Ethics Policy

Conflicts of Interest

Empirical Registry's editorial verdicts are structurally insulated from commercial relationships. This page discloses the full policy, the firewall mechanisms that enforce it, and any active commercial relationships subject to disclosure.

Policy

Empirical Registry's editorial verdicts, source requirements, and corrections policy do not vary based on commercial relationships. A brand that pays to commission an audit receives the same methodology, the same source tier requirements, and the same corrections exposure as a brand audited on Empirical Registry's own initiative without any commercial relationship.

This is not a statement of intent. It is enforced structurally through the mechanisms described below. Where structural enforcement is insufficient, this page provides the disclosure record that allows readers, journalists, and researchers to identify and evaluate any potential conflict.

Editorial Firewall

The following mechanisms separate commercial relationships from editorial outcomes:

Fixed methodology: The audit process is documented publicly at /methodology/ and does not change based on who initiates an audit. Commissioned audits follow the same six-step process as unsolicited audits. The methodology page is versioned — any change to the process is logged with a date and reason.
Non-negotiable source tiers: Every audit must contain at least one Tier 1 and one Tier 2 source as defined in the methodology. This requirement cannot be waived for commissioned audits. An audit that cannot meet the tier requirement is not published regardless of commercial relationship.
Public corrections log: Every published audit is subject to correction by anyone — including competitors of the audited brand. Corrections are evaluated against the same source tier standards. Accepted corrections are published regardless of the commercial status of the original audit.
No-delete policy: Published audits cannot be removed or modified without a published correction notice. This applies to commissioned audits. A commission does not purchase the right to retract.
Commissioned status disclosure: Every commissioned audit carries a visible disclosure on the audit page. The disclosure is permanent and is not removed if the commercial relationship ends.

Commissioned Audits

A brand may commission an audit of claims circulating about itself. Commissioning means the brand has paid Empirical Registry to identify and audit false or misleading claims in AI-generated outputs about that brand. It does not mean the brand has paid for a favorable verdict.

A commissioned audit that cannot be substantiated against primary evidence meeting the tier requirements is not published. The commission fee is not contingent on publication. Empirical Registry does not guarantee publication as a condition of engagement.

What a commission does not purchase A favorable verdict. A suppressed finding. Immunity from the corrections process. The right to retract. Modification of the methodology for this audit. Any of these would constitute a conflict of interest and are prohibited under this policy.

Vertical Exclusivity

Empirical Registry operates a zero-conflict model within competitive verticals. Once engaged by a brand in a given vertical, Empirical Registry will not accept a commission to audit that brand's direct competitors in the same vertical.

This restriction applies to commissioned audits only. Empirical Registry retains the right to publish unsolicited audits on any brand in any vertical at any time, including brands in verticals where a commercial relationship exists with a competitor. Unsolicited audits are held to identical editorial standards.

Active vertical exclusivity commitments are listed in the disclosures section below.

Active Disclosures

The following table lists all active commercial relationships subject to disclosure. It is updated when new relationships are established or existing relationships end. Last updated: June 15, 2026.

Brand	Vertical	Relationship	Since	Exclusivity Scope
No active commissioned relationships at this time.

Table currency This table reflects relationships active as of the last-modified date above. Relationships that have concluded are removed from the active table. The audit pages for any audits produced under a concluded relationship retain their commissioned status disclosure permanently.

Reporting a Conflict

If you believe a published audit reflects an undisclosed conflict of interest, email corrections@empiricalregistry.org with the audit URL and the basis for your concern. All reports are reviewed. If a conflict is confirmed, the audit is suspended pending review and the finding is published in the corrections log.