Privacy Policy for PicTiler

Last Updated: January 23, 2025

Thank you for visiting Pictiler ("we," "us," or "our"), operated by Merlinsbeard Pty Ltd. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your personal and non-personal information when you use our website located at https://pictiler.com (the "Website").

By accessing or using the Website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the practices described in this policy, please do not use the Website.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Data

Pictiler is designed to process images locally in your browser without requiring personal information. We may collect:

Email: Only if you voluntarily provide it for newsletter subscriptions, support inquiries, or when making a purchase.
Name: Only if voluntarily provided for support, communication purposes, or when making a purchase.
Payment Information: Only if you choose to make a purchase, processed securely through third-party payment providers.

We do NOT collect:
- Payment Information: While Pictiler offers free features, if you choose to make a purchase, payment processing is handled by third-party providers (such as Stripe) according to their privacy policies
- Account Information: No registration or account creation is required for basic use
- Personal Images: Your uploaded images are processed entirely in your browser and never sent to our servers

1.2 Non-Personal Data

We may use web cookies and similar technologies to collect non-personal information such as:
- IP address (for analytics and security)
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Website usage patterns and detailed interaction analytics
- Technical usage metrics (feature interactions, settings preferences, file format usage)
- Performance and error tracking data
- Local storage data for app functionality (saved locally on your device)

All usage analytics are collected in an aggregated, anonymized manner and cannot be linked to individual users unless you voluntarily provide personal information to us (such as through support requests or purchases).

1.3 Image Processing Data

IMPORTANT: All image processing occurs entirely within your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Your images:
- Are never uploaded to our servers
- Remain on your device throughout the mosaic creation process
- Are not accessible to us or any third parties
- Are automatically cleared from browser memory when you close the application

2. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect and use data for the following purposes:

- Website Analytics: To understand detailed user interaction patterns, feature adoption, and usage flows across our mosaic creation platform
- Product Development: To identify which features are most valuable and guide future feature development
- Performance Optimization: To monitor and improve the performance of our image processing and user interface
- User Experience Enhancement: To identify pain points in the user journey and optimize the mosaic creation process
- Technical Support: To respond to user inquiries and provide assistance
- Error Tracking: To identify and fix technical issues to ensure reliable service
- Security: To protect against abuse and ensure service stability

3. Data Collection Practices

We only ask for personal information when it is truly needed to provide a service to you. We collect this information by fair and lawful means, with your knowledge and consent. We will let you know why we are collecting it and how it will be used.

4. Tracking Technologies and Analytics

4.1 Facebook/Meta Pixel:
We use the Facebook/Meta Pixel, a tracking tool that collects data—such as page views and user interactions—for ad conversion tracking and analytics. This helps us measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and improve our marketing efforts. For more details on how Facebook collects and uses data, please see the Facebook Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation

4.2 Google Analytics:
We use Google Analytics (Google Ads) to track website usage, conversions, and advertising performance. Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, device information, and browsing behavior. This data helps us understand visitor behavior, measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns, and improve our services. For more information about how Google collects and uses data, please see Google's Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

4.3 DataFast Analytics:
We use DataFast, a privacy-friendly analytics tool that collects detailed, aggregated, and non-identifiable data about how you use our service. This includes:

- Page views and navigation patterns
- Feature usage and interaction patterns (image uploads, downloads, settings adjustments)
- Technical metrics (file formats, image counts, mosaic creation settings)
- User journey analytics (how you progress through the mosaic creation process)
- Performance metrics (zoom interactions, preview usage, modal interactions)
- Error tracking and recovery patterns

This comprehensive analytics data helps us:
- Understand which features are most valuable to users
- Identify areas for improvement in the user experience
- Optimize performance and fix issues
- Develop new features based on actual usage patterns

All data collected is aggregated and anonymized, and cannot be linked back to individual users unless you voluntarily provide personal information to us (such as email for support inquiries or when making a purchase). No personal information or image content is ever included in this analytics data. For more information, please review DataFast's privacy policy at https://datafa.st/.

5. Data Sharing

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

- Third-party Analytics: We use analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to understand website usage
- Image Search Services: When you use our image search feature, your search queries are sent to third-party image providers (Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay) according to their respective privacy policies
- Legal Requirements: If required by law or to protect our rights and safety

6. Data Storage and Security

- Local Processing: All image processing happens on your device - we never store your images
- Browser Storage: User preferences, mosaic creation history, and app state are stored locally in your browser using IndexedDB for your convenience. This data remains on your device and can be cleared at any time
- Server Data: We store minimal server logs and aggregated analytics data with standard security measures
- Data Retention: Analytics data is retained for up to 2 years, or as required by law. Local browser data persists until you clear it

7. Children's Privacy

Pictiler is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at the email address provided below.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:
- Use our service without providing any personal information
- Clear local browser data stored by our application
- Request deletion of any personal information we may have collected
- Opt-out of analytics tracking using browser settings, privacy tools, or ad blockers
- Contact us to request information about what aggregated data points we collect

Note: Disabling analytics tracking will not affect the core functionality of our mosaic creation service, as all image processing occurs locally in your browser.

9. Third-Party Services

Our website may integrate with third-party services:
- Image search providers (Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay)
- Analytics services (Google Analytics, Facebook/Meta Pixel, DataFast)
- Content delivery networks (CDNs)

Each service has its own privacy policy governing data collection and use.

10. International Data Transfers

Our service is operated from Australia, but our servers are located in the United States. If you are accessing our service from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

11. Updates to the Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy, you can contact us at:

Email: jake@pictiler.com
Company: Merlinsbeard Pty Ltd

For technical support or general inquiries, please use the same contact information.

By using Pictiler, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy.