Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the MLAstro mobile app (the “Application”) and the MLAstro website at https://mlastro.com (the “Website”), provided by MLAstro Ltd. (the “Service Provider”). The Application is used to control compatible OnStepX/OnStep telescope mount controllers and to calculate astronomy-related information.

Summary

The Application does not require an account, does not show third-party ads, and does not sell personal information. The Application uses Firebase Analytics to understand app usage and improve the Application. Analytics data is not used for third-party advertising.

Information the Application Uses

The Application may use the following information to provide its features:

Location. With your permission, the Application may access your device location to calculate celestial object positions, sky map orientation, visibility, rise/set times, and to compare or sync the telescope mount location. Location is used for app functionality. It is not used for advertising or tracking.
Local network information. The Application connects to telescope or mount controllers on your local Wi-Fi or local network. This may include IP addresses, host names, port numbers, connection status, and mount commands or responses. This information is used to connect to and control your own equipment.
App settings and preferences. The Application may store settings such as selected mount connection details, controller state, language, theme, and feature preferences on your device.
App and device information. The Application may read basic app and device information such as app version, operating system version, device model, and bundle/package identifier for compatibility, support, and update checks.
Usage analytics. The Application may collect app usage information, such as app opens, screen views, sessions, and feature usage, to understand and improve the Application.

Website Information

If you use the Website, it may collect information needed to operate normal website features:

Comments. If you leave a comment, the Website collects the data shown in the comment form, plus your IP address and browser user agent to help detect spam. An anonymized hash of your email address may be sent to Gravatar to check whether you use that service.
Cookies. The Website may use cookies for comments, login sessions, display preferences, and similar website functionality. If you choose to save your name, email address, and website for future comments, those comment cookies may last for one year.
Media uploads. If you upload images to the Website, avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS), because visitors may be able to download and extract that data.
Embedded content. Website pages may include embedded content from other websites, such as videos, images, or articles. Those third-party websites may collect data, use cookies, and monitor your interaction with their content.

Firebase Remote Config

The Application uses Firebase Remote Config to fetch app settings such as update requirements. Firebase may collect technical app, device, language, time zone, and region information needed to provide this service. This is used for app functionality, not advertising tracking.

Firebase Analytics

The Application uses Google Analytics for Firebase to understand how the Application is used, such as app opens, screen views, session information, device model, operating system, app version, and general region. Firebase Analytics may use an app-instance identifier to measure app usage. The Service Provider uses this information to improve the Application and does not sell it or use it to show third-party ads.

Firebase privacy information is available at https://firebase.google.com/support/privacy .

Location and Geocoding

Location permission is optional, but some astronomy features work better with location access. If you choose to sync your location to a telescope mount, the Application sends the coordinates to the mount controller on your local network. The Service Provider does not receive those coordinates.

The Application may use the location/geocoding services provided by the operating system to convert coordinates into a readable place name. Those platform services are governed by the privacy policies of the platform provider.

What the Application Does Not Collect

The Application does not require you to create an account.
The Application does not request your name, email address, phone number, or address.
The Application does not include third-party advertising.
The Application does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) services to process your data.

Sharing of Information

The Service Provider does not sell your personal information. Information may be shared only:

with Firebase Remote Config as described above;
with Google Analytics for Firebase as described above;
with website services such as Gravatar or automated spam detection when you use Website comments;
with your telescope or mount controller on your local network when you use mount control features;
with platform services, such as device location/geocoding services, when used by the Application;
when required by law or to respond to valid legal process;
to protect the rights, safety, or security of users, the Service Provider, or others.

Data Retention and Deletion

Settings and connection information stored by the Application remain on your device until you change them, clear the app data, or uninstall the Application. The Service Provider does not operate a user account database for the Application.

Data processed by Firebase services is retained according to Google’s Firebase policies. If you have a privacy request, contact the Service Provider at trong.minh@mlastro.com.

If you leave a Website comment, the comment and its metadata may be retained so follow-up comments can be recognized and approved. If you register for a Website account, your profile information is stored in your account and can be viewed, edited, or deleted by you or Website administrators, except where retention is required for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

Your Choices

You can grant, deny, or revoke location permission in your device settings.
You can stop local network connections by disconnecting from the mount controller or changing network settings.
You can delete locally stored app data by clearing app data or uninstalling the Application.
If you have a Website account or have left Website comments, you can request an export or deletion of personal data associated with that Website use.
You can stop all use of the Application by uninstalling it.

Children

The Application and Website are intended for a general audience and are not specifically directed to children under the age of 13. The Service Provider does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the Application or Website, please contact trong.minh@mlastro.com.

Security

The Service Provider uses reasonable safeguards to protect information handled by the Application. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or MLAstro’s privacy practices, contact the Service Provider at trong.minh@mlastro.com.