This Privacy Policy describes the very limited information that Starlyte Imaging, Inc. (“Starlyte,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects in connection with the Nebula microscopy software (“Nebula” or the “Software”). Nebula is designed to be privacy-respecting by default.
1. Plain-Language Summary
Nebula does not collect your data. It does not upload your images, videos, measurements, analyses, research data, or any other content you create with the Software.
The only time Nebula contacts Starlyte over the internet is to perform a non-identifying license check when it launches, so we can confirm the license is valid. That check is not tied to you, your name, or your organization.
2. What Nebula Sends to Starlyte
When Nebula launches, it performs a license validation check. The information transmitted is limited to what is technically required to verify the license, which is:
- The license key or license identifier.
- A check status indicating whether the license is valid, expired, or invalid.
This validation request is not linked to your name, email, organization, or any other personally identifying information that we associate with you in our records. We do not log the contents of your work, your files, or any data about the microscope, sample, or experiment.
3. What Nebula Does Not Collect
Nebula does not collect, transmit, or share:
- Images, videos, scans, time-lapses, or any other captured data.
- Measurements, analyses, exports, or research results.
- Hardware identifiers, microscope serial numbers, or sample information.
- User account credentials, passwords, or contact information.
- Crash reports, error logs, or usage analytics.
- Files, folders, or anything stored on your computer.
If we ever expand the data the Software collects (for example, optional crash reporting or usage analytics), we will update this Policy and obtain consent where required by law.
4. Why the License Check Exists
The license check exists for one purpose: to confirm that the copy of Nebula you are running is licensed for use. This protects both us and our paying customers from unlicensed distribution.
5. Offline Use
If your computer is offline or your network blocks our license server, Nebula’s behavior is governed by your license type and the Software’s offline policy as described in the End User License Agreement and product documentation.
6. Legal Basis and Retention
Where the GDPR or similar law applies, our lawful basis for the license check is our legitimate interest in protecting our intellectual property and ensuring that the Software is used under a valid license. Because the check is not associated with you, the data is operational rather than personal information in the normal sense.
License-validation logs are retained for a short period (typically no longer than 12 months) for security and fraud-prevention purposes and are then deleted or anonymized.
7. International Transfers
Starlyte is based in the United States, and our license-validation servers are operated in the United States. If you use Nebula outside the United States, the license-check request will be transmitted to and processed in the United States. Where transfers from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland require additional safeguards, we rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or other approved mechanisms.
8. Security
The license-check connection is encrypted in transit. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the limited information we receive.
9. Children
Nebula is a professional microscopy tool and is not intended for use by children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
10. Your Rights
Because the license check is not tied to you personally, there is generally no personal data about you held in connection with Nebula. If you do submit personal information to Starlyte through other channels — for example, when buying Nebula, contacting support, or registering for an account — that information is handled under our Website Privacy Policy, and you may exercise the rights described there (access, correction, deletion, portability, objection, and others), subject to applicable law.
If you are a California resident, EEA/UK resident, or live in another jurisdiction with privacy rights, please refer to our Website Privacy Policy for details on how to submit a request.
11. Changes to This Policy
If we change what Nebula collects or how the license check works, we will update this Policy and the “Last updated” date. Material changes will be announced in the Software, on our website, or by email where appropriate.
12. Contact Us
For privacy questions about Nebula, contact:
Starlyte Imaging, Inc.
4825 State Highway 193
Newcastle, CA 95658, USA
Email: privacy@starlyteimaging.com