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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 29, 2024

1. Introduction

AI for a Buck ("we", "our", or "the Service") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our Service. We keep things simple: we collect minimal data and don't sell your information to anyone.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Payment Information

When you make a payment, we collect:

  • Transaction ID (from Stripe)
  • Payment amount and timestamp
  • Session ID (a random identifier)

Important: We do NOT store your credit card information. All payment processing is handled securely by Stripe. We never see your full card details.

2.2 Usage Information

We collect:

  • Model selection (which AI model you chose)
  • Token usage (how many tokens were consumed)
  • Cost per request (for budget tracking)
  • Timestamp of each request

2.3 Chat Messages

Client-Side Only: Your chat messages are stored ONLY in your browser's localStorage. We do NOT store your messages on our servers. When you close your browser or clear your data, your messages are permanently deleted.

However, your messages ARE sent to third-party AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic) to generate responses. Please refer to their privacy policies:

2.4 Technical Information

We automatically collect:

  • IP address (for fraud prevention and debugging)
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Timestamp of access

3. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

  • Process payments and track your budget
  • Send your messages to AI providers for generating responses
  • Monitor service performance and fix bugs
  • Prevent fraud and abuse
  • Comply with legal obligations

We do NOT:

  • Sell your data to third parties
  • Use your messages to train our own models
  • Share your data for advertising purposes
  • Store your chat history on our servers

4. Where We Host Your Data

Our infrastructure is hosted on Hetzner Cloud with servers located in:

  • Helsinki, Finland (EU)
  • Falkenstein, Germany (EU)

All data is stored within the European Union and subject to GDPR protections.

5. Data Retention

  • Chat Messages: Stored only in your browser. Deleted when you clear your browser data or session ends.
  • Payment Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and accounting purposes (required by law).
  • Usage Logs: Retained for 90 days for debugging and analytics.
  • Session Data: Deleted after 30 days of inactivity.

6. Third-Party Services

We integrate with the following third-party services:

6.1 Stripe (Payment Processing)

All payments are processed by Stripe. Your payment information is handled according to Stripe's Privacy Policy.

6.2 AI Providers

Your messages are sent to AI providers to generate responses:

  • OpenAI: For GPT models
  • Anthropic: For Claude models

These providers process your messages according to their own privacy policies. We recommend reviewing their policies if you have privacy concerns.

6.3 Hetzner Cloud (Hosting)

Our servers are hosted on Hetzner Cloud in the EU. Data is subject to Hetzner's Privacy Policy.

7. Your Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Union, you have the following rights:

  • Right to Access: Request a copy of your data
  • Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
  • Right to Erasure: Delete your data
  • Right to Restriction: Limit how we use your data
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
  • Right to Object: Object to certain data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@aiforabuck.com.

8. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures:

  • HTTPS encryption for all data in transit
  • Secure server infrastructure with regular updates
  • No storage of credit card information
  • Kubernetes-based deployment with network isolation

However, no system is 100% secure. You use the Service at your own risk.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal cookies:

  • Session Cookie: To maintain your session (session ID only)
  • localStorage: To store your chat history locally in your browser

We do NOT use third-party tracking cookies or analytics services.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be indicated by updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, please contact us at support@aiforabuck.com.

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