Privacy Policy

How we protect and handle your personal information

Last updated: December 2024

At URL Shortener, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our URL shortening service. By using our service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Key Privacy Highlights:

  • We only collect information necessary to provide our service
  • We never sell your personal information to third parties
  • We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data
  • You have control over your data and can delete it at any time

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

  • Email Address: Required for account creation and authentication via OTP
  • URLs: The original URLs you choose to shorten
  • Link Titles: Optional custom titles you assign to your shortened links
  • Account Settings: Preferences and configurations you set for your account

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When someone clicks on your shortened links, we automatically collect analytics data to provide you with insights:

  • Device Information: Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet), operating system, browser type and version
  • Location Data: Country, region, and city based on IP address (no precise geolocation)
  • Usage Data: Click timestamps, referrer information, user agent strings
  • Network Information: IP address, ISP information
  • Technical Data: HTTP headers, connection details, language preferences

Note: We do not collect any personally identifiable information about the people who click your links. All analytics data is anonymized and aggregated.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

2.1 Service Provision

  • Creating and managing your shortened URLs
  • Authenticating your identity through OTP verification
  • Providing link management features (activate/deactivate, edit, delete)
  • Ensuring proper redirection functionality

2.2 Analytics and Insights

  • Generating click analytics and performance metrics
  • Providing geographic and demographic insights
  • Creating real-time tracking dashboards
  • Identifying traffic sources and referrer information

2.3 Service Improvement

  • Monitoring service performance and uptime
  • Detecting and preventing fraud or abuse
  • Improving user experience and interface design
  • Developing new features and functionality

2.4 Communication

  • Sending OTP codes for authentication
  • Providing important service updates or security notices
  • Responding to your inquiries and support requests

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in:

  • Email delivery services for OTP authentication
  • Cloud hosting and infrastructure providers
  • Analytics and monitoring tools
  • Security and fraud prevention services

These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specified purposes.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

  • Valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)
  • Government or regulatory requests
  • Protection of our rights, property, or safety
  • Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

3.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

4.1 Technical Safeguards

  • Encryption: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
  • Database Security: Personal information is stored in encrypted databases with restricted access
  • Access Controls: Limited employee access on a need-to-know basis
  • Regular Security Audits: Ongoing monitoring and security assessments

4.2 Operational Safeguards

  • Secure data centers with physical access controls
  • Regular backup and disaster recovery procedures
  • Employee security training and confidentiality agreements
  • Incident response and breach notification procedures

Important: While we implement strong security measures, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

5. Data Retention

We retain your information for different periods based on the type of data:

Data Type Retention Period Purpose
Account Information Until account deletion Service provision and authentication
Shortened URLs Until manually deleted Link redirection and management
Analytics Data 24 months or until deletion Performance insights and reporting
OTP Codes 10 minutes Authentication security
Log Data 90 days Security monitoring and debugging

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

🔍 Access

View all personal information we have about you through your account dashboard.

✏️ Correction

Update or correct your personal information at any time.

🗑️ Deletion

Delete your account and all associated data permanently.

📁 Portability

Export your data in a machine-readable format.

How to Exercise Your Rights

  • Through Your Account: Most actions can be performed directly in your account dashboard
  • Contact Us: Email us at [email protected] for assistance
  • Account Deletion: Use the "Delete Account" option in your settings

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required for basic site functionality, authentication, and security.

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how users interact with our service to improve performance.

Preference Cookies

Remember your settings and preferences for a better experience.

7.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect site functionality.

8. International Data Transfers

Our service may involve transferring your information to countries outside your residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

  • Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
  • Standard contractual clauses approved by regulators
  • Certification schemes and codes of conduct
  • Binding corporate rules for group companies

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete such information immediately. Parents who believe their child has provided information to us should contact us at [email protected].

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do:

  • We will post the updated policy on this page
  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top
  • For significant changes, we will notify you via email
  • Your continued use constitutes acceptance of the changes

11. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Response Time

Within 48 hours

Data Protection Officer

[email protected]

Mailing Address

Available upon request