Hi All,

Looking to steer into HA, but have some questions on how data is handled.

First, I don’t mean the opt-in on the scant analytics. HA is very clear about that which is great. Awesome clear policy.

Second, I understand that “integrations”, which use a device manufacturer’s/services software/infrastructure, are outside scope here (although I do have some questions).

My goal is to find and work a system where no one knows when my lights are turning off and on, and is only on my hardware. IE: If the internet went down, but I was still connected to local wifi, can my HA still work?

The answer seems like a strong “yes”, but I want to double check. I also want to make sure if I do use an integration that there’s not an avenue for telemetry beyond that integration. IE: I don’t want Spotify to gain access to what temperature I keep my house just because I want to play music.

I also have questions about the mobile app, but if the rest is truly locked down, I can navigate that.

I currently have an automated bog garden, but how I did it isn’t really scalable. It’s all modbus components with values passed to a local server to generate a dashboard. I’d like to expand to more actual “home” automation, and this seems like a great tool!

Thanks for any clarification.

  • webghost0101@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    3·
    8 hours ago

    My HA is not port forwarded and only accessible when connected to the home network.

    I have a private backdoor tunneling into my network with self hosted vpn so i can use it away from home.

    Integrations i use come in two types relative to your question. But all of them involve giving HA acces to the controls and data. Not the opposite. I have never heard of an integrations that required data from HA.

    The biggest tell on what is what is does the intended way to control the device make use of any cloud. If your device does not require a cloud or account and you can connect it to the integration with just an ip it should all be local.

    But many integrations will require you to provide the credentials for a cloud because it’s easier. In that case you are not any more exposed then if you use the vanilla apps.

    For my solar panels i could use the cloud but i convinced the technician to give me admin rights enabling a local api i can use instead. That cloud stuff is still there, cant disable it but it means i can still read my solar panels in case of an internet blackout.

    If i could all my devices would be blocked from talking to the outside and all use local apis for control but its sadly not how most stuff is build. For stuff like cameras i wont even consider it unless they do though.