Default behaviour
The application starts, loads and plays patches without contacting any server. Update checks and usage statistics are disabled until enabled in the setup wizard or in Settings. The application has no account or sign-in. Patches, recordings and samples are stored on the user's disk only.
Update checks
When enabled, the application asks the Humus server at launch whether a newer version exists and whether the license is valid. The request carries a random install identifier generated on first launch, the application version and the platform. Nothing else is sent. The check can also be run manually with Check for updates.
License activation
Entering a license code sends the code and the install identifier to the server, which returns a signed license. A name or email address is included only if entered.
Usage statistics
Disabled by default and offered during setup. When enabled, the application sends aggregate counts: kinds of organisms used, save frequency, approximate session length and whether the previous session crashed. No patch contents, file names, audio or typed text are sent. The switch is in Settings under License and Privacy; disabling it discards data gathered but not yet sent.
Your own tally
Separately, the application keeps a small tally on your computer: how long it has been open, how many times you have bounced and how much music that was. It is shown in the About box and used to decide when to mention donations, at most once a month and never after you say so. This tally is never sent anywhere, whatever the switch above is set to.
Pack updates
The organism manager fetches the list of available packs when Check for updates is pressed and downloads a pack when the user chooses to install it. Both are public downloads from the releases page.
Assistant
The assistant connects only to the address configured for it. The default is a model running on the user's own machine. If a hosted provider is configured with the user's own key, prompts go to that provider under its terms; Phobos Instruments does not receive them.
This website
The site uses no analytics or trackers. Signing in to an account sets one cookie, strictly necessary to stay signed in: it holds a random token and nothing else, and no cookie is set for anyone who does not sign in. The server keeps standard access logs (requesting address and requested path) for operation, and rotates them routinely.
Beta list
Joining the beta list stores the email address, platform and any note submitted. The data is used only to correspond about the beta. Removal or deletion can be requested by replying to any message or by writing to info@phobos-instruments.com.
Contact form
Sending a message from the contact page stores the name if given, the email address and the message, and mails a copy to the people who answer it. The data is used only to reply. Deletion can be requested by replying or by writing to info@phobos-instruments.com.
Your account
Signing in on this site stores the email address. Each sign-in mails a one-time code; the code is stored only in a form that cannot be read back, and is deleted after a day. A session lasts up to 30 days, or until signing out. The account page shows the license codes tied to the address and the installs activated with them; releasing an install deactivates that install's license. Asking for more installs stores the note sent with the request. Deletion of the account and its records can be requested by writing to info@phobos-instruments.com.
Retention
Usage statistics and update check-ins are deleted after 180 days. License records are kept for the life of the license. Beta list entries are kept until removal is requested or the beta ends. Contact messages are kept until deletion is requested. Sign-in codes are deleted after a day and sessions once they expire. Accounts are kept until deletion is requested.
Storage
All data is held in one database on a server operated by Phobos Instruments. No data is sold or shared with third parties.