Purpose
The NATO Interoperable Instant Communication Environment (NI2CE) messenger service (Service) is intended to be used for instant non-classified communication for NATO related professional activities. These Terms of Use define the conditions for use of NI2CE, in order to ensure the responsible and secure use of the NI2CE, including on the User’s personal electronic devices (PEDs).
Creating a NI2CE account or otherwise using the NI2CE Service means that the User agrees to these Terms of Use. If the User does not agree to these Terms of Use, then the User must not use the Service or access any content of NI2CE.
These Terms of Use constitute an agreement between the User and NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (NATO HQ SACT), address situated in 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Scope
These Terms of Use apply to all Users that have installed NI2CE, created an account or use the NI2CE, including on their PEDs.
The following requirements should be satisfied by all NI2CE Users:
– To be 18 years or older.
– Have access to a NATO affiliated email address (*.nato.int email domains)
– Have access to a browser with internet access
– Have access to a PED with internet access (if User opts to use the mobile application on Android or iOS).
NI2CE Use
The use of NI2CE includes the communication (instant messaging), file exchange (including photos, videos and contact information), polls, location sharing, AI text generation, AI image generation, video and voice calling, functionalities and features. NATO HQ SACT will ensure that:
1. The Service is accessible to the User, although it is not guaranteed for how long the Service will be delivered. The Service may experience temporary interruptions due to technical difficulties, maintenance or testing, or updates, or be terminated in full.
2. Measures of safety and security are in place as deemed relevant by HQ SACT.
3. The needed updates are performed.
4. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions integrated in NI2CE are in line with NATO Principles of Responsible Use for AI https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_187617.htm
Definitions
Personal Electronic Device (PED) – Any device owned by a eligible User for personal use, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, or virtual reality devices.
NATO Data – Data that originates from or is produced by NATO entities, including, but not limited to personal data, classified data, and proprietary data subject to intellectual property limitations.
Third Party Services – Services, integrated in NI2CE that are originating from third party software, products, or services, which might result in output for the User or collected data analysis needed for service development and improvement. Third Party Services and their output are subject to third party’s own terms, and HQ SACT is not responsible for them.
NI2CE User Commitments
1. Only up to non-classified and NATO UNCLASSIFIED (NU) information shall be stored, processed and transmitted on the NI2CE Service.
2. The User is obliged to use NI2CE responsibly and in accordance with these User Terms, including when NI2CE is being use on the Users PED. This involves maintaining at User’s expenses required antivirus and security software, ensuring security standards, preventing unauthorized data breaches and keeping other operational requirements as applicable to HQ SACT official electronic devices issued for official use.
3. PEDs shall not be physically connected to the NATO NU Network.
4. User must not impair the intended operation of NI2CE application or hinder the provision of Service or otherwise affect the integrity of NI2CE.
5. The NI2CE username and password are for User’s personal use only and should be kept confidential. Users must not share their PIN codes for NI2CE with anyone, including family members or colleagues.
6. The User is not permitted to lend the User’s PEDs to any others, including family members.
7. The User shall not act illegally, in a fraudulent and misleading manner, including obscenely, offensively, libelously, or in pornographic, threatening, abusive, or otherwise objectionable way. The content used in NI2CE shall not constitute or encourage a criminal offense, or in any manner that would otherwise give rise to liability or violate any applicable law.
8. The User represents that he/she owns or have obtained all necessary rights to the content the User posts or shares. The User shall not post or input in the AI solution integrated in NI2CE any third party’s private or confidential information without permission or do anything that violates someone else’s rights, including intellectual property rights (e.g., copyright infringement, trademark infringement, counterfeit, or pirated goods). This includes information that could have a legal or material impact on such person, except when such use of someone else’s works is permitted under exceptions or limitations to copyright and related rights under applicable law.
9. If using or posting AI generated content, the User is obliged to clearly identify this as part of the content by including the necessary disclaimer (“the following content is AI generated:…”)
10. The User shall initiate the NI2CE account removal as foreseen below under paragraph “Removal” in case the requirements for the User under the paragraph “Scope” are no longer fulfilled.
11. The User shall not use name and logo of NI2CE, Innovation Hub or NATO HQ SACT without prior permission.
Permissions
1. The User allows the NATO HQ SACT to use the content that a User owns but has shared, uploaded or posted and which is subject to intellectual property rights limitations, i.e. issues non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works.
2. If the User uses content owned by HQ SACT (intellectual property rights vested in NATO HQ SACT) and made available by HQ SACT in NI2CE (for example, images, designs, videos, or sounds), NATO HQ SACT retains all rights to such content.
3. The output data generated by the AI solutions integrated in NI2CE shall be the ownership of NATO HQ SACT.
4. The User understands that the output data generated by AI solution in NI2CE can be inaccurate due to the probabilistic nature of machine learning. Therefore, User shall not rely on output data generated by AI solution in NI2CE as a sole source of truth or factual information, or as a substitute for professional advice and shall always evaluate the accuracy. The use of AI integrated solution in NI2CE may provide incomplete, incorrect, or offensive output data that does not represent HQ SACT or any referenced third party views.
5. The User allows the NATO HQ SACT to use the User’s name, profile picture and associated information within the NI2CE, including information about device and software usage, IP address, for the Service delivery, improvement and User’s data analytics purposes.
6. The User accepts the updates for the NI2CE application that the NATO HQ SACT regularly pushes out to the User’s PED.
7. The User allows the monitoring of the PED at all times when PED connected to NI2CE. 8. The User allows HQ SACT to inspect the PED at any time to determine if the PED contains unauthorized software and/or Classified information and/or NATO data is misused.
9. All data entered on the PED while performing official User business becomes the property of HQ SACT.
10. The process for sanitizing sensitive and Classified information from the PED may result in all data being deleted from the PED. All claims for reimbursement for any damage or destructions to the information stored on the PED or the PED itself by the User shall be waived.
Procedures
Reporting
In the event a PED is stolen or lost, or the access is compromised, the User must immediately report the incident to the NI2CE helpdesk at ni2ce@innovationhub-act.org so that the account can be blocked. The User are required to reset the PIN code as soon as possible upon compromised access or any such suspicion is revealed.
Access by Third Parties
The User is not permitted to lend their PEDs to third parties, to include family members. For the additional access protection, User shall enable the additional PIN or biometrics setting in the NI2CE application. See section “PIN codes”.
PIN Codes
NI2CE application can be protected with an additional protection for unauthorized access. The setting allows to enable additional PIN or biometrics setting and can be found in the Security & Privacy settings menu and is called “Protect Access”.
Removal
NATO HQ SACT can remove any content or information, which the User shares on the NI2CE Service in case it violates these Terms of Use, NATO policies and regulations.
When the User requests to remove content or a User account, the removal process will automatically begin no more than 30 days after the User’s request. It may take up to 90 days to delete content after the deletion process begins. The final removal might be subject to limitations, such as when the content is being used by other Users, if there are technical limitations or if NATO HQ SACT needs to retain the content for any ongoing investigation, or for security or legal purposes.
Termination
NATO HQ SACT can refuse to provide all or part of the NI2CE Service to a User at any time. Equally, NATO HQ SACT retains the right to terminate the Service at any time.
The User’s failure to comply with these Terms of Use may result in the blocking or removal of the NI2CE account.
In case a User violates NATO security policies, the ACT Office of Security will be alerted.
Liability limitation and indemnification
HQ SACT will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, or data or other losses, even if HQ SACT have been advised of the possibility of such damages. HQ SACT does not assume any liability for the PED, regardless of circumstances.
The User will indemnify and hold harmless HQ SACT, other NATO bodies and our staff members, from and against any costs, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) from third party claims arising out of or relating to the use of the NI2CE Services and Content or any violation of these Terms.
The NI2CE together with integrated AI solutions, including all content, applications, software, functions, materials, and information, is provided “as is,” “with all faults” and without any warranties of any kind, express or implied.
Acknowledgement
By accepting these Terms of Use, the User acknowledges to have read, understood, and consented to comply.
Review and Revision
These Terms of Use will be reviewed and revised regularly or as needed. HQ SACT reserves the right to make changes without further notice.
Effective Date: 16 oct 2025
Version: 1.1