Privacy Policy
Last updated 2 October 2026
Openhouse is built so that your projects stay on your Mac. This policy explains the small amount of information we do handle, and why.
Who is responsible
DO IDEA CO LTD (company number 12009810) is the controller of your personal data. Contact us about privacy at openhouse@thedoidea.co.
What we collect
When you use the app
- A device identifier, created on first launch so your free hour and links belong to your Mac.
- Your Apple account identifier and email, if you sign in with Apple. If you choose to hide your email, we only receive Apple's relay address.
- Your links: the names you give them, and when each share starts, pauses and ends.
- Basic usage counts: app version, macOS version, how many shares start and stop, and why a project failed to start. These contain no project names, file paths or addresses.
What we don't collect
We don't upload, copy or store your projects, files, code, databases or API keys. When someone opens your link, their request passes through our network provider to your Mac and back. We don't keep the content of those requests.
When you buy
Payments are handled by Paddle, our reseller. Paddle collects your billing details under its own privacy policy. We receive your name, email, country and subscription status, but never your card details.
Visitors to your links
To route requests, our network provider (Cloudflare) processes visitors' IP addresses and request details, and keeps standard security logs for a short period. If a visitor asks to be notified when a paused project is back, we store their email for that purpose only and delete it once we've sent the notification, or after 90 days.
This website
openhouse.host doesn't use analytics or advertising cookies.
Why we use it
- To provide the service you've asked for: creating links, metering the free hour and managing seats (contract).
- To take payment and meet tax and accounting duties (legal obligation).
- To keep the service secure, prevent abuse and fix problems (legitimate interests).
Who we share it with
We use a small number of providers who process data on our behalf: Cloudflare (network and links), Paddle (payments), our server hosting provider and our email provider. We don't sell personal data or share it for advertising.
Some of these providers process data outside the UK. Where they do, they're covered by UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses.
How long we keep it
We keep account information while your account is active and for up to 12 months after, then delete it. Records we need for tax are kept for as long as the law requires, normally six years.
Your rights
You can ask to see, correct, delete or export your personal data, or object to how we use it. Email us and we'll respond within a month. If you're unhappy with how we handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Changes
If we change this policy in a way that matters, we'll tell you in the app or by email.