Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to AudioScope ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at audioscope.netlify.app. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the site.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide: AudioScope does not require account creation, registration, or login. The only information you submit is the audio component names you type into the comparison tool. These queries are transmitted to our secure serverless function solely to retrieve specification data and are not stored after the request is fulfilled.

Automatically Collected Information: When you visit AudioScope, certain information may be collected automatically by our hosting provider (Netlify) and third-party services, including: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and approximate geographic location derived from IP address. This information is used for analytics, performance monitoring, and site security.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

AudioScope and its third-party service providers use cookies and similar tracking technologies. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functionality. Cannot be disabled.
• Analytics Cookies: Used to understand how visitors interact with our site (e.g. Google Analytics, if enabled). Data is aggregated and anonymized.
• Advertising Cookies: Used by Google AdSense to serve relevant advertisements. These may be based on your visit history on this and other websites. See Section 4 below for details and opt-out options.

4. Google AdSense and Advertising

AudioScope displays advertisements served by Google AdSense (publisher ID: ca-pub-8677522350792212). Google AdSense uses cookies and similar technologies to display ads based on your prior visits to this website and other sites across the internet. This is known as interest-based or personalized advertising.

Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to AudioScope and/or other sites on the internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising in the following ways:

• Visit Google's Ad Settings
• Visit www.aboutads.info/choices/ (US)
• Visit www.youronlinechoices.com (EU/UK)

For more information about how Google uses data from sites that use Google services, visit Google's Privacy & Terms. For general information about Google advertising, visit Google Ads Safety.

5. Third-Party Services

AudioScope integrates the following third-party services, each with their own privacy practices:

• Anthropic Claude AI — Powers the component specification retrieval. Queries (component names and category) are sent to Anthropic's API. No personal information is included in these queries. See Anthropic's Privacy Policy.
• Google AdSense — Delivers targeted advertising. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Fonts — Loads typography from Google's CDN. Google may log font requests. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Netlify — Hosts the website and serverless functions. Netlify may collect server access logs. See Netlify's Privacy Policy.
• Unsplash — Provides royalty-free images. Images are served directly from Unsplash's CDN. See Unsplash's Privacy Policy.

6. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Process your audio component comparison requests
• Improve and optimize our website's performance and usability
• Analyze aggregate usage patterns
• Detect, prevent, and respond to fraud, abuse, or security incidents
• Comply with applicable legal obligations
• Display relevant advertising through Google AdSense

7. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With third-party service providers (Anthropic, Google, Netlify) necessary to operate the site, as described in Section 5.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Protection of Rights: When necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of AudioScope, our users, or the public.

8. Data Retention

AudioScope does not store user-submitted queries or personal data on our own servers beyond standard server logs. Component comparison queries are processed in real time and not retained after the API response is delivered. Netlify server access logs are retained according to Netlify's standard data retention policies (typically 30 days).

9. Children's Privacy

AudioScope is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or under 16 in the European Economic Area). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete that information.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, which may include:

• Access: The right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: The right to request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Deletion: The right to request deletion of your personal information.
• Objection: The right to object to processing of your personal information.
• Portability: The right to receive your personal information in a portable format.
• Opt-out of Advertising: The right to opt out of personalized advertising (see Section 4).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 13.

11. California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). AudioScope does not sell personal information. You have the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete personal information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights. To submit a CCPA request, contact us at the address below.

12. International Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your jurisdiction, including the United States. We rely on legitimate interests and, where required, consent as the legal basis for processing your data. You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. We will post any changes on this page and update the "Last updated" date at the top. Your continued use of AudioScope after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

AudioScope
Email: contact@audioscope.example.com
Website: audioscope.netlify.app