Privacy Policy

Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to information we process when you:

• Browse HydraScales
• Create or use an account
• Contribute content (including knowledge base edits)
• Participate in Conversations
• Publish Inspirations/Builds
• Contact us, or otherwise interact with the Service

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party sites or services you may access through links on HydraScales.

What we collect

A. Information you provide

Depending on how you use the Service, we may collect:

Account information

• Email address (or other identifier you use to sign up)
• Username/display name
• Password (stored in hashed form)
• Account preferences and settings

Profile information (optional)

• Profile fields you choose to fill out (e.g., bio, location, social links, tank details)
• Profile images/avatars you upload

User Content you submit

• Knowledge base edits and revision history
• Posts, comments, replies, and messages (where available)
• Inspirations/Builds, photos, captions, and related metadata
• Reports, flags, requests, or feedback you submit

Communications

• Messages you send to us (e.g., support requests, issue reports, feature requests)
• Information you include in those communications

B. Information collected automatically

When you access the Service, we may automatically collect:

Device and usage information

• IP address
• Browser type, device type, operating system
• Referring/exit pages, timestamps
• Pages viewed, interactions, navigation paths
• Error logs and diagnostic data

Cookies and similar technologies

We may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in (session/authentication)
• Remember preferences
• Protect against abuse and fraud
• Support site functionality and performance

We do not intentionally use the Service to collect payment information at this time.

C. Information from third parties

If we integrate third-party services (e.g., for security, hosting, analytics, or account features), those services may provide us information necessary to operate the Service. We only use such information consistent with this Privacy Policy.

Public content and visibility

Some parts of the Service are designed to be public.

• Contributions to the knowledge base, public Conversations, public comments, and Inspirations/Builds may be visible to other users and may be indexed by search engines.
• Your username/display name may be shown with your contributions.
• Profile information may be visible depending on your settings and how the Service is configured.

How we use information

We use information we collect to:

Provide and operate the Service

• Create and manage accounts
• Enable posting, editing, revisions, and community participation
• Display your content and profile as configured

Improve and maintain the Service

• Monitor performance, troubleshoot bugs, and optimize usability
• Understand which features are being used and how to improve them
• Develop new features and functionality

Protect the community and platform

• Detect, prevent, and investigate fraud, scams, spam, abuse, security incidents, and policy violations
• Enforce our Terms of Service and Community Rules
• Maintain integrity of revisions and content history

Communicate with you

• Respond to support requests and inquiries
• Send important service-related messages (e.g., security notices, policy updates)

Comply with law

• Meet legal, regulatory, and compliance obligations
• Respond to lawful requests and legal process

How we share information

We may share information in these situations:

A. Service providers

We may share information with vendors that help us operate the Service, such as:

• Hosting and infrastructure providers
• Database, storage, and content delivery services
• Monitoring and security services
• Email delivery providers (if/when enabled)

These providers may process information only to provide services to us and are expected to protect it.

B. Public and community visibility

Information you choose to post publicly (including knowledge base contributions and public posts) will be visible to others.

C. Legal and safety

We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of HydraScales, users, or the public
• Investigate or prevent fraud, abuse, or security threats

D. Business changes

If HydraScales is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will take reasonable steps to ensure continued protection of information.

Cookies and your choices

You can control cookies through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some features (like staying logged in) may not work properly.

Depending on the Service configuration, we may use limited analytics or security technologies that rely on cookies or similar methods to function.

Data retention

We keep information for as long as necessary to:

• Operate the Service
• Maintain security and prevent abuse
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

We may retain limited information in backups and logs for a period of time after deletion requests for security, integrity, and operational reasons.

Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect information. However, no system is perfectly secure. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and using strong passwords.

Your rights and controls

Depending on where you live and how the Service is provided, you may have rights regarding your personal information. These may include the right to:

• Access information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete certain information
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Receive a copy of your information (data portability), where applicable

You can also:

• Update your account and profile information (where available)
• Delete or edit content you control (subject to revision integrity and community policies)
• Close your account (where available)

To make a request, contact us. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

U.S. privacy notices

If you are a resident of certain U.S. states, you may have additional rights (such as the right to know, delete, or correct personal information). HydraScales does not sell personal information.

If you want to exercise applicable rights, contact us.

International users and cross-border transfers

The Service is intended for users located in the United States. If you access the Service from outside the U.S., your information may be processed and stored in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

Children's privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us personal information, contact us and we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

Third-party links

The Service may link to third-party sites or services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Your interactions with those third parties are governed by their own policies.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.