Privacy Policy

At URLVanish, we prioritize your privacy. Learn how we protect your data.

At URLVanish, we prioritize your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our URL shortening service.

Key Privacy Features

URLVanish offers anonymous URL shortening with no account creation required, minimal data collection, optional link expiration, and no tracking of end users beyond basic analytics.

1. Information We Collect

We are committed to collecting only the minimum data necessary to provide our service. Here's what we collect:

  • Original URLs: When you create a shortened link, we store the original URL you provide.
  • Optional Settings: If you choose to use features like custom aliases, password protection, expiration dates, or referrer masking, we store these preferences.
  • Usage Data: We collect anonymous usage statistics such as the number of times a shortened link is clicked, general geographic regions of visitors (country level only), and referring websites.
  • Technical Information: We automatically collect certain technical information such as IP addresses (which are anonymized), browser types, and device information to maintain service functionality and security.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information solely for the following purposes:

  • To provide and maintain our URL shortening service
  • To redirect users from shortened URLs to their original destinations
  • To provide optional features like link expiration and password protection
  • To monitor and analyze usage patterns to improve our service
  • To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and security threats
  • To enforce our Terms of Service

3. Our No-Logs Policy

URLVanish operates with a strict no-logs policy for personal data:

  • We do not require user registration or collect personal information such as names, email addresses, or physical addresses.
  • We do not track individual users across different sessions.
  • We do not maintain detailed logs of individual user activities.
  • IP addresses are anonymized in our system by truncating the last octet (in IPv4) or the last 80 bits (in IPv6).

4. Data Retention

We retain information only as long as necessary to provide our service:

  • Original URLs and their shortened versions are retained until the shortened link expires (if an expiration date was set) or until the link has been inactive for an extended period (typically 12 months).
  • Anonymized usage statistics are retained for up to 90 days before being permanently aggregated.
  • Technical information is retained only as long as necessary for security and functionality purposes, typically not more than 7 days.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your information to third parties. We may share anonymized, aggregated information (such as total number of links created or clicks) for analytical purposes. We may disclose information if required to do so by law or if we believe in good faith that such action is necessary to:

  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Protect and defend our rights or property
  • Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the service
  • Protect the personal safety of users or the public

6. Cookies and Tracking

URLVanish uses minimal cookies that are strictly necessary for the functioning of our service. These cookies do not track you across websites and are primarily used to maintain basic functionality. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or tracking pixels.

7. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

  • All data transmission between your browser and our servers is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS
  • We regularly update our systems and software to address security vulnerabilities
  • We use secure hosting providers with industry-standard security practices
  • Access to our systems is strictly limited and monitored

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your information:

  • Access: You can request information about any data we hold about a specific shortened URL you've created (verification may be required).
  • Deletion: You can delete any shortened URL you've created by using the provided deletion link or contacting us.
  • Object/Restrict: You can object to our processing of your information in certain circumstances.

To exercise these rights, please contact us through our Contact page.

9. Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through our Contact page.

Last Updated: April 30, 2025