Privacy Policy

What we collect

• Basic analytics. We use Google Analytics to measure aggregate traffic — pages viewed, approximate region, device type, and referring links. This helps us see which content is useful. Analytics data is processed by Google under its own terms.
• Server logs. Like any website, our servers automatically record standard request data (IP address, browser/user-agent, requested URL, timestamp) for security and troubleshooting. These logs rotate and are not used to build advertising profiles.
• Information you send us. If you email us or use a contact/request link, we receive whatever you choose to include (for example your name and message) so we can reply.
• Trip packet account. If you create an account to receive your trip packet, we store your email address, an optional name, a salted hash of your password (never the password itself) and the trip you saved (places, dates and flight details). We use your email address to send a confirmation link when you sign up and a reset link if you ask for one, through an email-sending service that handles only those messages. We do not collect passport numbers or payment details. You can delete the account, its sessions and the saved trip yourself from your packet page, or by writing to us.

What we don't do

• We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
• We do not require registration to browse. The only login is the optional trip packet account described above.
• We do not knowingly collect information from children.

Cookies & local storage

The site uses cookies and your browser’s local storage for two purposes: (1) Google Analytics measurement, and (2) remembering your own preferences and saved items (for example a trip you bookmark) on your device. If you sign in to your trip packet we also set one session cookie (ca_acct) that keeps you signed in for 30 days; it is not used for advertising. Preference/saved data stays in your browser. You can clear it any time through your browser settings, and you can block analytics cookies with your browser or an extension.

Hosting & infrastructure

The atlas is hosted on DigitalOcean cloud infrastructure. The website, its database, and its server logs all run on DigitalOcean servers operated by us — we do not spread your data across a patchwork of outside platforms. DigitalOcean processes data on our behalf as our hosting provider under its own security and privacy terms.

Third-party services

Beyond hosting, we rely on a small number of external services to deliver the atlas — including Google Analytics (measurement), map and imagery providers, and open-data sources we cite on each page. When you follow an outbound link to a booking site, airline, agency, or government page, that destination has its own privacy policy which governs your visit there. We are an information atlas and do not process bookings or payments ourselves.

Data retention

Server logs are retained on a short, rotating schedule for security and diagnostics. Analytics data is retained under Google Analytics’ configured retention period. Emails you send are kept only as long as needed to handle your request.

Your choices

You can browse the atlas without giving us any personal information. To limit analytics, use your browser’s privacy controls or a tracker-blocking extension. To ask what we may hold from an email you sent, or to request its deletion, contact us at housetechplus@gmail.com.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the site evolves. Material changes will be reflected in the “Last updated” date above.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Email housetechplus@gmail.com or see our Contact page.