Smithsonian Open Access (BYOK) — Privacy Policy

Effective 16 October 2026. Unify Dynamics LLC ("we", "us"), Menlo Park, California.

What Smithsonian Open Access (BYOK) is. Smithsonian Open Access (BYOK) is a connector (an MCP server and REST API) that an AI assistant calls on your behalf to read your own Smithsonian Open Access data: Search the Smithsonian Open Access collections of museum objects, archives and specimens and read their records with your own api.data.gov key. You bring your own Smithsonian Open Access api.data.gov API key; the assistant sends it to us with each request.

BYOK key. The key you supply is used to make the one Smithsonian Open Access call you asked for. Our application does not store it, write it to a log, put it in a cache, or share it. It is sent only to api.si.edu, over https, and is removed from any text we return to you or your assistant. We do not follow redirects with your key. If Smithsonian Open Access rejects it, we say so without repeating it.

What we receive. The arguments of each tool call, the BYOK key (for that call only), the technical headers needed to serve the request (an IP address or a client identifier supplied by the assistant) and standard server logs. What Smithsonian Open Access receives. The request we make on your behalf, including the key and the arguments, under Smithsonian Open Access's own terms and privacy policy (https://www.si.edu/termsofuse). Smithsonian Open Access acts at your direction and is the only recipient of the data of your request besides our hosting provider.

What we return. The answer Smithsonian Open Access gives for your request, trimmed to the fields the tool documents. We do not keep it: it is returned to your assistant and not stored, cached or used to train anything.

What we do not do. We do not build a profile, sell or share personal information, or keep your Smithsonian Open Access data. Rate-limit counters (a client identifier and timestamps) are held in memory for at most 24 hours. Hosting access logs (IP addresses, request paths and status codes) are kept for up to 30 days for security and abuse prevention; our application adds no request headers or bodies to them.

Sub-processors. Smithsonian Open Access (the API you call with a BYOK key, at your direction). Hosting: Vercel (United States regions).

Your rights. Because we store no personal data beyond short-lived logs, requests to access, correct or delete data are usually satisfied automatically; you can still contact agent@connectorbay.com and we will respond within 30 days. Revoke your key at Smithsonian Open Access at any time to end all access.

Children. Smithsonian Open Access (BYOK) is a general-audience service operated by the adult using the assistant, under Smithsonian Open Access's own age rules.

Changes. We will post changes here with a new effective date.