Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

Introduction

Whetstone Network ("we," "our," or "us") is a service that connects builders with human experts for short, one-on-one video sessions to sharpen plans before they commit time, money, and energy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our service.

Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly and information generated through your use of Whetstone Network:

• Account and Session Request Information: Email address, LinkedIn profile URL, optional portfolio link, the domain you select for your session, your selected session length, and the free-text context you share about what you are building and the decision you need to make.
• Communications: Email correspondence with us, including replies to confirmation messages and ongoing conversations about scheduling and sessions.
• Session Data: Scheduling details and any materials you choose to share with the expert before, during, or after the session. We do not currently record sessions; if that changes, we will update this policy and obtain consent before recording.
• Payment Data: When you pay for a session, our third-party payment processor collects payment details directly. We do not store full card numbers; we may retain transaction metadata such as amount, date, and an opaque processor reference.
• Technical Data: Limited information required to operate the site, including IP address, user-agent string, and pages requested, collected by our hosting provider.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Review and respond to session requests
• Match you with experts and schedule sessions
• Provide and maintain the Whetstone Network service
• Process payments and manage refunds
• Send transactional emails (confirmations, scheduling, account messages)
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Respond to support requests and communicate important updates
• Improve our matching, including by analyzing and modeling matching-outcome data (such as the category of problem submitted, the expert who was matched, the domain and session length selected, and how the match performed) and, over time, training machine learning models that power matching, in a way that does not expose the substance of the context you share

What we do not do with your content: We do not use the substance of what you share (your idea, plan, business, or materials) to build a competing product, to market other products to you or to other users, or to train machine learning models on the substance of your content.

Information Sharing

Your information may be shared in the following ways:

• With Matched Experts: When we match you with an expert, we share the information necessary to facilitate the session, including your name, the context you submitted, and the topic of the session. Experts are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Third-Party Services: We use Cloudflare for hosting and storage and Resend for transactional email delivery. These services only access data necessary to provide their functions. We will update this policy if we add new categories of providers (for example, a payment processor or video conferencing tool).
• Within 2nd Foundry: Whetstone Network is a product by 2nd Foundry. Information may be accessed by 2nd Foundry personnel and contractors who need it to operate the Service. Whetstone Network user data is not shared with the operators of other 2nd Foundry products for those products' purposes.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or others.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Data Security

We implement multiple layers of security to protect your data:

• Encrypted Transmission: All data is transmitted over HTTPS
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel and contractors can access user data, and only as needed to operate the service
• Hosting Posture: User data is stored within Cloudflare's infrastructure under standard platform security controls
• Email Security: Transactional email is sent via Resend over authenticated channels (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Data Retention

Our data retention practices:

• Active Records: We retain session requests, session records, and related correspondence for as long as we have a relationship with you or as needed to operate the Service
• Audit and Compliance: Records needed to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or prevent abuse may be retained after a relationship ends
• Data Export: You can request an export of your data by emailing us

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request an export of your data
• Request deletion of your account (subject to our data retention policies)
• Object to or restrict certain processing, where applicable law provides those rights
• Withdraw consent where we rely on consent to process your information

To exercise these rights, reach out to us at hello@whetstone.network. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

Cookies and Local Storage

We use cookies and similar technologies to provide and improve our service. Below is the current set:

These cookies are necessary for the service to function and to protect against abuse, and cannot be disabled. We do not currently use third-party advertising or analytics cookies on the Whetstone Network site. If we add analytics in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy and, where required, request your consent.

Children's Privacy

Whetstone Network is not directed to individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

International Data Transfers

Whetstone Network is operated from the United States. If you access the service from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. We rely on appropriate safeguards (such as standard contractual clauses) where required by law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of Whetstone Network after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, reach out to us at hello@whetstone.network.