1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our soil monitoring system and related services (the “Service”), provided through ippeul.com and our associated mobile application. By using the Service, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect and Why

We collect the following types of information to deliver our core functionality, improve our services, and provide a personalized user experience:

🔹 User Information

  • Nickname: To identify you within the app, especially in features like device sharing or message boards.

  • Email address: For user authentication, account recovery, device ownership verification, and service-related communication.

  • Timezone: To correctly timestamp sensor data, alerts, and logs.

  • Country: For legal compliance, regional analytics, and location-based customization.

  • Preferred language: To localize the app’s interface and communications.

  • Join time: To analyze service adoption trends and account lifecycle management.

🔹 Device Information

  • Device name (user-defined): To help you identify and manage your devices.

  • Device serial ID: To uniquely identify each hardware unit for maintenance, syncing, and access control.

  • MAC address: For secure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication and to authenticate device identity.

  • Device model name: For diagnosing issues and ensuring compatibility with firmware updates.

  • Device registration time: To track onboarding behavior and system configuration timelines.

  • Wi-Fi connection status: To manage cloud communication status and determine when to retry data sync or push alerts.

🔹 Sensor Data

Collected automatically from your registered monitoring devices:

  • Temperature, humidity, soil moisture, illumination, battery voltage: These are the primary environmental metrics used for plant care recommendations, historical trend analysis, and alarm notifications.

🔹 Media and Interaction Data

  • Plant images (optional): Uploaded by users to visually label or document their plants, helping in monitoring and sharing.

  • Firebase Messaging timestamps: Used to verify delivery of push notifications and improve real-time communication reliability.

We do not collect or request sensitive personal information such as payment data, national ID numbers, or health records.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data only to provide and improve our services. Specifically, we use it to:

  • Enable account creation, authentication, and secure access to your devices.

  • Register and link your devices to your account for real-time monitoring.

  • Log and visualize environmental data such as soil moisture and temperature.

  • Notify users of important plant care actions via alerts or push notifications.

  • Adapt user experience based on preferences like language or region.

  • Enhance diagnostic capabilities for technical support and maintenance.

  • Secure the service by preventing unauthorized access through device verification.

We do not sell, lease, or rent your data to third parties. All usage is confined to operational and product enhancement purposes.

4. Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with trusted third-party providers who help us operate and improve the Service. These include:

  • Cloud infrastructure providers (e.g., Firebase, Google Cloud Platform) for hosting, database, and messaging operations.

  • Analytics and debugging tools (e.g., Firebase Crashlytics) to ensure a stable user experience.

These partners are bound by data protection agreements and are not allowed to use your data for any purpose outside of what we define.

5. Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as long as is necessary to provide you with the Service. If you wish to delete your account or request removal of your data, please contact us at the address provided below.

Upon request, we will delete or anonymize your personal data, unless retention is legally required (e.g., for regulatory or dispute resolution purposes).

6. Your Rights

Depending on your region (e.g., European Union, California), you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your data.

  • Correct or update inaccurate data.

  • Delete your account and associated data.

  • Object to or restrict specific data processing activities.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in Section 10.

7. Security

We implement technical and organizational safeguards to protect your personal data, including encryption of data in transit and at rest, access restrictions, and regular security reviews.

However, no system is perfectly secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and keep your login credentials confidential.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected such data, we will delete it immediately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are significant, we will notify you through the app or via email. The updated policy will be available at the same URL and will take effect upon publication.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at:

Email: [digitalforger73@gmail.com]
Effective Date: [May 13, 2025]