1. Introduction

Grayson Industries, LLC ("we," "our," or "us") operates Ask Gaston ("Service"), a local information chatbot for Gastonia and Gaston County, North Carolina. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our Service.

By using Ask Gaston, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you interact with Ask Gaston, we collect:

• Messages and queries you submit to the chatbot
• Session identifiers to maintain conversation context

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect:

• Usage analytics, including message classifications and response patterns
• Technical information such as timestamps and session data
• Error logs and failure analytics for service improvement
• Website usage data via Google Analytics (page views, navigation patterns, device information)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

• Providing and improving the chatbot service
• Processing your queries and generating responses
• Analyzing usage patterns to enhance service quality
• Ensuring safety and preventing misuse
• Complying with legal obligations

4. Third-Party Services

4.1 OpenAI

Ask Gaston uses OpenAI's GPT models and embedding services to process queries and generate responses. When you submit a query:

• Your message is sent to OpenAI's API for processing
• OpenAI's services are subject to their own Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
• We do not share your personal information with OpenAI beyond what is necessary for service operation
• OpenAI may use your data in accordance with their policies, which may include training their models. For more information, visit:OpenAI Privacy Policy

4.2 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with Ask Gaston. Google Analytics collects information such as:

• Page views and navigation patterns
• Time spent on pages
• Device and browser information
• General geographic location (country/city level)

Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies. The information generated about your use of the website is transmitted to and stored by Google. Google may use this data for its own purposes in accordance with their Privacy Policy. For more information, visit:Google Privacy Policy

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing theGoogle Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4.3 Data Storage

Your data is stored in the United States using:

• Neon (PostgreSQL Database): Data is stored in AWS us-east-1 region (United States)
• Netlify: Application hosting and deployment

All data storage complies with US data protection laws and is subject to the data protection practices of these service providers.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure database connections with SSL
• Access controls and authentication
• Regular security assessments

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide and improve our services
• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Analytics data may be retained indefinitely for service improvement purposes, but personal identifiers are anonymized where possible.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information
• Object to processing of your information
• Request restriction of processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 10.

8. Children's Privacy

Ask Gaston is designed to be family-friendly, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years of age. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us: