Privacy Policy

Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains what information DecibelMeter collects, how it is used, and the choices you have. DecibelMeter is a browser-based sound level measurement tool. The tool is designed so that audio is processed entirely on your own device. Please read this policy carefully — by using the website you agree to the practices described here.

Information You Provide Voluntarily

You are not required to create an account or provide personal information to use the decibel meter. If you contact us by email or through the contact page, we receive the information you choose to send, such as your email address, name, and the contents of your message. We use this information only to respond to your inquiry.

Microphone Audio

DecibelMeter requests access to your device microphone for the sole purpose of measuring sound levels. Audio is processed in real time in your browser using the Web Audio API. We do not record, store, transmit, or listen to your audio. No audio data is uploaded to any server.

Local Storage on Your Device

The tool stores small amounts of data in your browser's local storage so that your preferences and measurement sessions can persist between visits. This includes your chosen theme (light or dark), your selected language, and any measurement sessions you save in the Noise Journal. This data stays on your device and is never sent to us.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the website, our hosting provider's servers may automatically record standard technical information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring page, and the date and time of your visit. This is routine web server logging and is used for the technical operation and security of the website.

The website also uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect aggregated information about how visitors use the site — for example, which pages are viewed, how long visits last, the type of device and browser used, and approximate geographic location at the country level. This data is processed in aggregate and is used to understand site usage and improve the website. Google may process this information in accordance with its own privacy policy (policies.google.com).

Neither the analytics data nor the server logs are used to identify individual visitors or to build profiles of named persons. The microphone audio used by the measurement tool is never included in analytics data.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website uses cookies for Google Analytics (see "Information Collected Automatically" above) and browser local storage for your preferences and saved measurement sessions. The local storage data stays on your device.

If advertising services are integrated in the future, third-party providers may place additional cookies on your device. See our Cookie Policy for details and for how to control cookies in your browser.

Advertising

DecibelMeter does not currently display advertising. If the website begins displaying advertising through a service such as Google AdSense, third-party advertising providers, including Google, may use cookies or similar technologies to serve advertisements based on your prior visits to this website and other websites across the internet.

Advertising partners may use this information to show ads that are more relevant to you. You can manage advertising personalization through Google's Ads Settings (adssettings.google.com), through the opt-out tools at aboutads.info and youradchoices.com, and through the cookie and privacy settings in your browser. These choices are controlled by the advertising providers, not by us.

We will update this policy if and when advertising is introduced, before any advertising starts serving on the website.

Data Retention and Security

Because DecibelMeter is designed to keep your data on your own device, we hold very little information about you. Any correspondence you send us is retained only as long as necessary to handle your inquiry. Technical server logs are retained by our hosting provider for a limited period for operational and security purposes.

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the website and any limited information we hold. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Third-Party Websites

This website may link to external websites, such as educational resources about hearing health. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any website you visit.

Children's Privacy

DecibelMeter is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it where required by law.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete information we hold about you, and the right to object to or restrict certain processing. Because we hold very little personal information, you can generally exercise these rights by contacting us. You also have the right to manage cookies and local storage through your browser settings at any time.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the website, the law, or our practices. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will always show when the policy was most recently revised. Material changes will be reflected here, and continued use of the website after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or about how your information is handled, please contact us.