Ergates privacy policy

Last updated 10 October 2026

Ergates is a mobile app for Hermes Agent: you use it to chat with the AI assistants on a Hermes server and manage them from your phone. This page explains what happens to your data when you use it, in plain words. The short version: the app talks to your own server, and it doesn't track you.

Who's behind Ergates

Ergates is published by Middelkamp Development, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) under number 73456632. That's me, Jop Middelkamp. You can reach me at jop@middelkamp.dev.

Your data goes to your own server

Ergates connects only to the Hermes server whose address you enter. That server is run by you, or by the person or organization that gave you access. I don't run it, and I don't receive the data you send to it. The one exception is the demo server, described below.

When you use the app, it sends these to your Hermes server:

• your messages to the assistants;
• photos and files you choose to attach;
• changes you make to your assistants, such as their name, instructions and schedule;
• your sign-in details, to log in to the server.

Your Hermes server may pass your messages on to the AI model provider configured on it, such as Anthropic or OpenAI. That provider's terms and privacy policy apply. Not sure which provider your server uses? Ask whoever runs it.

What stays on your phone

The app keeps a little data on your phone, so it still works when you open it again:

• the name and address of your server, and your sign-in session;
• messages you haven't sent yet, and drafts;
• assistants you started to set up but didn't finish;
• your display settings, such as light or dark mode.

This data is encrypted with a key kept in your phone's secure storage. Sign out in the app and it's removed from your phone. Your chats themselves live on your Hermes server, not on your phone.

Permissions

• Photos: only so you can pick a photo to send, or a picture for an assistant. The app never reads your photo library on its own.
• Microphone and speech recognition: only while you use voice input. Your speech is turned into text on your phone when your phone supports that. When it doesn't, Apple (on iPhone) or Google (on Android) may process the audio to recognize the speech.

No tracking

Ergates has no analytics, advertising or crash-reporting software inside. I don't track you, build a profile of you, or sell or share your data.

The demo server

For app review, Middelkamp Development runs a demo Hermes server in a Hetzner data center in Germany. If you sign in to it with the demo login, your messages are stored on that server and processed by Anthropic in the United States to generate the answers. I may wipe the demo server at any time, so please don't enter personal information there.

Children

Ergates isn't meant for children under 16.

Your rights

Under the GDPR you can ask to see, correct or delete your personal data. For data on your own Hermes server, contact whoever runs that server. For data on the demo server, or questions about this policy, email jop@middelkamp.dev. You can also file a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens).

Changes

If this policy changes, I'll update this page and the date at the top.