Privacy Policy

Last Updated: June 21, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how GNE Home Automation ("we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use our mobile application and accompanying IoT hardware (collectively, the "Service"). By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Definitions

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:

Account means a unique account created for you to access our Service and securely link your IoT devices.
Application refers to GNE Home Automation, the Android software program provided by us.
Hardware refers to the custom ESP32-based switchboards and sensors designed to operate with the Application.
Company (referred to as "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our") refers to the Department of ECE, GNDEC, Ludhiana - 141006, India.
Service refers to the Application and Hardware integration.
You means the individual accessing or using the Service.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

To securely operate your smart home environment, we require you to register an Account. The personally identifiable information we collect is limited to:

Email address
First name and last name
Account password (encrypted via Firebase Authentication)

2.2 Device Permissions & Location Data

Important: GNE Home Automation requires access to your device's Location permissions (Coarse/Fine).

This permission is strictly required by the Android operating system to scan for nearby WiFi networks during the initial configuration of your IoT Hardware. We do not track, store, or share your physical GPS location. Once your hardware is successfully connected to your home network, the location permission is no longer actively utilized.

2.3 IoT Telemetry & Usage Data

To provide real-time dashboard synchronization, the Service collects telemetry data from your paired Hardware. This includes:

Hardware identification numbers (MAC addresses/Device IDs)
Sensor readings (e.g., temperature, humidity, power consumption)
Actuator states (e.g., whether a specific light or fan is ON or OFF)
Local WiFi network names (SSID) required to provision the hardware. Note: Your home WiFi password is sent directly to the ESP32 hardware via a local connection and is never uploaded or stored on our remote servers.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information exclusively to operate and maintain the IoT Service. Purposes include:

To provide and maintain our Service: Ensuring real-time synchronization between your smartphone and your physical appliances.
To manage your Account: Securing your hardware from unauthorized access.
To execute Schedules: Processing your automated routines and appliance timers.
For troubleshooting: Diagnosing connectivity issues between the app, Firebase, and the ESP32 hardware.

4. Third-Party Services

We utilize Google Firebase (Authentication and Realtime Database) to provide the secure cloud infrastructure required to operate the Service remotely. Firebase may collect basic device diagnostic data to ensure stability. We do not integrate advertising SDKs (such as AdMob) and we do not sell your personal or telemetry data to third parties.

5. Data Retention & Account Deletion

We retain your Personal Data and device configurations only for as long as your Account remains active. You maintain full control over your data.

How to delete your data: You may permanently delete your account, paired devices, and telemetry history at any time directly through the Application by navigating to Profile > Delete Account. Upon confirmation, all associated data is immediately and permanently purged from our Firebase databases.

6. Data Security

The security of your smart home is our highest priority. We implement industry-standard encryption for both data in transit (via HTTPS/WSS) and data at rest. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your Account credentials and ensuring your home WiFi network is secure.

7. Safety Disclaimer

The Service is designed for residential automation and convenience. It is not certified for, and should not be used in, critical safety, medical, or life-support applications. We assume no liability for damages or electrical faults resulting from improper hardware installation, usage exceeding appliance ratings, or internet outages.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect structural changes in the app or hardware capabilities. We will notify you of any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, require technical support, or need assistance with your hardware configuration, please contact us:

Email: dshathan@duck.com

Address: Department of ECE, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), Ludhiana - 141006, Punjab, India

Developer: Er. Daljit Singh

By using GNE Home Automation, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.