Hass.Mac Privacy

Effective Date: January 2025
Last Updated: January 2025

Overview

HassMac is a macOS application that integrates your Mac computer with Home Assistant via MQTT. This privacy policy explains what information the app collects, how it's used, stored, and shared.

Information We Collect

1. System Information

HassMac monitors and collects the following system information from your Mac:

• Computer name (as set in System Preferences)
• Volume level (0-100%)
• Mute status (muted/unmuted)
• Battery percentage (for MacBooks and devices with batteries)
• Battery charging status (charging/not charging)
• macOS version and system uptime
• Network connectivity status

2. Configuration Data

The app stores configuration settings you provide:

• MQTT broker hostname/IP address
• MQTT broker port number
• MQTT username
• MQTT password (stored securely in macOS Keychain)
• MQTT topic prefixes and client IDs
• Home Assistant discovery settings
• App preferences (update intervals, UI settings)

3. Device Identifiers

The app generates and uses:

• Device ID (sanitized version of your computer name)
• MQTT Client ID (auto-generated unique identifier)

How Information Is Used

Primary Purpose

All collected information is used exclusively to:

1. Enable Home Assistant integration - System status is published to your MQTT broker
2. Respond to commands - Volume, mute, sleep, and shutdown commands from Home Assistant
3. Maintain connection - Keep-alive messages and connection monitoring
4. Device discovery - Automatic setup of entities in Home Assistant

No Analytics or Tracking

HassMac does NOT:

• Send any data to external analytics services
• Track user behavior or usage patterns
• Collect personal information beyond what's necessary for functionality
• Include any advertising or marketing trackers

Data Storage and Security

Local Storage

• Configuration data is stored locally in macOS UserDefaults (~/Library/Preferences/com.krytonlabs.hassmac.plist)
• MQTT passwords are stored securely in the macOS Keychain using Apple's Security framework
• No data is stored in the cloud or on external servers

Data Transmission

• System status is transmitted only to your configured MQTT broker
• All network communication is limited to your MQTT broker (typically on your local network)
• TLS encryption is supported and recommended for MQTT connections
• No data is sent to third-party services or external servers

Security Measures

• Keychain integration for secure password storage
• App sandboxing enabled for additional security
• Network access limited to MQTT broker connections only
• No server-side components - all processing happens locally

Network Access and Permissions

Required Permissions

HassMac requests the following macOS permissions:

• Network access (com.apple.security.network.client) - To connect to your MQTT broker
• Apple Events (com.apple.security.automation.apple-events) - To control system volume, sleep, and shutdown
• Audio device access (com.apple.security.device.audio-input) - To monitor and control volume
• File access (com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write) - For configuration import/export

Network Communication

• MQTT broker connection - Only to the broker you configure
• Local network only - Typically communicates within your home network
• No internet communication required for core functionality
• No external API calls or web service connections

Data Sharing and Third Parties

No Data Sharing

HassMac does NOT share your data with:

• Third-party analytics services
• Advertising networks
• External cloud services
• Other applications (except Home Assistant via MQTT)

MQTT Broker Communication

• Data is shared only with your configured MQTT broker
• This is typically a local server (Home Assistant, Mosquitto, etc.)
• You have full control over where this data goes
• You own and control the MQTT broker and Home Assistant instance

Data Retention and Deletion

Local Data

• Configuration data persists until you manually delete it
• You can clear all app data using the "Clear Configuration" feature
• Uninstalling the app removes all stored data

MQTT Data

• Published MQTT messages follow your broker's retention policies
• You can configure message retention in your MQTT broker settings
• Home Assistant entities can be removed through Home Assistant's interface

Data Export

• You can export your configuration settings to a JSON file
• Exported data excludes passwords for security
• Import/export allows easy backup and migration

Children's Privacy

HassMac is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. The app is designed for technical users managing home automation systems.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in the app's functionality. When we do:

• The "Last Updated" date will be revised
• Significant changes will be noted in app release notes
• Continued use of the app constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

Contact Information

For questions about this privacy policy or HassMac's privacy practices, please contact us through our contact form.

Technical Implementation Details

Data Minimization

• Only essential system information is collected
• No personally identifiable information beyond computer name
• Monitoring intervals are configurable to reduce data frequency

Open Source Transparency

• HassMac is open source software
• All data collection and transmission code is publicly auditable
• No hidden functionality or undisclosed data collection

Local Processing

• All data processing happens on your Mac
• No cloud services or external processing
• You maintain complete control over your data

Your Rights and Controls

Data Control

• View all stored data through the app's configuration interface
• Modify or delete any configuration data
• Export configuration for backup or migration
• Clear all data with the built-in reset function

Network Control

• Choose your MQTT broker - use local or remote servers
• Configure encryption - enable TLS for secure transmission
• Control data frequency - adjust monitoring intervals
• Disable features - turn off Home Assistant discovery if desired

Transparency

• View connection status and error messages in real-time
• Monitor published data through MQTT broker logs
• Audit network traffic using standard macOS network monitoring tools