Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 27, 2026

Camera Hound ("we", "us", "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through this website and how the Camera Hound application handles data on your own hardware.

1. What This Policy Covers

This policy covers two separate contexts:

  • This website (the marketing and purchase site you are currently viewing).
  • The Camera Hound application (the self-hosted software you install on your own server after purchase).

2. Website — Information We Collect

2.1 Purchase Information

When you purchase Camera Hound, payment is processed by Lemon Squeezy (our Merchant of Record). We do not directly collect or store your credit card number. Lemon Squeezy collects your name, email address, billing address, and payment details to process your order. Their handling of your data is governed by the Lemon Squeezy Privacy Policy.

We receive your name, email address, and order details from Lemon Squeezy to deliver your purchase (license key and download access).

2.2 Cookies

This website itself does not set cookies. However, the Lemon Squeezy checkout overlay (lemon.js) may set cookies for checkout functionality and fraud prevention. If you do not interact with the checkout, no cookies are set.

2.3 Analytics

We do not currently use any analytics or tracking services on this website. No data about your visit is collected or transmitted to third parties by us.

2.4 Server Logs

Our web server may record standard access logs (IP address, requested URL, timestamp, browser user-agent). These logs are used solely for security monitoring and troubleshooting and are not shared with third parties.

3. Camera Hound Application — Data Handling

3.1 Local Processing Only

The Camera Hound application runs entirely on your own hardware (Synology NAS, Docker host, or server). All data stays on your device. Specifically:

  • Camera images and video frames are processed locally and never transmitted to us.
  • Face recognition models run on your hardware. Reference photos and face embeddings are stored locally.
  • Detection events, presence logs, and daily reports are stored in a local SQLite database.
  • No telemetry, usage data, or crash reports are sent to Camera Hound or any third party.

3.2 Third-Party API Connections

The application connects to third-party services that you configure:

  • Ring (Amazon): Camera Hound connects to Ring's servers using your Ring account credentials to retrieve camera snapshots. Data exchanged is between your server and Ring's API.
  • Google Nest (Device Access API): Camera Hound connects to Google's SDM API using your OAuth credentials to retrieve camera streams. Data exchanged is between your server and Google's API.
  • Ollama (optional): If configured, the application sends image data to your Ollama server for vision analysis. This is a connection between your own servers.

We do not have access to your Ring, Nest, or Ollama credentials or the data exchanged between your server and these services.

3.3 Biometric Data

The application uses face recognition technology to identify known people. Face embeddings (mathematical representations of facial features) are generated and stored locally on your device. This data is never transmitted off your device by the application. You are responsible for compliance with local biometric privacy laws (such as BIPA in Illinois or CCPA in California) regarding any persons whose faces are processed by the application.

3.4 Email Reports

If you enable daily email reports, the application sends summary data (detection counts, names of detected people, room activity) via the SMTP server you configure. This email transmission is initiated by your server using your email credentials.

4. Data Retention

  • Website: Purchase records are retained by Lemon Squeezy per their retention policy. We retain your email and order information for license management and support.
  • Application: All data retention is under your control. You can delete detection events, reference photos, and the database at any time.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete personal data we hold about you (limited to purchase/email records from Lemon Squeezy). To exercise these rights, contact us at camhoundsup@gmail.com.

For data processed by the Camera Hound application on your own hardware, you have full control — you can view, export, or delete any data at any time.

6. Children's Privacy

This website and the Software are not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the website or Software after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

8. Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy, contact camhoundsup@gmail.com.