Data Processing Agreement
Effective: 28/11/2025
This Data Processing Agreement (“DPA”) is incorporated into and forms part of the Terms of Services or other agreement between Customer and StepFun that references this DPA and governs Customer’s use of the Services (the “Agreement”), and applies to StepFun’s processing of Customer Data (defined below). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this DPA will have the meaning set forth in the Agreement. StepFun may amend this DPA from time to time on reasonable notice to Customer to the extent such changes are required due to changes in Applicable Data Protection Laws. If there is any conflict between the terms of this DPA and the Agreement, the conflicting terms in this DPA will govern.
This DPA shall be governed by the laws, and shall be subject to the mandatory arbitration as set out in the Agreement (as if the relevant provision were set out here with all necessary changes) save where and to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Data Protection Laws in respect of any Customer Data shared under this DPA. This does not limit or affect the governing law of the Standard Contractual Clauses, where applicable.
1. Definitions
“Applicable Data Protection Laws” means all applicable privacy or data protection laws and regulations relating to the processing of personal data, as may be amended from time to time.
“Customer Personal Data” means personal data submitted through the Services by or for Customer or a Customer Affiliate.
“Customer Affiliate” means an affiliate of Customer that (a) is permitted to use the Services pursuant to the Agreement between StepFun and Customer, and (b) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the subject entity. “Control,” for purposes of this definition, means direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 50% of voting interests.
“Customer Data” means all data or other information submitted through the Services by or for Customer or a Customer Affiliate.
“Data Subject Request” means a request from a data subject to exercise their personal data-related rights under Applicable Data Protection Laws, such as rights to access, correct, or delete their personal data.
“GDPR” means Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and the Council approved by European Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/914 of 4 June 2021 (as amended from time to time).
“Security Breach” means a breach of StepFun’s security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure of, or unauthorized access to, Customer Personal Data.
“Standard Contractual Clauses” or “SCCs” means Module Two (controller to processor) or Module Three (processor to processor) of the Standard Contractual Clauses for the transfer of personal data to third countries pursuant to GDPR.
“Subprocessor” means an entity engaged by StepFun to process Customer Personal Data.
“UK Addendum” means the International Data Transfer Addendum to the SCCs, issued by the Information Commissioner under S119A(1) Data Protection Act 2018.
The terms “personal data”, “data subject”, “processing”, “controller”, and “processor” as used in this DPA have the meanings given by Applicable Data Protection Laws or, absent any such meaning or law, by GDPR.
The terms “controller” and “processor” include “business”, and “service provider”, respectively, as required by Applicable Data Protection Laws.
2. Processing of Customer Data
With respect to Customer Personal Data, Customer is the controller and StepFun is Customer’s processor. Each party will comply with its respective obligations under Applicable Data Protection Laws in connection with the Services and the Customer Personal Data.
Unless required by applicable law to which StepFun is subject, StepFun will only process Customer Personal Data to provide or maintain the Services, and in compliance with Customer’s documented instructions (including as set out in the Agreement and this DPA).
Without limiting the foregoing, StepFun will not:
“sell” or “share” Customer Personal Data, as defined by Applicable Data Protection Laws;
retain, use, or disclose Customer Personal Data outside of the direct business relationship and for any purpose other than for the business purposes specified in Part B of Schedule 1 and the Agreement or as otherwise permitted by Applicable Data Protection Laws; and
except as otherwise permitted by Applicable Data Protection Laws, combine Customer Personal Data with personal data that StepFun receives from or on behalf of another person or persons, or collects from its own interaction with the data subject.
As required under Applicable Data Protection Laws, StepFun will promptly inform Customer if it makes a determination that it can no longer comply with its processing obligations under this DPA, in which case Customer may take reasonable and appropriate steps in accordance with the Agreement to stop or remediate any unauthorized processing of Customer Personal Data.
StepFun will promptly inform Customer if, in its opinion, an instruction from Customer relating to the processing of Customer Personal Data violates Applicable Data Protection Law.
StepFun will cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance to Customer for: (a) Customer’s performance of any data protection impact assessment of the processing of Customer Personal Data by StepFun, and (b) related consultation with supervisory authorities, either or both of which Customer reasonably considers to be required by Applicable Data Protection Laws.
StepFun will ensure that each person it authorizes to process Customer Personal Data is subject to an appropriate duty of confidentiality.
Customer represents, warrants and covenants that it has and shall maintain throughout the term all necessary rights, consents and authorizations to provide the Customer Data to StepFun and to authorize StepFun to use, disclose, retain and otherwise process Customer Data as contemplated by this DPA, the Agreement and/or other processing instructions provided to StepFun.
Without prejudice to StepFun’s security obligations in Section 5 of this DPA, Customer acknowledges and agrees that it, rather than StepFun, is responsible for certain configurations and design decisions for the services and that Customer, and not StepFun, is responsible for implementing those configurations and design decisions in a secure manner that complies with Applicable Data Protection Laws.
Customer shall not provide Customer Data to StepFun except through agreed mechanisms. Without limitation to the foregoing, Customer represents, warrants and covenants that it shall only transfer Customer Data to StepFun using secure, reasonable and appropriate mechanisms, to the extent such mechanisms are within Customer’s control.
3. Subprocessors
Customer grants StepFun general authorization to engage the Subprocessors.
StepFun will: (a) enter into a contractual agreement with each Subprocessor imposing data protection obligations that are substantially as protective as StepFun’s obligations under this DPA to the extent applicable to the nature of the services provided by Subprocessor; and (b) subject to the limitations of liability included in the Agreement, remain liable to Customer for each Subprocessors’ acts and omissions related to this DPA to the extent StepFun is liable for its own.
4. Data Subject Requests
StepFun will forward to Customer promptly any Data Subject Request received by StepFun relating to the Customer Personal Data and may advise the Data Subject to submit their request directly to Customer.
StepFun will, taking into account the nature of the processing, provide Customer with reasonable and timely assistance as necessary for Customer to fulfill its obligation under Applicable Data Protection Laws to respond to Data Subject Requests.
5. Security
StepFun will comply with the data security obligations of Applicable Data Protection Laws, and will implement and maintain reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational data protection and security measures designed to ensure a level of security for the Customer Data (including the Customer Personal Data) appropriate to the risk of the relevant processing.
6. Security Breaches
StepFun will notify Customer in writing without undue delay, after becoming aware of any Security Breach, and will assist Customer in complying with Customer’s obligations under Applicable Data Protection laws by reasonably cooperating with Customer’s investigation of the Security Breach. StepFun’s notification of, or response to, a Security Breach will not be construed as an acknowledgement by StepFun of any fault or liability with respect to the Security Breach.
Upon becoming aware of a Security Breach, StepFun will (a) investigate the Security Breach, and (b) provide timely information relating to the nature of the Security Breach, such as, where reasonably possible, the categories and approximate number of data subjects concerned and the categories and approximate number of Customer Personal Data records concerned, the likely consequences of the Security Breach, and the measures taken or proposed to be taken by StepFun to address the Security Breach, including, where appropriate, measures to mitigate its possible adverse effects.
7. Deletion and Return
Within thirty (30) days of the date of termination or expiration of the Agreement, StepFun will:
if requested to do so by Customer within that period, return a copy of all Customer Data in its control or possession or provide a self-service functionality allowing Customer to do the same; and
delete all copies of Customer Data (including Customer Personal Data) processed by StepFun or any Subprocessors, except to the extent (i) Applicable Data Protection Laws or other applicable legal or regulatory requirements requires storage of the Customer Data, (ii) retention of the Customer Data by StepFun is necessary to resolve a dispute between the parties, or (iii) retention of the Customer Data is necessary to combat harmful use of the Services.
8. Standard Contractual Clauses
The parties agree that, to the extent required by Applicable Data Protection Laws, the terms of the SCCs Module Two (controller to processor) and/or Module Three (processor to processor), as completed as described in Schedule 2 of this DPA, are hereby incorporated by reference and will be deemed to have been executed by the parties.
To the extent required by Applicable Data Protection Laws, the jurisdiction-specific addenda to the SCCs set out in Schedule 2 are also incorporated herein by reference and will be deemed to have been executed by the parties.
To the extent that there is any conflict between the terms of this DPA, the Agreement, and the terms of the SCCs, the terms of the following documents will prevail (in order of precedence): (i) the SCCs; (ii) this DPA; and (iii) the Agreement.
StepFun will provide Customer reasonable support to enable Customer’s compliance with the requirements imposed on international transfers of Customer Personal Data. StepFun will, upon Customer’s request, provide information to Customer which is reasonably necessary for Customer to complete a transfer impact assessment to the extent required under Applicable Data Protection Laws.
Schedule 1 - Details of Processing and Transfers
A. List of Parties
The parties are set out in the preamble to this DPA. With regard to any transfers of Customer Personal Data falling within the scope of Applicable Data Protection Laws, additional information regarding the data exporter and data importer is set out below.
Data Exporter: The data exporter is the Customer and/or Customer Affiliates exporting Customer Personal Data to which GDPR applies. The data exporter’s contact person’s name, position and contact details as well as (if appointed) the data protection officer’s name and contact details and (if relevant) the representative’s contact details are included in the Agreement or will be disclosed to StepFun upon request.
Data Importer: The data importer is the StepFun entity that executed the Agreement. The data importer’s contact person and contact details are included in the Agreement or will be disclosed to Customer upon request.
B. Description of Processing
Categories of data subjects: Determined by Customer (in accordance with the Agreement).
Categories of personal data: Determined by the Customer (in accordance with the Agreement).
Special categories of personal data (if applicable): None.
Duration and Frequency of the processing: The processing is performed on a continuous basis for the duration of the Agreement and is determined by Customer’s configuration of the Services.
Subject matter and nature of the processing: Performing the Services on behalf of Customer which involves processing (including collection, storage, organization and structuring) of personal data as part of the AI-powered functions, as further described in the Agreement; verifying or maintaining the quality, security, and integrity of the Services; debugging to identify and repair errors that impair existing intended functionality.
Purpose(s) of the data transfer and further processing: To provide the Services to Customer pursuant to the Agreement and as may be further agreed upon by Customer and StepFun.
Storage Limitation: Compliance with legal requirements regarding data retention according to the applicable law.
Subprocessors (where applicable): May be used by StepFun to assist in the provision of the Services.
C. Competent Supervisory Authority
Identify the competent supervisory authority/ies in accordance with clause 13 of the SCCs:
Where the data exporter is established in an EU Member State: The supervisory authority of the country in which the data exporter established is the competent authority.
Where the data exporter is not established in an EU Member State, but falls within the territorial scope of application of the GDPR in accordance with its Article 3(2) and has appointed a representative pursuant to Article 27(1) of the GDPR: The competent supervisory authority is the one of the Member State in which the representative is established.
Where the data exporter is not established in an EU Member State, but falls within the territorial scope of application of the GDPR in accordance with its Article 3(2) without, however, having to appoint a representative pursuant to Article 27(2) of the GDPR: The competent supervisory authority is the supervisory authority of Ireland.
Schedule 2 - International Data Transfers
A. EU SCCs
Elections for the purposes of Module Two and Module Three of the Standard Contractual Clauses:
Clause 7 (Docking clause) – does not apply.
Clause 11 (Redress) – optional wording does not apply.
Clause 17 (Governing Law) – Option 1 will apply and the governing law will be the law of the Republic of Ireland.
Clause 18 (Choice of forum and jurisdiction) – the applicable choice of forum and jurisdiction will be the Republic of Ireland.
For the purpose of Annex I of the Standard Contractual Clauses, Part A of Schedule 1 contains the specifications regarding the parties, Part B of Schedule 1 contains the description of transfer for Module Two and Module Three, and Part C of Schedule 1 contains the competent supervisory authority.
Additional elections for the purposes of Module Two and Module Three of the Standard Contractual Clauses:
Clause 9 (Use of subprocessors) – Option 2 (General written authorization) will apply.
B. UK Addendum
This UK Addendum will apply to any processing of Customer Personal Data that is subject to the UK GDPR or both the UK GDPR and the GDPR. For the purposes of this UK Addendum:
“Approved Addendum” means the template addendum, version B.1.0 issued by the UK Information Commissioner under S119A(1) Data Protection Act 2018 and laid before the UK Parliament on 2 February 2022, as it may be revised according to Section 18 of the Mandatory Clauses.
“UK GDPR” means Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 as it forms part of the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by virtue of Section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and as amended by the Data Protection, Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
“Mandatory Clauses” means “Part 2: Mandatory Clauses” of the Approved Addendum.
With respect to any transfers of Customer Personal Data falling within the scope of the UK GDPR from Customer (as data exporter) to StepFun (as data importer):
to the extent necessary under Applicable Data Protection Law, the Approved Addendum as further specified in this UK Addendum of this Schedule 2 will be incorporated into and form part of this DPA;
for the purposes of Table 1 of Part 1 of the Approved Addendum, the parties’ details are as set out in Part A of Schedule 1;
for the purposes of Table 2 of Part 1 of the Approved Addendum, the version of the Approved EU SCCs as set out in the EU SCCs of this Schedule 2 including the Appendix Information are the selected SCCs; and
for the purposes of Table 4 of Part 1 of the Approved Addendum, StepFun (as data importer) may end the Approved Addendum.
C. Swiss Addendum
This Swiss Addendum will apply to any processing of Customer Personal Data that is subject to Swiss Data Protection Laws (as defined below) or to both Swiss Data Protection Laws and the GDPR.
Interpretation of this Addendum
Where this Addendum uses terms that are defined in the Standard Contractual Clauses, those terms will have the same meaning as in the Standard Contractual Clauses. In addition, the following terms have the following meanings:
This “Addendum” means this Addendum to the Clauses.
“Clauses” means the Standard Contractual Clauses as further specified in this Schedule.
“Swiss Data Protection Laws” means The Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection of 19 June 1992 and the Swiss Ordinance to the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection of 14 June 1993, and any new or revised version of these laws that may enter into force from time to time.
This Addendum will be read and interpreted in the light of the provisions of Swiss Data Protection Laws, and so that if fulfills the intention for it to provide the appropriate safeguards as required by Article 46 GDPR and/or Article 6(2)(a) of the Swiss Data Protection Laws, as the case may be.
This Addendum will not be interpreted in a way that conflicts with rights and obligations provided for in Swiss Data Protection Laws.
Any references to legislation (or specific provisions of legislation) means that legislation (or specific provision) as it may change over time. This includes where that legislation (or specific provision) has been consolidated, re-enacted and/or replaced after this Addendum has been entered into.
In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this Addendum and the provisions of the Clauses or other related agreements between the parties, existing at the time this Addendum is agreed or entered into thereafter, the provisions which provide the most protection to data subjects will prevail.
Incorporation of the Clauses
In relation to any processing of personal data subject to Swiss Data Protection Laws or to both Swiss Data Protection Laws and the GDPR, this Addendum amends the DPA the Standard Contractual Clauses to the extent necessary so they operate:
for transfers made by the data exporter to the data importer, to the extent that Swiss Data Protection Laws or Swiss Data Protection Laws and the GDPR apply to the data exporter’s processing when making that transfer; and
to provide appropriate safeguards for the transfers in accordance with Article 46 of the GDPR and/or Article 6(2)(a) of the Swiss Data Protection Laws, as the case may be.
To the extent that any processing of personal data is exclusively subject to Swiss Data Protection Laws, the amendments to the DPA including the SCCs, as further specified in this Schedule and as required by Section 3(a) of this Swiss Addendum, include (without limitation):
References to the “Clauses” or the “SCCs” mean this Swiss Addendum as it amends the SCCs.
Clause 6 Description of the transfer(s) is replaced with: “The details of the transfer(s), and in particular the categories of personal data that are transferred and the purpose(s) for which they are transferred, are those specified in Schedule 1 of this DPA where Swiss Data Protection Laws apply to the data exporter’s processing when making that transfer.”
References to “Regulation (EU) 2016/679” or “that Regulation” or “GDPR” are replaced by “Swiss Data Protection Laws” and references to specific Article(s) of “Regulation (EU) 2016/679” or “GDPR” are replaced with the equivalent Article or Section of Swiss Data Protection Laws to the extent applicable.
References to Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 are removed.
References to the “European Union”, “Union”, “EU” and “EU Member State” are all replaced with “Switzerland”.
Clause 13(a) and Part C of Annex I are not used; the “competent supervisory authority” is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (the “FDPIC”) insofar as the transfers are governed by Swiss Data Protection Laws;
Clause 17 is replaced to state: “These Clauses are governed by the laws of Switzerland insofar as the transfers are governed by Swiss Data Protection Laws”.
Clause 18 is replaced to state: “Any dispute arising from these Clauses relating to Swiss Data Protection Laws will be resolved by the courts of Switzerland. A data subject may also bring legal proceedings against the data exporter and/or data importer before the courts of Switzerland in which he/she has his/her habitual residence. The parties agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of such courts.”
Until the entry into force of the revised Swiss Data Protection Laws, the Clauses will also protect the personal data of legal entities and legal entities will receive the same protection under the Clauses as natural persons.
To the extent that any processing of personal data is subject to both Swiss Data Protection Laws and the GDPR, the DPA (including the Clauses as further specified in this Schedule) will apply (i) as is and (ii) additionally, to the extent that a transfer is subject to Swiss Data Protection Laws, as amended by Sections 1 and 3 of this Swiss Addendum, with the sole exception that Clause 17 of the SCCs will not be replaced as stipulated under Section 3(b)(vii) of this Swiss Addendum.
Customer warrants that it and/or Customer Affiliates have made any notifications to the FDPIC which are required under Swiss Data Protection Laws.