Privacy Policy

1. Information We Do NOT Collect

HouzLinc is designed with privacy as a core principle. We do not collect, store, or transmit:

• Personal identification information
• Home automation device configurations
• Network information or IP addresses
• Usage analytics or telemetry
• Crash reports (unless manually submitted)
• Location data
• Contact information

2. Local Data Storage

HouzLinc stores all your home automation configuration data locally:

• Windows: Configuration files are stored in your local AppData folder
• Android: Configuration files are stored in the app's private data directory
• File Format: Data is stored in XML format, compatible with the original Houselinc format
• Access: Only HouzLinc and you have access to this data

3. Optional Microsoft OneDrive Integration

HouzLinc optionally supports storing your configuration on your personal Microsoft OneDrive:

• Entirely Optional: OneDrive integration is completely optional
• Your Account: Uses your own Microsoft OneDrive account
• Limited Scope: Only accesses the Apps/HouzLinc folder
• No Additional Access: Cannot read or modify other OneDrive files
• Microsoft's Privacy: OneDrive data is subject to Microsoft's privacy policy

4. Network Communication

HouzLinc communicates only with devices on your local network:

• Local Only: Communicates only with your Insteon Hub on your local network
• No Internet Requirement: Works without internet connection (except for OneDrive sync)
• Direct Communication: No data passes through our servers
• Hub Protocol: Uses standard Insteon Hub HTTP interface

5. Website Privacy

This website (houzlinc.com) operates with minimal data collection:

• Static Website: Hosted on Azure Static Web Apps
• No Cookies: We do not use tracking cookies
• No Analytics: We do not currently collect website analytics
• Download Tracking: We may track download statistics for app improvement

6. Third-Party Services

HouzLinc may interact with these third-party services:

• Microsoft OneDrive: Optional, subject to Microsoft's privacy policy
• GitHub: Source code hosting, issue tracking (optional)
• Azure Static Web Apps: Website hosting

These services have their own privacy policies that apply when you interact with them.

7. Data Security

We implement security measures to protect your data:

• Local Storage: Data remains on your devices under your control
• Encryption: OneDrive data is encrypted by Microsoft
• No Central Database: We don't maintain any central user database
• Open Source: Security practices are transparent and auditable

8. Children's Privacy

HouzLinc is not specifically designed for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Since we don't collect personal information from anyone, this policy applies universally.

9. Open Source Transparency

HouzLinc is open source software:

• Public Code: All source code is available on GitHub
• Audit Friendly: Anyone can review our privacy practices
• Apache License: Licensed under Apache 2.0
• Community Contributions: Improvements welcome from the community

You can view our source code at: https://github.com/Lakeside-Apps/HouzLinc

10. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time:

• Changes will be posted on this page
• The "Last updated" date will be revised
• Significant changes may be announced in release notes
• Continued use of HouzLinc constitutes acceptance of changes

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about this privacy policy:

• GitHub Issues: Open an issue for privacy-related questions
• Discussions: Join the community discussion
• Source Code: Review our practices directly in the source code

12. Legal Basis

Our privacy practices are based on:

• Data Minimization: We collect only what's necessary (which is nothing)
• User Control: You control all your data
• Transparency: Open source code provides complete transparency
• Purpose Limitation: Data is used only for device management