Privacy Policy

Buoy is an SMS-based surf-forecast assistant operated by Buoy Labs LLC (“Buoy,” “we,” “us”) at hibuoy.co. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By signing up or texting Buoy, you agree to this policy.

Information we collect

Information you give us when you sign up or text Buoy:

• Your name and email address.
• Your mobile phone number (used to send and receive SMS).
• Your home break / preferred spot and skill level.
• The content of messages you send Buoy, and any preferences or session feedback you share.

Information we generate automatically:

• Message timestamps and basic usage (e.g. how many messages you’ve sent), used for rate limits and your plan.
• Preferences Buoy infers from your messages (e.g. the spots and conditions you care about) to tailor recommendations.

We do not collect precise GPS location, and we do not track you across other websites or apps.

How we use your information

• To deliver the service — send you surf forecasts, alerts, and answer your questions over SMS.
• To personalize recommendations to your spot, skill, and preferences.
• To verify your phone number and protect the service from abuse and spam.
• To provide support and respond to you.
• To maintain and improve Buoy’s accuracy and reliability.

SMS messaging & consent

When you sign up, you opt in to receive SMS messages from Buoy and confirm your number with a one-time verification code. Message types include account/verification messages, surf-condition alerts and forecasts, and replies to your questions.

• Message frequency varies based on your settings and conditions.
• Message & data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier.
• Reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe; reply HELP for help.
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number or SMS consent with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. Phone numbers are used only to operate Buoy as described here.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with service providers that help us operate Buoy, under agreements that limit how they can use it:

• Communications providers — to send and receive your SMS messages and verify your number.
• AI service providers — to generate Buoy’s responses to your messages.
• Cloud hosting & database providers — to run our application and securely store your account data.

We also use public weather and ocean data sources, which are inbound only — we receive forecast data from them and never send them your personal information. We may disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.

Data retention

We keep your account information for as long as your account is active. If you unsubscribe (reply STOP) or ask us to delete your data, we remove your personal information within a reasonable period, except where we’re required to retain it by law.

Your choices

• Reply STOP to stop all messages, or HELP for help.
• Email us to access, correct, or delete your information (see Contact).

Security

We use industry-standard measures (encryption in transit, access controls, reputable infrastructure providers) to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to safeguard your data.

Children

Buoy is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect information from them.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date above reflects the most recent changes; material changes will be reflected on this page.

Contact

Questions about your privacy, or want to access or delete your data? Contact us and we’ll help.