TERMS & CONDITIONS — VORTEX APP

TERMS & CONDITIONS — VORTEX APP

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Effective date: May 25, 2026

This document covers the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy,

and AI/LLM Disclosure for the Vortex mobile application,

developed and operated by Silvio Ruiu ("we", "us", "our").

By using Vortex, you agree to these terms in full. If you

do not agree, do not use the application.

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INDEX

1. About Vortex

2. Account & Registration

3. Subscription & Billing

4. Cancellation & Refund

5. Acceptable Use

6. Intellectual Property

7. Privacy Policy

8. AI & LLM Disclosure

9. Data Storage & Security

10. Third-Party Services

11. Safety, Authorization & Responsibility

12. Limitation of Liability

13. Changes to These Terms

14. Governing Law

15. Contact

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1. ABOUT VORTEX

Vortex is an AI-powered troubleshooting application for

wheel blasting and wheel peening operators. It combines

artificial intelligence with the technical expertise of

CMBlasterUS to help users identify and address issues with

their industrial equipment.

Vortex is available now on the Apple App Store.

Vortex is an informational tool. It does NOT replace the

machine manufacturer's documentation, the user's training,

the organization's procedures, or applicable safety laws.

The Vortex mobile application is published and operated

by Silvio Ruiu (Individual Entrepreneur, VAT IT 03658920362).

Enterprise distribution agreements, on-site consulting,

and Vortex Method™ services are managed separately by

SilvioR Srl (VAT IT 04000800369), with which Silvio Ruiu

is also associated. References to "we", "us", "our" in

this document refer specifically to Silvio Ruiu as

publisher of the Vortex App.

Publisher contact:

Silvio Ruiu

Engineer — Individual Entrepreneur

Via Marino Piazza 2, 41013 Castelfranco Emilia (MO), Italy

VAT: IT 03658920362

Tax Code: RUISLV78H23F979N

Email: silvioruiu@gmail.com

SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS

We reserve the right to modify, update, suspend, or

discontinue any feature, functionality, or component of

the Vortex application at any time, without prior notice,

for technical, security, regulatory, or legal reasons.

Such modifications may include changes to the user

interface, internal architecture, AI models, supported

devices, supported languages, or third-party integrations.

We will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant

changes that materially affect the user experience, but

minor or routine updates may be deployed without

individual notification.

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2. ACCOUNT & REGISTRATION

To use Vortex, you must create an account using a valid

email address. You are responsible for keeping your

credentials confidential and for all activity that occurs

under your account.

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority

in your jurisdiction, to use this application.

Each subscription tier (A, B, C, Enterprise) determines

how many user accounts can be linked to a single

organization. See "Subscription & Billing" below.

Each Vortex account is tied to the Apple ID or Google

account used to install the application. Only the

registered user with that Apple ID or Google account is

authorized to use the account.

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3. SUBSCRIPTION & BILLING

Vortex is offered through monthly subscriptions managed

exclusively by Apple App Store (and, in the future, by

Google Play Store).

Subscription tiers:

- Tier A: €49.99 / month — 1 user, 15 min/month live support

- Tier B: €89.99 / month — 2 users, 30 min/month live support

- Tier C: €199.99 / month — 5 users, 60 min/month live support

- Enterprise: custom pricing, contact us for a quote

All payments are processed by Apple. We do not collect,

store, or have access to your credit card information.

Apple charges your Apple ID payment method on your

subscription anniversary date each month.

Apple applies the applicable VAT (or sales tax) based on

the user's country of residence. Final prices shown in

the App Store include all applicable taxes.

Payments are received by the developer (Silvio Ruiu,

Italy) as a self-employed individual entrepreneur. All

applicable tax obligations are managed in accordance

with Italian law.

In-app purchase: users may purchase additional 30-minute

live support blocks for €75.00 each. These are consumable

products and expire at the end of the current monthly

billing cycle.

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4. CANCELLATION & REFUND

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your

Apple ID Account Settings. Cancellation takes effect at

the end of the current billing period. Until then, you

retain full access to the service.

We do not issue refunds directly. Refund policy is

determined by Apple, which manages the billing

relationship with the customer. Apple's refund policy

applies (typically within 90 days of the original

purchase). Apple has sole discretion over refund decisions.

For consumers residing in the European Union, additional

rights may apply under EU consumer law, including the

14-day cooling-off period for digital products as

provided by Directive 2011/83/EU on Consumer Rights.

Note that this right may not apply once the digital

service has been activated with the user's explicit

consent.

Cancellation of your subscription will result in the

deletion or anonymization of your account data within

90 days, unless otherwise required by law.

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5. ACCEPTABLE USE

You agree to use Vortex only for lawful purposes related

to industrial equipment support and troubleshooting.

By uploading machine manuals, technical documentation, or

any other content to Vortex, you confirm that:

- You have the legal right and authorization from your

organization to share that content

- You are authorized by your employer or organization to

operate on the machine(s) covered by the uploaded manuals

- You are qualified, trained, and assigned by your

organization to perform troubleshooting and maintenance

tasks on those machines, according to your formal role

and job description

You must NOT:

- Upload manuals, documents, or media that you do not have

the legal right to share

- Use Vortex to perform operations outside your authorized

job duties or competencies

- Bypass your organization's chain of responsibility

(e.g. operations that must be carried out by certified

maintenance personnel, qualified electricians, or

external technicians)

- Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or interfere with

the application

- Use Vortex to harass, harm, or deceive others

- Use the AI to generate or distribute illegal, harmful,

or copyrighted content without authorization

- Share your account credentials with third parties

- Resell, sublicense, or commercially redistribute the

Vortex service without our written consent

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts

that violate these terms.

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6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Vortex application, its design, code, branding, and

all associated content are the intellectual property of

Silvio Ruiu. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any

part of Vortex without our explicit written permission.

User-uploaded content (machine manuals, photos, chat

messages, etc.) remains the property of the user or their

organization. By uploading content, you grant Silvio Ruiu

a limited, non-exclusive license to process that content

solely for the purpose of providing the Vortex service.

We do NOT use your uploaded manuals or chat data to train

AI models. Your content is private to your organization.

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7. PRIVACY POLICY

Silvio Ruiu (the "Data Controller") values your privacy

and complies with applicable data protection regulations,

including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

for European Union users.

DATA CONTROLLER

For the purposes of GDPR, the Data Controller of personal

data collected through the Vortex application is:

Silvio Ruiu

Via Marino Piazza 2, 41013 Castelfranco Emilia (MO), Italy

VAT: IT 03658920362

Tax Code: RUISLV78H23F979N

Email: silvioruiu@gmail.com

For any data protection inquiry, you may contact the

Data Controller at the address above.

DATA WE COLLECT

When you use Vortex, we collect:

- Account information: email address, name, organization

name

- Equipment information: machine serial numbers, models,

working hours, technical manuals you upload

- Usage data: chat conversations with the AI and human

support team, attached photos and videos, session

metadata

- Device information: device type, operating system, app

version, IP address (for security and diagnostics)

- Payment metadata: Apple transaction identifiers (we do

NOT collect credit card details, which are handled by

Apple)

WHY WE COLLECT IT

We use this data to:

- Provide the Vortex service (AI troubleshooting, live chat)

- Authenticate users and protect accounts from unauthorized

access

- Improve product quality and respond to support requests

- Comply with legal obligations (e.g. tax records, fraud

prevention)

We do NOT sell your personal data to third parties.

We do NOT use your manual content to train AI models.

YOUR RIGHTS

Under GDPR and applicable laws, you have the right to:

- Access your personal data

- Request correction of inaccurate data

- Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")

- Request a copy of your data in machine-readable format

(data portability)

- Object to certain types of processing

- Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:

silvioruiu@gmail.com

We will respond within 30 days.

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8. AI & LLM DISCLOSURE

Vortex uses large language model (LLM) technology to

analyze your questions and generate troubleshooting

responses based on the machine manuals you have uploaded.

AI Provider: Anthropic, PBC (https://anthropic.com)

Models used: Claude Sonnet 4.6, Claude Haiku 4.5

Data processing locations: United States and European Union

When you send a message in Vortex:

1. Your message and relevant manual context are

transmitted securely to Anthropic's servers

2. The AI model generates a response in real time

3. The response is returned to your device and stored in

your chat history

IMPORTANT NOTES ON AI USE

- AI responses are based on the content of YOUR uploaded

manuals and on general technical expertise embedded in

the model. They are intended as informational guidance,

NOT as a substitute for professional engineering

judgment, safety procedures, or manufacturer

recommendations.

- Always follow your machine manufacturer's safety

guidelines and your organization's operating procedures.

- AI responses may occasionally be incorrect, incomplete,

or inappropriate to your specific situation. When in

doubt, escalate to a human expert via the in-app Support

function or contact your equipment manufacturer.

- Vortex does NOT replace certified maintenance, repair,

or safety inspections.

YOUR DATA AND AI

- Anthropic does NOT use Vortex data to train its general

AI models, per their commercial API terms.

- Your uploaded manuals remain confidential to your

organization within the Vortex platform.

- We retain chat history to provide service continuity

(history, reports). You may request deletion at any time.

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9. DATA STORAGE & SECURITY

Your data is stored on Google Firebase infrastructure

(Firestore database and Cloud Storage) in data centers

located primarily in the European Union and United States.

We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

- Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS / TLS)

- Encrypted data at rest

- Access control and authentication (Firebase

Authentication)

- Regular security reviews

While we take reasonable steps to protect your data, no

internet-based service can guarantee absolute security.

You acknowledge this inherent risk when using Vortex.

In the event of a data breach affecting your personal

information, we will notify you within 72 hours of

discovery, as required by GDPR.

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10. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Vortex relies on the following third-party services to

provide its functionality:

- Apple App Store (subscription and billing management)

- Google Firebase (authentication, database, file storage)

- Anthropic Claude API (AI processing)

By using Vortex, you also agree to the respective terms

and privacy policies of these providers:

- Apple: https://apple.com/legal/privacy

- Google: https://firebase.google.com/terms

- Anthropic: https://anthropic.com/legal

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11. SAFETY, AUTHORIZATION & RESPONSIBILITY

This section is fundamental. By using Vortex, you

acknowledge and accept the following.

VORTEX IS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL ONLY

Vortex provides guidance based on AI and on the manuals

you upload. It does NOT replace, override, or substitute:

- The original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) operating,

maintenance, safety, and installation manuals

- The safety procedures, work instructions, lockout/tagout

protocols, or operational standards of your organization

- National, regional, or local occupational safety laws

and regulations applicable to the country where the

machine is installed and operated (including but not

limited to OSHA in the United States, the Machinery

Directive 2006/42/EC in the European Union, and

equivalent regulations in other jurisdictions)

- The professional judgment of certified technicians,

engineers, electricians, or qualified maintenance staff

AUTHORIZATION AND ROLE COMPETENCE

By uploading machine manuals and using Vortex, the user

formally represents and warrants that:

- They are authorized by their employer or organization

to operate on the relevant machine(s) covered by the

uploaded manuals

- They are following their formal role description, job

title, and assigned responsibilities within their

organization

- They will NOT perform any operation that exceeds their

training, qualifications, certifications, or formal job

competencies

- Tasks that fall under the responsibility of dedicated

teams MUST be delegated to those teams, regardless of

any procedural guidance offered by Vortex. This includes

but is not limited to:

• Maintenance team interventions

• Electrical work and PLC programming

• Mechanical disassembly/reassembly of major components

• Pressurized component servicing

• High-voltage operations

• Confined space entry

• Safety inspections and recertification

• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures

• Any operation requiring specific certifications under

national or local law

Even if Vortex provides instructions or procedures for

the above operations, the user MUST escalate the task to

the qualified team if it falls outside their authorized

role within the organization.

USER RESPONSIBILITY

The user is solely and fully responsible for:

- Verifying that any procedure suggested by Vortex

conforms to the OEM manual, organizational safety

procedures, and applicable national/local laws

- Ensuring they have the proper Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) before performing any operation

- Stopping any operation immediately if it falls outside

their authorization, training, or competence, and

escalating it to the appropriate team or external

expert

- Complying with all applicable local laws, labor

regulations, occupational safety standards, and

certifications required in the country where the

machine is installed

- Notifying their organization's safety officer or

supervisor of any concern that arises during operation

VORTEX IS NOT LIABLE FOR SAFETY OUTCOMES

Vortex, Silvio Ruiu, and any affiliated party shall NOT

be held responsible or liable for:

- Personal injury, death, or harm of any kind resulting

from the use, misuse, or interpretation of information

provided by the application

- Damage to machines, equipment, facilities, surrounding

property, or third parties

- Production losses, downtime, contractual penalties,

business interruption, or loss of revenue

- Violation of safety regulations, labor laws,

certifications, or insurance requirements by the user

or their organization

- Any failure of the user to follow the OEM manual, their

organization's procedures, or applicable laws

- Operations performed by the user outside their formal

authorization or competence

When in doubt about any operation, the user MUST consult

their organization's safety officer, the equipment

manufacturer, a certified technician, or the appropriate

internal/external authority BEFORE proceeding.

Vortex is designed to support and inform — not to replace

human judgment, professional certification, organizational

hierarchy, or legal compliance.

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12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

In addition to the safety and responsibility provisions

set forth in Section 11, and to the maximum extent

permitted by law:

- Vortex is provided "as is", without warranties of any

kind, express or implied.

- Silvio Ruiu is NOT liable for any direct, indirect,

incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages

arising from the use or inability to use the Vortex

service, including but not limited to: personal injury,

equipment damage, downtime, lost revenue, production

losses, regulatory penalties, or third-party claims.

- AI-generated guidance is informational only. The user

assumes full responsibility for verifying the accuracy

and applicability of AI suggestions before acting on them.

- Always rely on certified technicians, OEM procedures,

and applicable safety regulations for any operation on

industrial equipment.

Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusions of certain

warranties or liabilities; in such cases, the foregoing

limitations apply to the maximum extent permitted by

applicable law. Nothing in these terms limits liability

that cannot be excluded under applicable law (e.g. for

gross negligence or willful misconduct under Italian law).

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13. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

Material changes will be communicated through:

- An in-app notification

- An update notice on this page (with revised "Last

updated" date)

- Email notification to registered users for major changes

Continued use of Vortex after changes constitutes

acceptance of the revised terms.

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14. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of

Italy. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the

courts of Modena, Italy.

For consumers residing in the European Union, you may

also have access to dispute resolution through the

European Online Dispute Resolution platform:

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr

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15. CONTACT

For any question regarding these Terms & Conditions,

Privacy Policy, or your data:

Silvio Ruiu

Engineer — Individual Entrepreneur

Via Marino Piazza 2

41013 Castelfranco Emilia (MO), Italy

VAT: IT 03658920362

Tax Code: RUISLV78H23F979N

Email: silvioruiu@gmail.com

For Vortex app technical support and customer service

questions related to in-app functionality:

Email: vortexpert.chat@gmail.com

For enterprise distribution agreements, on-site consulting,

Vortex Method™ services, or LABS Method engagements,

contact SilvioR Srl through https://www.cmblasterus.com

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End of document.