Data Usage & AI Policy

1. Purpose of data usage. We use data to improve functionality; develop automation; improve reporting; enhance forecasting; optimize inventory and production workflows; improve performance and reliability; and develop AI-assisted recommendations and analytics.

2. Ownership of customer data. You retain ownership of all business data you submit — product information, inventory records, material costs, purchase orders, production data, uploaded documents/files, and branding/logos. Hivara does not claim ownership.

3. Aggregated & anonymized data — and our de-identification commitment. We may use aggregated and anonymized data for platform analytics, trend analysis, feature development, AI model improvement, operational insights, industry benchmarking, and forecasting improvements. Aggregated data does not publicly identify any individual user, business, brand, or product. To keep this activity outside the definition of a "sale" or "share":

• Not reasonably linkable: we use only data that cannot reasonably be used to infer or be linked to a particular user, business, or household.
• True aggregates with minimum cell sizes: benchmarking outputs are presented as group/category statistics, with minimum cell sizes so that small-population segments cannot re-identify a single customer; we do not expose individual-level data to third parties.
• Public no-re-identification commitment: we take reasonable measures to prevent re-association and publicly commit not to attempt to re-identify de-identified or aggregate data.
• Downstream contractual obligation: we contractually obligate any recipient of de-identified or aggregate data to maintain it in that form and not re-identify it.
• Excludes imported end-customer personal information: this aggregated/anonymized reuse, AI-model improvement, and benchmarking do not include personal information about your end customers that you import or upload. Hivara processes that imported data only as your processor under the Data Processing Addendum, solely to provide the service.

4. What is not used without permission. Unless you explicitly authorize it, we do not use your logos, brand assets, product photos, uploaded artwork, account screenshots, private business information, or identifiable business metrics. Separate permission is required for testimonials, case studies, or marketing.

5. AI-assisted features. AI-assisted features may estimate costs, analyze profitability, forecast inventory, improve production planning, identify trends, and generate reports and insights. AI outputs are informational only and are not financial, accounting, legal, tax, or other professional advice.

6. Data security & access. We use reasonable measures to protect data; access is restricted to authorized personnel and service providers.

7. Third-party providers. We use cloud hosting, analytics, payment processing, authentication, and AI/automation infrastructure providers, which process limited data only as necessary to perform their function. See the sub-processor list in the Data Processing Addendum.

8. Customer control. You may request account deletion, data export, removal of uploaded files, or account closure via contact@hivara.app.

9. Policy updates. We will post updates with a revised effective date.

10. Contact. contact@hivara.app.