TERMS & CONDITIONS — VORTEX WHEEL BLASTER SUPPORT
Updated: Sep 26
Last updated: September 26, 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. Languages & Translations
10. Data Storage & Security
11. Third-Party Services
12. Safety, Authorization & Responsibility
13. Limitation of Liability
14. Changes to These Terms
15. Governing Law
16. Contact & Data deletion
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1. ABOUT VORTEX
Vortex Wheel Blaster Support ("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 on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play 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: vortexpert.chat@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.
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Vortex works only on devices and systems that meet these minimum requirements:
- iPhone with iOS 18.6 or later. On iPad, the iPhone version of the app runs in compatibility mode.
- Android smartphone with Android 7.0 or later and Google Play services.
- Web console: the latest version of Safari (Mac) or Google Chrome (Mac and Windows).
- A stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). AI answers, VortExpert live support, manuals and data synchronization do not work offline.
- Camera access for serial number scanning, photos and attachments; notifications enabled to receive calls, reminders and alerts.
We do not guarantee operation, and accept no liability for malfunctions, data loss or missed notifications, on devices or systems below these requirements, on modified devices (jailbroken or rooted), on beta versions of the operating system, or when permissions, notifications or connectivity are disabled or restricted by the user or their organization (e.g. firewalls, VPNs, device management policies).
Requirements may change with future updates; the current ones are always shown in the store listing and on this page.
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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 the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, depending on the platform on which the application was installed.
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 or by Google, according to the store from which the application was installed. We do not collect, store, or have access to your credit card information.
Apple charges your Apple ID payment method, and Google charges the payment method associated with your Google account, on your subscription anniversary date each month.
Apple and Google apply the applicable VAT (or sales tax) based on the user's country of residence. Final prices shown in the App Store and in the Google Play 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. In organizations with more than one user, the account owner (Tier B and C) or the organization's administrators (Enterprise) decide whether every user may purchase additional blocks directly, or whether purchases are made by the owner or by an administrator upon a user's request.
ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATIONS
For organizations on an Enterprise plan, the plan itself — number of users and machines, included live-support minutes and pricing — is defined by the separate agreement signed by the organization. Additional live-support blocks purchased in the app are handled through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, as for every other plan. In case of conflict between these Terms and the Enterprise agreement, the Enterprise agreement prevails.
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4. CANCELLATION & REFUND
You may cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple ID Account Settings or, on Android, through your Google Play subscription 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 or by Google, whichever manages the billing relationship with the customer. The refund policy of the relevant store applies (typically within 90 days of the original purchase for Apple, and according to Google Play's published refund policy for Android). Apple and Google have sole discretion over refund decisions for purchases made through their respective platforms.
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: vortexpert.chat@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 or Google Play transaction identifiers (we do NOT collect credit card details, which are handled by Apple and Google)
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: vortexpert.chat@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. LANGUAGES & TRANSLATIONS
Vortex is available in 15 languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean and Thai.
The app follows the language set on your device. If your device language is not one of these, the app is shown in English. AI answers are given in the language of your device or of your question.
Interface texts, maintenance item names and AI answers in your language are translated with care, but they may contain errors or imprecise technical terms. The manufacturer's manual in its original language always prevails: in case of doubt, check the original text before acting.
These Terms & Conditions and the in-app disclaimer are drafted in English only. Any translation is provided for convenience only; in case of discrepancy, the English version prevails.
If you spot a translation or terminology issue — or you are a native speaker and know the right term — please write to vortexpert.chat@gmail.com. It helps us improve Vortex for you and for your colleagues all over the world. Thank you.
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10. 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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11. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
Vortex relies on the following third-party services to provide its functionality:
- Apple App Store (subscription and billing management on iOS)
- Google Play Billing (subscription and billing management on Android)
- 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 Play: https://play.google.com/about/play-terms
- Google Firebase: https://firebase.google.com/terms
- Anthropic: https://anthropic.com/legal
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12. 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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13. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
In addition to the safety and responsibility provisions set forth in Section 12, 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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14. 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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15. 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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16. CONTACT
For any question regarding these Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, your data, or Vortex app technical support and customer service:
Silvio Ruiu
Engineer — Individual Entrepreneur
Via Marino Piazza 2
41013 Castelfranco Emilia (MO), Italy
VAT: IT 03658920362
Tax Code: RUISLV78H23F979N
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
About data deletion procedure here: https://www.cmblasterus.com/post/account-data-deletion-vortex-wheel-blaster-support
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