Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

This Privacy Policy applies to the website net-tools.ch and all sub-domains operated under it (collectively, "the Service"). The Service provides free web utilities including, but not limited to, link shortening, file upload, file compression, hash calculation, QR code generation, OCR PDF conversion, P2P file transfer, and JavaScript translation tools.

The Service is operated by an individual developer based in Switzerland. If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us via the contact form on the main page.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you use the contact form, we collect:

• Your name
• Your email address
• The content of your message
• The message category (idea, bug report, security issue, or general)

This information is used solely to respond to your enquiry and is not shared with third parties.

2.2 Files You Upload

When you use tools that require file uploads (File Uploader, File Compressor, OCR PDF, Hash Calculator), the files you submit are processed on our servers. Files are:

• Transferred over an encrypted HTTPS connection
• Used only to perform the requested operation
• Deleted automatically after the specified retention period or immediately after processing (whichever comes first)
• Never analysed for content, shared with third parties, or used for any purpose other than providing the tool's function

2.3 Automatically Collected Technical Data

Like most websites, our servers automatically log certain technical information when you visit, including:

• Your IP address (anonymised where possible)
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Referring webpage
• Pages visited and time of visit
• Time zone and language preferences

This data is used solely for security monitoring, abuse prevention, and aggregate statistical analysis. Individual records are not retained beyond 30 days.

3. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies. Below is an overview of the types of cookies used on net-tools.ch.

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the Service to function. They include:

• Cookie consent preference: Stores whether you have accepted or rejected non-essential cookies (key: nt_cookie_consent, stored in localStorage).
• Theme preference: Stores your chosen light/dark theme (key: nt_theme, stored in localStorage).

You cannot opt out of essential cookies as they are required for the website to work correctly.

3.2 Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)

To keep our tools free for everyone, net-tools.ch uses Google AdSense to display advertising. Google AdSense may place cookies on your device to:

• Show personalised advertisements based on your browsing history
• Prevent the same ad from appearing too frequently
• Measure ad performance and report click and impression data to Google

Google is an IAB-certified advertising partner. For more information about how Google uses data collected through AdSense, please read:

• Google Privacy Policy
• Google Advertising Policies
• Google Ads Settings — manage personalised ads

You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting aboutads.info/choices or the Your Online Choices portal (EU users).

If you choose "Reject Non-Essential" in our cookie consent banner, advertising cookies will not be placed until you accept. However, you may still see non-personalised ads.

3.3 reCAPTCHA

Our contact form uses Google reCAPTCHA v2 to prevent abuse and spam. reCAPTCHA may set cookies and collect information such as IP address and browser characteristics to verify that the form is being completed by a human. This is governed by Google's Privacy Policy.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, we process your data on the following legal bases:

• Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): Technical logs for security and abuse prevention.
• Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): Advertising cookies placed by Google AdSense. You may withdraw consent at any time via the cookie banner.
• Contractual necessity (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR): Processing files you upload to deliver the requested tool output.
• Legitimate interests: Responding to contact form enquiries.

5. How We Share Your Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We share data only in the following limited circumstances:

• Google: Via AdSense and reCAPTCHA, as described above.
• Hosting providers: Our Swiss data centre partners process data as part of server operation, under strict contractual data processing agreements.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose data if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal processes.

6. Data Retention

• Uploaded files: Deleted immediately after processing or after the user-specified expiry period.
• Contact form submissions: Retained until the enquiry is resolved, then deleted within 90 days.
• Server logs: Anonymised or deleted within 30 days.
• Cookies / localStorage: Retained until cleared by you or until expiry as set by the cookie issuer.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• TLS 1.3 encryption for all data in transit
• Server-side access controls and firewalls
• Regular security reviews and patching
• Principle of least privilege for server access

Our servers are located in Switzerland, a jurisdiction that provides a high standard of data protection under the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) and recognised as adequate under GDPR.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten"): Request deletion of your personal data.
• Right to restrict processing: Request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to data portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format.
• Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent for advertising cookies at any time.
• Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via the contact form on net-tools.ch. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

10. Third-Party Links

The Service contains links to external websites (such as our individual tool sub-domains and third-party services). These external sites have their own privacy policies, and we have no responsibility or liability for their content or practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

11. International Data Transfers

Our primary servers are located in Switzerland, which is recognised as providing adequate data protection under EU GDPR. Some third-party services (such as Google AdSense and Google Fonts) may process data in the United States. Google participates in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, providing appropriate safeguards under GDPR Article 46.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, your rights, or how we handle your data, please use the contact form on our main page and select "General Enquiry".

For data protection matters, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority. In Switzerland, this is the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). In the EU, contact your national data protection authority.