Effective Date: April 2, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to Build-a-Bot ("we," "us," "our"), accessible at bot101.app. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our users, especially children. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding information handling, particularly concerning users under the age of 13, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Our website is designed to allow users to interact with a chatbot powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini model and optionally save their creations. We strive to create a safe online environment. By using Build-a-Bot, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy.

2. Information Collection and Use

• Personal Information: Build-a-Bot does not knowingly collect any personal information from users, including children under 13, unless voluntarily provided within user-generated content (see below). "Personal information" under COPPA includes details like full name, home address, email address, phone number, social security number, photos/videos/audio containing a child's image or voice, persistent identifiers used for tracking (like certain cookies or device IDs), or geolocation information. We do not require user accounts or collect such identifying data to use the basic functions of the site.
• Interaction Data: When you interact with the chatbot, your input (prompts) is sent to OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini model via their API solely for the purpose of generating an immediate response within the current chat session. We do not store your prompts or the chatbot's responses on our servers after the session. The interaction data is processed by OpenAI according to their own data usage policies (see Section 5: Third-Party Disclosure).
• Saved Bot Configurations: When you choose to save a bot you have created, its configuration data is stored on our backend infrastructure, hosted by Firebase (Google Cloud). We generate a unique, secret web link (URL) that corresponds to your saved bot configuration. This secret link is provided directly to you. We do not store this link in association with you or use it to track you. Accessing this secret link is the method by which you can retrieve and edit your saved bot configuration later. If you lose the link, you may lose access to edit the bot via this method. Note: The bot configuration data you save is user-generated content; please avoid including personal information within your bot configurations if you do not wish for it to be stored.
• Local Storage: To enhance user experience, Build-a-Bot may store certain non-personal information directly in your web browser's local storage on your own device. This might include settings like the system prompt used to customize the chatbot's behavior or other preferences. This data remains on your device and is not collected by or transmitted to us. It is used only locally by your browser to remember your preferences for future visits from the same browser. You can typically clear local storage through your browser settings.
• Non-Personal Information: We do not currently collect non-personal information like browser type, operating system, or aggregated usage statistics in a way that is linked to individuals. If this changes, this policy will be updated.

3. Parental Rights

Consistent with COPPA, parents and legal guardians of children under 13 have certain rights regarding their children's personal information. Since Build-a-Bot does not knowingly collect personal information from children as defined by COPPA (outside of potential voluntary inclusion in saved bot configurations), there is currently no operator-collected personal information for parents to review, consent to its use, or request deletion of under standard COPPA procedures.

If a parent believes their child has included personal information within a saved bot configuration and wishes to inquire about it, they may contact us using the information in Section 6. Please note that without user accounts or other identifiers, verifying and managing requests related to specific, anonymously saved bot configurations may be difficult or impossible.

Should our practices change in the future to include the collection of verifiable personal information from children under 13, this policy will be updated, and we will implement mechanisms for obtaining Verifiable Parental Consent before such collection occurs. Parents would then have the full rights under COPPA to review, delete, and refuse further collection of their child's personal information.

4. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to maintain the security and integrity of our website and the data we handle. This includes using standard secure protocols where applicable. For saved bot configurations stored on Firebase, we rely on the security infrastructure and practices provided by Google Cloud. Please remember:

• You are responsible for keeping the secret edit link for your saved bot confidential. Sharing the link allows others to access and potentially edit your bot configuration.
• Information stored in your browser's local storage (for preferences) is under the security control of your device and browser.
• Data processed by OpenAI is subject to their security measures.
• No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

5. Third-Party Disclosure

• OpenAI: We use OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini model to generate chatbot responses. Your prompts are sent to OpenAI for processing. We do not store this data after the session. OpenAI has its own privacy policy and terms of service that govern how they handle the data they process through their API. We encourage parents and users to review OpenAI's policies. Build-a-Bot is not responsible for the privacy practices of OpenAI.
• Firebase (Google Cloud): We use Firebase, a service provided by Google, to store the configuration data of bots that users choose to save via the secret link feature. Firebase acts as a data processor, storing this data on our behalf. You can review Google's privacy policies for more information on their practices.
• Other Third Parties: We do not share or sell any personal information with any other third parties, as we do not knowingly collect such information in a verifiable manner. We do not currently use third-party analytics or advertising services that would collect persistent identifiers for tracking purposes.

6. Contact Information

If you are a parent or guardian and have questions or concerns about our privacy practices or this policy, please contact us at:

We will respond to inquiries regarding privacy as promptly as possible.

8. Data Retention

Interaction Data: We do not store your chat prompts or the bot's responses after your session ends.

Saved Bot Configurations: Bot configurations saved via the secret link feature are stored on Firebase indefinitely. Currently, there is no automated way to delete a saved bot configuration via the website interface.

Local Storage: Data stored in your browser's local storage (for preferences) remains until you clear your browser's data.

9. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes. Your continued use of Build-a-Bot after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new policy.