Intelligent Assistant in Merlin Project – Your Data Stay Private
Since version 9, Merlin Project allows you to create a project using the intelligent assistant, i.e. with the help of artificial intelligence. For many users, this naturally raises questions about data protection, which we would like to answer here in general terms for Merlin Project.
Privacy in Merlin Project
Merlin Project runs exclusively locally on your computers, and data storage is entirely your responsibility. We recommend always saving your projects on a local computer; however, we have no influence or control over this. Your project privacy is fully your responsibility.
Privacy When Using the AI Assistant
The only exception is the optional AI assistant – see also section 3 of our Privacy Policy – which is used to create new projects.
If you use it (after clicking the “Create” button), the information entered is transmitted to a server in Northern Germany (see also “Subscription via Our Server”), from where ProjectWizards forwards it to OpenAI.
This means that OpenAI knows only us and your request, including the options you selected in the assistant. Subsequent identification of you is no longer possible, as your data is not stored by us. Once the AI assistant has finished, all we know is that:
- one (1) user,
- at a specific point in time,
- submitted a request.
OpenAI, on the other hand, has the information that ProjectWizards GmbH submitted this request, including its content and the calculated number of tokens (used to determine billing), and that the response was delivered to the sender – i.e. to us. Therefore, subsequent queries or deletion requests are not possible.
OpenAI will certainly store our request and very likely process it further. As we are aware of this, we have designed the process as described above. Incidentally, the price was not increased after introducing this feature, meaning we bear the costs of the AI assistant. You can find OpenAI’s privacy policy here.
Collection of Diagnostic Data
Section 3 of our Privacy Policy also addresses usage data collected as diagnostic data. If you do not consent, no such data will be collected.
The statistical data collected is not personalized (not even linked to an IP address). Subsequent identification of the user is not possible either.
Diagnostic data helps us understand which features of the software are used and how frequently.
Privacy for Subscriptions
The situation is different for subscriptions. In this case, certain information must naturally be collected and managed for order processing purposes.
We distribute Merlin Project through two stores:
- via our website
- via the Apple App Store
Depending on where you download the software – from our website or from the Apple App Store – this determines who your contractual partner is for subscription billing.
Subscription via Our Server
If you subscribe via our server, you download Merlin Project from this URL and start both the trial phase and the subscription through the Merlin Project menu within the app.
Communication takes place via a server in Northern Germany. Physical access to this server is strictly regulated. On this server, the information listed in section 2 of our Privacy Policy is processed for billing purposes.
Financial transactions themselves are handled by Paddle Ltd. in London, UK. Their privacy policy applies.
We only pass on your information in consolidated form as required under German tax and financial regulations.
Subscription via the Apple App Store
If you download Merlin Project via the Apple App Store, you enter into a business relationship with Apple Inc. Their privacy policies apply.
We – as ProjectWizards – only receive information about how many licenses have been subscribed to in which country. Even the usage data subsequently collected by Apple is optional and only includes the duration of a session, how long you work with Merlin Project, and whether the app has crashed. You must explicitly consent even to the transmission of crash log data – which is extremely valuable to us.
Due to this type of business relationship, all communication must take place directly with Apple, and we have no possibility to influence it.
You are the owner of your (project) information. You decide where to store your Merlin Project file. It does not necessarily have to be stored in the cloud.
Conclusion
At ProjectWizards, protecting your personal privacy is our highest priority. This principle applies to our online services, our software, and our services alike.
We understand that, especially in project management, it is crucial that your information remains under your control and is not shared with third parties without your permission.
If you have any questions about this blog article or would like to discuss it, we look forward to your contribution in our forum.
