Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Privacy

At The App Origin, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you use our website and developer tools. We believe in transparency and want you to understand exactly what data we collect and why.

Information We Collect

1. Information You Don't Need to Provide

No Registration Required: You can use all our developer tools without creating an account, providing personal information, or logging in. We believe great tools should be accessible to everyone immediately.

2. Optional Account Information (If You Choose to Register)

If you voluntarily create an account, we may collect:

• Email address: For account access and optional notifications
• Username: For account identification
• Display name: For personalization (optional)
• Password: Securely hashed and encrypted
• Preferences: Theme, language, and tool favorites (stored locally when possible)

3. Automatic Technical Information

We automatically collect minimal technical information to improve our service:

• Usage Analytics: Which tools are used and how often (no personal content)
• Performance Data: Page load times and error reports
• Device Information: Browser type, screen resolution, operating system
• Session Data: Temporary session identifiers (not linked to personal identity)
• IP Address: For security and approximate geographic location (country/region only)

4. What We DON'T Collect

How We Use Information

1. Service Provision

• Provide and maintain our developer tools
• Process your requests and deliver tool results
• Remember your preferences (when logged in)
• Provide customer support when requested

2. Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve tool performance
• Identify and fix technical issues
• Develop new tools based on user needs
• Optimize website performance and user experience

3. Security and Legal Compliance

• Detect and prevent fraud or abuse
• Protect against security threats
• Comply with legal obligations
• Enforce our Terms of Service

Data Storage and Security

1. Client-Side Processing

Most of our tools process your data entirely in your browser. This means your content never leaves your device, providing maximum privacy and security. Tools that work this way include text converters, CSS generators, color tools, and many others.

2. Temporary Server Processing

Some tools require server processing (like PDF conversion or image optimization). In these cases:

• Files are processed immediately and deleted within minutes
• No permanent storage of your content
• Secure, encrypted transmission
• No human access to your files during processing

3. Security Measures

• HTTPS encryption for all data transmission
• Regular security audits and updates
• Secure password hashing (bcrypt)
• Limited data retention periods
• Access controls and monitoring

Cookies and Local Storage

1. Essential Cookies

We use minimal, essential cookies only for:

• Authentication: To keep you logged in (if you have an account)
• Security: To prevent cross-site request forgery
• Preferences: To remember your theme and language settings

2. Local Storage

We use browser local storage to:

• Save your tool preferences and favorites
• Cache tool results for better performance
• Remember your UI preferences (theme, layout)
• Store analytics session data (anonymous)

3. No Tracking Cookies

Third-Party Services

1. Analytics

We use privacy-focused, self-hosted analytics to understand how our tools are used. This helps us improve performance and develop better tools. Our analytics:

• Don't track individual users across sessions
• Don't collect personal information
• Can be disabled by users
• Use browser fingerprinting for anonymous usage statistics only

2. Content Delivery

We may use content delivery networks (CDNs) to serve static assets like fonts, icons, and images faster. These services may log basic access information but don't track users.

3. No Social Media Integration

We don't embed social media widgets, tracking pixels, or share buttons that could track you across sites.

Your Rights and Choices

1. Account Control

• Access: View and download your account data
• Correction: Update your profile information
• Deletion: Delete your account and associated data
• Portability: Export your data in a standard format

2. Privacy Controls

• Analytics Opt-out: Disable usage analytics in your browser
• Email Preferences: Control notification settings
• Data Retention: Request early deletion of your data

3. Browser Controls

You can also control privacy through your browser settings:

• Disable cookies and local storage
• Use private/incognito browsing mode
• Clear browser data regularly
• Use browser extensions that block tracking

Data Retention

1. Account Data

• Active Accounts: Retained while your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: Deleted after 2 years of inactivity
• Deleted Accounts: Permanently removed within 30 days

2. Usage Data

• Analytics Data: Aggregated data kept for up to 2 years
• Error Logs: Kept for 90 days for debugging
• Security Logs: Kept for 1 year for security purposes

3. Processed Content

• Tool Results: Deleted immediately after delivery
• Uploaded Files: Deleted within 1 hour of processing
• Temporary Data: Cleared from memory after each request

International Users

The App Origin is operated from the United States. If you are accessing our service from outside the US, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. We take appropriate measures to ensure your data is protected regardless of where it is processed.

GDPR Compliance (EU Users)

For users in the European Union, we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You have additional rights including the right to object to processing and the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete such information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending email notifications for significant changes (if you have an account)

Your continued use of our service after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Summary