Legal

Terms of Service

Effective date: 19 May 2026  ·  Last updated: 19 May 2026  ·  guardianai.co.za
📋 The short version
GuardianAI is a free tool that helps you protect sensitive data when using AI tools. Use it responsibly. It is provided as-is during the beta period. We are not liable for missed detections. Do not use it for anything illegal. That is essentially it.

1. Acceptance of terms

By installing or using the GuardianAI Chrome extension or visiting guardianai.co.za, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please uninstall the extension and do not use the service.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

2. What GuardianAI is

GuardianAI is a Chrome browser extension that scans text you type into AI chat interfaces (currently Claude and ChatGPT) and warns you when it detects potentially sensitive data — including SA ID numbers, credentials, email addresses, and other configurable patterns.

GuardianAI is a best-effort detection tool, not a compliance guarantee. It is designed to help you catch accidental data sharing — it is not an audit tool, a legal compliance system, or a replacement for a data governance policy.

3. Beta status

GuardianAI is currently in beta. This means:

Important: GuardianAI may not catch all sensitive data. Do not rely on it as your only safeguard. It is one layer of protection, not a complete solution.

4. Permitted use

You may use GuardianAI for any lawful personal or professional purpose, including:

5. Prohibited use

You may not:

6. Intellectual property

GuardianAI, including its source code, design, branding, and documentation, is the intellectual property of Jon Boyle. All rights are reserved.

The GuardianAI name, logo, and brand identity may not be used without written permission.

Custom keywords and settings you configure within the extension remain yours. We have no access to them.

7. Disclaimer of warranties

GuardianAI is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that:

Detection patterns rely on regex and heuristics. They may produce false positives (flagging safe content) or false negatives (missing sensitive content). GuardianAI is a tool to assist human judgement, not replace it.

8. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, GuardianAI and its developer shall not be liable for:

If you are subject to regulatory obligations (POPIA, UK GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, or other frameworks), GuardianAI does not constitute compliance with those obligations. Consult a qualified legal or compliance professional.

9. POPIA compliance mode — important notice

GuardianAI includes a POPIA compliance mode that tags detections with relevant sections of the Protection of Personal Information Act. This feature is provided to assist awareness — it does not constitute legal advice, a legal opinion, or confirmation of compliance.

The tagging is based on our interpretation of POPIA. We are not lawyers. Section tags may be incorrect or incomplete. Always consult your organisation's Information Officer or a qualified attorney for legal compliance matters.

10. Privacy

Our collection and use of information in connection with the service is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these terms by reference.

Short version: we collect nothing. Everything stays on your device.

11. Modifications to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of GuardianAI after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

12. Termination

You may stop using GuardianAI at any time by uninstalling the Chrome extension. We may terminate or suspend access to the service at any time, for any reason, without notice.

13. Governing law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of GuardianAI shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

14. Contact

Questions about these terms? Get in touch:

Email: hello@guardianai.co.za
Website: guardianai.co.za
South Africa