Privacy Policy

Introduction

MakerBuddy ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use the MakerBuddy IoT Kit products and services.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site or use our products.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Contact us through our contact form
• Subscribe to our newsletter or updates
• Participate in our community forums or GitHub repository
• Purchase products or services from us

This information may include:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)

Device and Usage Information

When you use the MakerBuddy IoT Kit and web dashboard:

• All sensor data and device control operates locally on your network
• We do not collect or transmit your sensor readings to external servers
• Your ESP32 device IP address and MAC address remain local to your network
• No internet connection is required for the dashboard to function

Website Analytics

We may collect information about your visit to our website, including:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website
• IP address (anonymized)

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Process and fulfill orders
• Send you updates about products, features and community events (with your consent)
• Improve our website, products and services
• Analyze usage patterns and optimize user experience
• Prevent fraud and ensure security
• Comply with legal obligations

Data Privacy and Local Operation

The MakerBuddy IoT Kit is designed with privacy in mind:

• Local Processing: All sensor data is processed locally on your ESP32 device
• No Cloud Dependency: The web dashboard connects directly to your device via local Wi-Fi
• No Data Collection: We do not collect, store or transmit your sensor readings or automation rules
• Offline Capable: Your IoT system works completely offline without internet access
• Your Data, Your Control: You have full control over all data generated by your device

Third-Party Services

We may use third-party service providers to assist us with:

• Payment Processing: Payment information is processed securely by third-party payment processors. We do not store your credit card details.
• Analytics: We may use services like Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website.
• Hosting: Our website is hosted by third-party hosting providers.
• Email Services: We use email service providers to send newsletters and updates.

These third parties are bound by confidentiality agreements and are only permitted to use your information for the specific services they provide to us.

Open Source and GitHub

MakerBuddy is an open-source project. When you contribute to our GitHub repository:

• Your contributions are publicly visible under your GitHub username
• Code contributions are subject to GPL, PCB design contributions to CC BY-SA
• GitHub's own privacy policy applies to your interactions on their platform

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/SSL)
• Secure storage practices
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Types of cookies we may use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Children's Privacy

While the MakerBuddy IoT Kit is designed for educational purposes and suitable for students aged 10 and above, our services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this privacy policy.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Your continued use of our website and services after any modifications indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Email: Via our contact form
• GitHub: github.com/MakerBuddy
• Social Media: Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube