[supernova87a]

Maybe someone can share/explain --

Purple Air sells you a sensor that you can install, and then takes the data, displays it on their website for lots of people to view, and then presumably makes money off the data you send them? Why should you have to pay for the sensor then?

[suzakus]

You don't have to make it public. I bought a sensor from them and marked it private, so it doesn't appear on the map.

From installation guide:

https://www2.purpleair.com/pages/install

If you set your sensor to private, you may view it by logging in to the PurpleAir map using a Gmail address that matches the "Owner's Email" in the registration form. Alternatively, you can use the link provided in the registration confirmation email. You may share this link with family and friends.

[IvyMike]

Here's a NYT article on the origins of Purple Air.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/style/air-quality-polluti...

I have a Purple Air sensor; I view the money I spent on it as helping to sponsor a "citizen science" project. Could the nature of the project change in the future, to where I feel like I was taken advantage of? Sure, I guess. But I'm ok taking that risk.

[supernova87a]

I see. Ok, well at least it's not some tech app service trying to charge on the front end and make money off the back too.

[bittercynic]

Personally, I probably wouldn't, but if you wanted to know about the air quality at your home this would be one way to do it.