LightBuddy Privacy Policy

1. Information we collect

Depending on how you use LightBuddy and our services, we may collect the following information.

Account and licence information

When you purchase, activate or manage a LightBuddy licence, we may collect information such as:

• Your name
• Email address
• Licence and entitlement information
• Licence activation and deactivation records
• Information necessary to identify an installation or device for licence management
• Purchase and transaction references

This information is used to provide and administer your LightBuddy licence and associated services.

Payment information

Payments for paid LightBuddy licences may be processed by third-party payment providers such as Stripe.

Payment card details are processed by the payment provider and are not stored directly by LightBuddy. We may receive information about a transaction, such as its status, amount, currency and transaction reference, where necessary to provide your licence and maintain appropriate business records.

Application and device information

LightBuddy may process technical information necessary to operate features such as software activation, updates and communication with connected hardware.

This may include information such as:

• Application version
• Operating system and platform
• Device or installation identifiers used for licensing
• Licence activation status
• Technical information required to diagnose errors or provide support

Show and configuration data

LightBuddy allows you to create and manage show files, fixture configurations, cue lists, palettes, effects, layouts and other lighting-control data. This information is generally created and stored as part of your use of the application. LightBuddy does not claim ownership of the show or production data you create.

Microphone and speech recognition

LightBuddy may request access to your computer’s microphone when you choose to use features involving spoken lighting instructions or speech recognition. Microphone access is only used when functionality requiring it is invoked or enabled.

Speech functionality may process audio or transcribed text in order to interpret a spoken instruction. Where third-party or operating-system speech services are involved, information may also be processed according to the privacy terms of the relevant service provider. You can choose not to use speech-related features.

Website information

When you visit the LightBuddy website, standard technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser and device type
• Pages visited
• Approximate geographic information derived from an IP address
• Referring website or search engine
• Website usage and performance information

Cookies or similar technologies may also be used where necessary for operation, analytics or other functionality. Where required by applicable law, consent will be requested before non-essential cookies are used.

2. How we use your information

We may use personal information to:

• Provide and operate LightBuddy
• Create and manage licences and entitlements
• Activate and deactivate authorised devices
• Process and confirm purchases
• Provide software downloads and updates
• Provide customer and technical support
• Respond to enquiries
• Diagnose technical problems
• Protect our services against fraud, misuse or unauthorised access
• Maintain appropriate financial and business records
• Improve LightBuddy and our services
• Meet legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell your personal information.

3. Third-party services

LightBuddy may use third-party service providers to operate parts of its services. These may include providers responsible for:

• Payment processing
• Website hosting and infrastructure
• Licence management infrastructure
• Email delivery
• Website analytics
• Software distribution
• Speech or operating-system services where applicable

These providers may process information on our behalf or under their own privacy terms, depending on the service concerned.

4. Lighting networks and connected hardware

LightBuddy can communicate with lighting equipment and software using technologies and protocols such as DMX, Art-Net, sACN, MIDI, OSC and compatible USB or serial interfaces.

Information transmitted through these interfaces is primarily lighting-control and device communication data. The exact information exchanged depends on the hardware, software and configuration selected by the user.

5. Data retention

Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including providing licences and services, maintaining required business and financial records, resolving disputes and complying with legal obligations.

Different categories of information may therefore be retained for different periods.

6. Data security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or loss.

However, no electronic storage or internet transmission system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

7. International data processing

Some service providers used by LightBuddy may process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, appropriate safeguards will be used where required by applicable data protection law.

8. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

Under UK data protection law, these may include the right to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances
• Restrict or object to certain processing
• Request transfer of certain information
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Some information may need to be retained where required for legal, financial, fraud-prevention or contractual purposes.

9. Children’s privacy

LightBuddy is not specifically designed to collect personal information from children.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child in circumstances where appropriate consent was required but not obtained, we will take reasonable steps to address the situation.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to LightBuddy, our services, third-party providers or legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on the LightBuddy website with an updated revision date.

11. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal information or your data protection rights, please contact: