Ripplex is a client application, not a web service.

Address books or contact managers are provided as part of many web related services such as "Yahoo! Mail", "gmail, Skype, Facebook, MySpace and Plaxo.

One thing common to all such services is that the information you entered and information your friends sent are put on the service provider's server. All information is under the service company's control, all though in some cases, it may be encrypted during transmission. Such information may be used for things like targeted advertisement.

On the other hand, Ripplex is a client application and all of your information is stored in your computer, not in Ripplex server. You set the disclosure seetings for each recipient and the recipients can then access only the information disclosed to them by you. Even Ripplex Inc. can not access your information except for your registered email address.