Legal, Privacy & Safety

Last Updated: January 2026

1. Safety & Liability Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE PROCEEDING.

1.1 Development Status

AvaBuoy is currently in the Pre-Production & Engineering Validation phase. While the device is actively being developed for commercial release, the product depicted on this website is a functional prototype and is not yet available for retail purchase. Technical specifications and performance targets are subject to change pending final certification.

1.2 No Survival Guarantee

Avalanches are catastrophic natural events involving massive forces, trauma, and asphyxiation risks. No avalanche safety equipment—including transceivers, airbags, or AvaBuoy—can guarantee survival. The best defense is avalanche avoidance through education and decision-making. Consult a qualified professional for training.

1.3 Supplementary Equipment Only

AvaBuoy is strictly a supplementary safety device. It is designed to complement, not replace, mandatory avalanche safety equipment. You must always carry a transceiver (beacon), probe, and shovel, and travel with a trained partner when entering avalanche terrain.

1.4 Theoretical Performance Models

The rescue time projections and segregation thresholds presented on this site are theoretical design targets based on engineering data, granular physics simulations, and scientific literature (e.g., Rauch et al., 2024; Genswein et al., 2009/2025; Strapazzon et al., 2021; Savage & Lun, 1988; Gray & Ancey, 2011; Gray & Thornton, 2005). These models assume specific snow conditions and flow regimes.

1.5 Regulatory Notice

These performance claims have not yet been certified by regulatory bodies (such as TÜV SÜD or UIAA). By accessing this site or joining the waitlist, you acknowledge that AvaBuoy and its creators assume no liability for the accuracy of these models or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

2. Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to the AvaBuoy website (the "Site"). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal data you share with us.

2.1 Data We Collect

Email Addresses: When you sign up for our waitlist, we collect your email address.
Usage Data: We may collect anonymous data regarding how you access the Site (e.g., browser type, simulation interactions) to improve our engineering presentations.

2.2 How We Use Your Data

Your email address is used strictly to send you updates regarding the development status, launch, and availability of AvaBuoy. We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal identification information to others.

2.3 Cookies & Tracking

This website does not use tracking cookies or analytics pixels. We use local storage strictly for necessary site functionality (e.g., preserving animation states or scroll positions). These are functional in nature and do not track your activity across other websites.

2.4 Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate this Site:

Mailchimp: Used to manage our email waitlist. By joining the waitlist, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy.
CDNs (Content Delivery Networks): We use standard content networks (such as JSDelivr or Cloudflare) to load library scripts and icons for performance.

2.5 Data Security

We use industry-standard technical and organizational measures, including encryption, to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

2.6 Data Retention

We retain your email address for as long as necessary to provide waitlist updates or until you unsubscribe. Anonymous usage data is retained for internal analysis purposes and deleted after a reasonable period.

2.7 Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data held by us.
Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data under certain conditions (e.g., when no longer necessary or consent withdrawn).
Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of data processing in specific cases.
Right to Object: Object to processing for direct marketing or other purposes based on legitimate interests.
Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another organization in a usable format.
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior processing.

You may unsubscribe from our waitlist at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the footer of our emails or by contacting us directly. We will respond to rights requests within one month.

2.8 Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

2.9 Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us first. You may also lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Switzerland or your jurisdiction.

3. Terms of Use

By accessing this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.

3.1 Intellectual Property

The content, design, graphics, simulations, and code on this website are the intellectual property of AvaBuoy. The "AvaBuoy" name and logo are trademarks of the project owners.

3.2 Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

3.3 Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or these Terms, please contact us at: [email protected]