user's account or IP address is their sole responsibility. Unauthorized use must be reported immediately.

Key Provisions Table
Provision Details
User Responsibility Users are fully responsible for all activity under their account or IP address and must report any unauthorized use immediately.
No Storage Spectra acts as a metadata router and makes no warranties about the content accessed through its links.
Limitation of Liability Spectra is not liable for service interruptions, errors, or damages arising from the use of its links or generated content.
Termination Spectra reserves the right to suspend or terminate access for any breach of these terms without prior notice.

Limitation of Liability
Spectra is not liable for any damages arising from the use of the service. This includes interruptions, errors, or failures of the service; the presence or absence of content; and any harm resulting from the use of links generated by the platform. Because Spectra acts as a conduit rather than a primary host, this clause protects the operator from claims related to user-generated content stored on the edge network.
Privacy Policy Data

The Privacy Policy is a commitment to transparency, outlining what personal information Spectra collects, why it is collected, how it is used, and with whom it is shared. The policy is precise about the minimal data footprint, consistent with Spectra's zero-knowledge edge architecture. Since Spectra offers a "no account" experience, it does not require users to create an account or provide personal information beyond what is necessary for the service itself.

No Account Required
Spectra offers a "no account" experience. No sign-up, no login, no personal information collected beyond what is necessary for file transfers and abuse prevention.
Data Collection

The primary data collection occurs within our metadata database, where Spectra stores a mapping between a unique custom ID (e.g., /v/abc123) and the final edge-storage URL after a successful upload. This is the only persistent data tied to a user's action. No files are stored on Spectra's servers.

  • URL Mappings: A unique custom ID linked to the final edge-storage URL. This is the only server-side persistent data.
  • Automatic Data: IP addresses and browser information are used for operational analysis and abuse prevention only.
  • Local History: Upload history is stored client-side in your browser's localStorage and is never sent to any server.

Data Sharing

Spectra does not sell, rent, or otherwise share user data with third parties for marketing purposes. The only entity that receives information about uploaded files is the distributed edge-storage network, as part of the file forwarding process. This aligns with best practices for user privacy and minimizes the platform's data retention obligations.


Your Rights

The policy grants users rights over their own data, including the ability to request access, correction, or deletion. While deleting a link from Spectra's metadata database would invalidate the shortlink, it would not affect the original file on the edge-storage network. This distinction is vital for managing expectations.

Data Type Storage Retention
URL Mappings Edge metadata database Until deleted
Upload History localStorage Client-side only
IP / Browser Info Logs (temporary) Abuse prevention
Uploaded Files Edge-storage network Permanent (default)
DMCA Takedown Legal

A robust copyright policy is non-negotiable for any platform facilitating user-generated content. Spectra's policy affirms its commitment to respecting copyright laws, establishing the platform's position as a good-faith participant in the ecosystem of digital rights management. The policy outlines a clear and efficient procedure for copyright holders to report alleged infringements.

Neutral Intermediary
Spectra's role is to act as a neutral intermediary, enforcing the legal framework of the DMCA while providing a fair process for all parties involved. This balanced approach is consistent with the procedures adopted by major platforms like Discord and Dropbox.
Filing a Takedown Notice

To submit a valid DMCA takedown notice, the following information must be included:

  1. Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed. Provide a description or the original source of the work.
  2. Identification of the infringing material and its location on the Spectra site. Include the full URL of the allegedly infringing content.
  3. Sufficient contact information for the complainant, including name, email address, and physical mailing address.
  4. A good faith statement that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  5. A statement of accuracy confirming that the information in the notice is accurate, under penalty of perjury.
  6. A physical or electronic signature of the complainant or their authorized representative.

After Filing Process

Once a valid DMCA notice is received, Spectra will act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the reported material. This often involves automated systems that immediately trigger the removal of a link from the metadata database upon receiving a notification. The removed link becomes immediately invalid.


Counter-Notification

To ensure fairness and due process, the policy includes a counter-notification provision. This allows a user whose content was removed to submit a counter-notice if they believe the takedown was erroneous or unlawful. The counter-notice must contain substantially similar information to the original complaint, stating that the user has a good faith belief that the material was removed by mistake or misidentification.

Fair Process
This two-way process protects against both copyright infringement and abusive takedown requests, which can be used to suppress legitimate speech. Spectra aims to balance rights enforcement with free expression.
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