Privacy Policy for SmartEVSE Control App

Effective Date: January 3, 2026

We at Stegen Electonics ("we," "us," or "our") are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how the SmartEVSE Control App (the "App") collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards your information when you use the App. The App allows you to control SmartEVSE devices locally via WiFi or optionally remotely via our MQTT server at mqtt.smartevse.nl. By using the App, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Please note that the App does not require user accounts, email addresses, or any personally identifiable information (PII) to function. We do not collect or store any personal data such as names, contact details, or location information unless explicitly described below.

Information We Collect

Automatically Generated Data

• App UUID: Upon installation, the App generates a unique identifier (UUID) for your device. This is used solely for optional pairing with our MQTT server and is not linked to any personal information.

Data Provided During Pairing (Optional)

If you choose to enable remote control via our MQTT server:

• SmartEVSE Serial Number: The serial number of your SmartEVSE controller, which you provide or the App detects during local connection.
• Pairing PIN: A temporary 6-digit PIN generated by your SmartEVSE controller, which you enter in the App.

These are sent to our MQTT server (mqtt.smartevse.nl) along with your App UUID to verify and enable remote access. The PIN is used only for verification and is not stored after pairing.

We do not collect:

• Location data
• Payment information.
• Any sensitive personal data (e.g., health, financial, or biometric data).

How We Use Your Information

• Local Functionality: By default, the App operates locally on your WiFi network to connect to and control SmartEVSE controllers. No data is sent to our servers in this mode.
• Remote Pairing and Control (Optional): If you enable the "App Server" option on your controller and pair via the App:
  • The UUID, serial number, and Pairing PIN are used to authenticate your App with the MQTT server.
  • Once paired, the App gains read/write access to your controller's MQTT topics for remote control (e.g., starting/stopping charging).
  • Once paired, this enables secure, internet-based control without requiring user accounts or personal details.
  • The SmartEVSE's data shown in the app, is only sent to the server once the App connects to the server. If the App disconnects the data is erased.

We do not use your data for advertising, marketing, or any purpose other than providing the App's core functionality.

Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties, except in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share data with trusted vendors who assist in operating the MQTT server or App (e.g., hosting providers), but only to the extent necessary and under strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a court order or government request.

Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data, including encryption for transmissions to the MQTT server (e.g., TLS) and access controls. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. The Pairing PIN is verified in real-time and not stored on our servers post-pairing.

Data Retention

• The App UUID and paired serial numbers are retained on our MQTT server only as long as necessary for remote access (until you unpair or delete the App).
• You can unpair a device at any time via the App, which revokes access and removes associated data from our servers.

Children's Privacy

The App is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn that we have collected such data, we will delete it promptly.

Your Rights and Choices

• Opt-Out of Remote Features: You can use the App in local-only mode without any data transmission to our servers.
• Access and Deletion: Since we collect minimal data and no PII, formal requests may not apply. However, you can request deletion of any paired data by contacting us (see below).
• EU/UK Residents: Under GDPR/UK GDPR, you have rights to access, rectify, erase, or restrict processing. We process data based on your consent (for pairing) or legitimate interests (for App functionality).

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted here with the updated effective date. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at support@smartevse.nl

This Privacy Policy applies only to the App and our MQTT server. It does not cover third-party sites or services linked from the App.