Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Helical Systems LLC, doing business as Vrnl ("we," "our," or "us"), is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our environmental reporting services, or sign up for our waitlist.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us:

• Email Address: When you sign up for our waitlist or create an account, we collect your email address to provide our services and send you updates.
• Location Data: When you request an environmental report, we collect the address or geographic coordinates you provide to generate your report. We do not track your physical location without your explicit input.
• Account Information: If you create an account, we may collect your name and preferences.
• Payment Information: If you purchase a report, payment processing is handled by our third-party payment processor (Stripe). We do not store your credit card details.
• Consent Records: We record your consent to receive communications from us.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Generate environmental status reports for locations you specify
• Send you notifications about our product launch and service updates
• Process transactions and deliver purchased reports
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Improve our website, services, and data accuracy
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Third-Party Data Sources

Our environmental reports aggregate publicly available data from federal government sources, including but not limited to:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) databases
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster records
• AirNow air quality monitoring data
• NOAA climate and weather data
• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) records
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data

We do not share your personal information with these data sources. We only retrieve publicly available environmental data based on the locations you provide.

5. Cookies and Analytics

We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. These may include essential cookies for site functionality and analytics cookies to understand how visitors use our site. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.

6. Data Retention

We retain your email address and account information until you unsubscribe from our communications or request deletion. You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us.

Location Data Caching: When you request an environmental report, the location coordinates and associated environmental data are cached for up to 30 days to improve service performance. After 30 days, this cached data is automatically deleted. This temporary caching is performed in compliance with our geocoding service providers' terms of service.

Address geocoding (converting addresses to coordinates) is performed using Google Places API. We do not permanently store geocoded coordinates beyond the 30-day cache period described above.

7. Data Sharing

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

• Service Providers: With trusted service providers who assist us in operating our website and services (e.g., payment processing, email delivery), provided they agree to keep your information confidential.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time
• Unsubscribe from our communications
• Request a copy of your data in a portable format

9. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete your information, and the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, please contact us at privacy@vrnl.io.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

11. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at privacy@vrnl.io.