Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Widgeter.io (the "Platform"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we handle your information. This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have regarding your data.

This policy applies to information we collect through the Widgeter.io website and our affiliated sites (collectively, the "Sites").

By using our Platform, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide you with a functional and social experience on our Platform.

A. Information You Provide Directly:

• Account Information: When you register, we may collect your phone number, email address, a username, and a password. Your email is used for authentication and essential communications.
• Profile Information: You may choose to add a profile photo, a biographical description, your location, and other details to your public profile.
• User Content: This includes all content you post on the Platform, such as descriptions of your electronics projects, device data, schematics, code, comments, messages to other users, and any other information you share publicly or privately.
• Contact Information: If you contact us for support, we collect your email address and the content of your message.

B. Information Collected Automatically:

• Device and Log Information: We may automatically collect information about your device and how you interact with our Sites, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and the time and date of your visits. This helps us with security and analytics.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to keep you logged in, remember your preferences, and understand how our services are used. You can control cookie settings through your browser.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Maintain the Service: To create your account, allow you to log in, and enable the core functions of the Platform.
• To Enable Social Features: To allow you to follow other users, be followed by others, and to share your device data, projects, and posts with other users as you direct.
• To Communicate with You: To send you essential service-related announcements (e.g., security updates, changes to our terms) and to respond to your support requests.
• To Improve and Secure the Platform: To analyze usage trends, troubleshoot issues, and protect against fraud, abuse, or security threats.
• For Legal Compliance: To comply with our legal obligations and enforce our terms of service.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (For EEA/UK Users)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK, we process your personal data on the following legal bases:

• Performance of a Contract: Processing is necessary to provide you with the services you signed up for.
• Consent: For certain non-essential communications or data collection, we will ask for your explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time.
• Legitimate Interests: We process data for our legitimate interests in improving our service, ensuring security, and promoting our Platform, provided these interests are not overridden by your rights.

5. How We Share Your Information

We are not in the business of selling your data. We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• With Other Users: Your profile information (username, photo, description, location) and all User Content you post are shared with other users on the Platform according to your privacy settings and the social nature of the service (e.g., public posts are visible to all, followers see your activity).
• With Service Providers: We use trusted third-party vendors to help us operate our Platform (e.g., cloud hosting providers, email delivery services, analytics). These partners are contractually bound to handle your data securely and only on our instructions.
• For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, to protect our rights or the safety of our users, or in connection with a business transfer like a merger or acquisition.

6. Your Choices and Rights

You have significant control over your personal data:

• Access and Update: You can access and update your profile information (email, photo, description, location) directly through your account settings.
• Deletion: You can delete the content you have posted. You can also request the deletion of your entire account by contacting us.
• Communication Preferences: You can opt-out of non-essential marketing emails by using the "unsubscribe" link in those emails. You cannot opt-out of service-related emails.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal data from our active databases, but may retain certain log data for a longer period for legal, security, and operational reasons.

8. Data Security

We take the security of your data seriously. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. This includes using encryption (HTTPS/SSL) for data in transit and secure practices for data at rest.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. International Data Transfers

Your data is processed and stored on servers located in the United States. If you are accessing our Platform from outside the United States, please be aware that your data will be transferred to and processed in the United States, whose data protection laws may differ from those of your country.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Platform is not intended for children under the age of 16 (or a higher age in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with data, please contact us, and we will delete it.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We may also notify you via email or a prominent notice on our Platform.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact us at: