Privacy Policy

1. What This Privacy Policy Covers

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through:

• ShortMyURL.org.
• Our URL shortening services.
• Short links and related features.
• QR code generation.
• Link analytics.
• User accounts.
• Our API and developer services.
• Other services or pages that link to this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites that you access through a ShortMyURL link.

Those websites have their own privacy policies and practices.

2. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use ShortMyURL.

2.1 Information You Provide

When you use certain features, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide, such as:

• Email address.
• Account information.
• Login credentials.
• Custom link aliases.
• URLs you submit.
• Information you provide when contacting us.
• Information you provide when using our API or other services.

You don't need to create an account to use every feature of ShortMyURL. Some features may require an account.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit or use ShortMyURL, certain technical information may be collected automatically.

This may include:

• IP address.
• Browser type and version.
• Device type.
• Operating system.
• Referring URL.
• Pages or features you access.
• Date and time of access.
• Approximate geographic information.
• General usage and interaction data.
• Other technical information necessary to operate and secure the Service.

We use this information to operate, maintain, secure, and improve ShortMyURL.

2.3 Information About Short Links

When you create or use a shortened URL, we may collect information related to that link.

Depending on the feature and configuration, this may include:

• The original destination URL.
• The shortened URL.
• Custom alias information.
• Creation date and time.
• Number of clicks.
• Approximate location of visitors.
• Referrer information.
• Device and browser information.
• Other technical information related to link usage.

This information may be used to provide analytics and protect the Service from abuse.

3. How We Use Information

We may use information we collect to:

• Provide and operate ShortMyURL.
• Create and manage shortened URLs.
• Generate QR codes.
• Provide link analytics.
• Maintain and manage user accounts.
• Provide API functionality.
• Monitor and improve Service performance.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent abuse, fraud, spam, and malicious activity.
• Maintain the security and integrity of our infrastructure.
• Respond to questions, requests, and support inquiries.
• Communicate with you about your account or the Service.
• Understand how users interact with our Service.
• Develop and improve existing and future features.
• Comply with applicable laws and legal obligations.

We don't collect information simply because we can. We collect and use information when it helps us operate, secure, improve, or provide ShortMyURL.

4. How We Use IP Addresses

IP addresses can be useful for operating a reliable and secure URL-shortening service.

We may use IP addresses to:

• Detect and prevent abuse.
• Identify suspicious or malicious activity.
• Apply rate limits.
• Protect our infrastructure.
• Generate approximate geographic analytics.
• Troubleshoot technical problems.
• Comply with legal obligations.

An IP address may also be included in technical logs maintained for security and operational purposes.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

ShortMyURL uses cookies and similar technologies to operate the Service, maintain functionality, understand how visitors use our website, improve performance, and support our marketing and analytics activities.

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your browser. Depending on how you use our Service, cookies may be used for several different purposes.

5.1 Essential Cookies

Some cookies are necessary for ShortMyURL to function properly. These may help with authentication, security, session management, preferences, and other core functionality.

5.2 Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use ShortMyURL. Google Analytics may collect information such as pages viewed, traffic sources, device information, browser information, approximate location, and interactions with our website.

We use this information to understand website performance, identify trends, improve our products, and make ShortMyURL more useful.

5.3 Advertising and Marketing Cookies

ShortMyURL may use the Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel) to understand interactions with our website, measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, and support marketing activities.

Meta may collect information about your interactions with our website through cookies or similar technologies. The information collected by Meta is subject to Meta's own privacy policies and terms.

5.4 Cloudflare

We use Cloudflare to help protect and deliver ShortMyURL, including security, performance, traffic management, and abuse prevention.

Cloudflare may process technical information such as IP addresses, browser information, device information, and other request-related data when you access our website.

Cloudflare may also use cookies or similar technologies where necessary for security, performance, and service functionality.

5.5 Managing Cookies

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Depending on your location, you may also have additional choices regarding non-essential cookies and similar technologies.

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality, security, or performance of some parts of ShortMyURL.

6. Third-Party Services

ShortMyURL uses certain third-party services to help us operate, understand, secure, and improve the Service.

These may include:

• Google Analytics — website analytics and usage measurement.
• Cloudflare — security, performance, traffic management, and infrastructure protection.
• Meta Pixel (Facebook Pixel) — advertising measurement, marketing, and website interaction tracking.

These third-party providers may collect or process information according to their own privacy policies and terms.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these providers to understand how they handle information.

7. Analytics

We use analytics technologies, including Google Analytics, to understand how ShortMyURL is used and how we can make it better.

Analytics may provide information such as:

• Page views.
• Traffic sources.
• Device type.
• Browser type.
• General geographic information.
• Feature usage.
• Approximate interaction patterns.

Analytics information may be aggregated or otherwise processed to help us understand overall usage.

We may also use link-specific analytics to provide statistics to users who create shortened URLs.

8. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information simply to make money from it.

We may share information in limited circumstances, including with:

Service Providers

We may use third-party companies to help us operate ShortMyURL, such as providers of:

• Hosting and infrastructure.
• Databases and storage.
• Analytics.
• Advertising and marketing.
• Security and fraud prevention.
• Customer support.
• Monitoring and technical services.

These providers may process information on our behalf to provide their services.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if we believe disclosure is reasonably necessary to:

• Comply with applicable law.
• Respond to valid legal requests.
• Protect our rights or property.
• Protect the safety of users or others.
• Investigate fraud, abuse, or security incidents.

Business Transfers

If ShortMyURL is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, sale of assets, or similar transaction, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

We will take reasonable steps to protect information during such a process.

9. Third-Party Websites

ShortMyURL exists to help people share links — which means you may use our Service to visit websites we don't operate.

Once you leave ShortMyURL and visit a third-party website, that website's privacy policy applies.

We are not responsible for:

• The privacy practices of third-party websites.
• Their collection or use of your information.
• Their security.
• Their content.
• Their cookies or tracking technologies.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party website you visit.

10. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

The length of time we retain information may depend on factors such as:

• The type of information.
• Why it was collected.
• How we use it.
• Security and operational requirements.
• Legal or regulatory obligations.
• Dispute resolution requirements.

Some technical logs may be retained for a limited period, while information associated with an account or shortened URL may be retained for as long as necessary to provide the Service.

When information is no longer reasonably necessary, we may delete, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it.

11. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no internet service can guarantee absolute security.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

For this reason, we cannot promise that your information will always be completely protected from every possible security threat.

If we become aware of a security incident that requires notification under applicable law, we will take appropriate steps as required.

12. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.

These rights may include the ability to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of certain information.
• Request information about how your data is processed.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Request a copy of certain personal information.

These rights are not absolute and may be subject to applicable legal requirements and exceptions.

To make a privacy-related request, please contact us.

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

13. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under applicable California privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

Depending on the circumstances, these rights may include:

• The right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used.
• The right to request access to certain personal information.
• The right to request deletion of certain personal information.
• The right to request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• The right to opt out of certain forms of sharing or sale of personal information, where applicable.
• The right to limit certain uses of sensitive personal information, where applicable.
• The right not to receive discriminatory treatment for exercising applicable privacy rights.

We do not knowingly sell personal information in exchange for money.

If you would like to exercise an applicable California privacy right, please contact us.

14. European Economic Area and UK Privacy Rights

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or another jurisdiction with similar privacy protections, you may have additional rights under applicable data protection laws.

Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

• Accessing your personal information.
• Correcting inaccurate information.
• Requesting deletion.
• Restricting processing.
• Objecting to processing.
• Receiving certain information in a portable format.
• Withdrawing consent where processing is based on consent.

Where required by applicable law, we may rely on legal bases such as:

• Performance of a contract.
• Compliance with legal obligations.
• Legitimate interests.
• Consent.

You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise your rights or ask a privacy question, please contact us.

15. Children's Privacy

ShortMyURL is not intended for children under the age required by applicable law to independently use online services.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable laws.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us inappropriately, please contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

16. International Data Transfers

ShortMyURL may use infrastructure, service providers, or partners located in countries other than your own.

As a result, your information may be processed or stored in countries with privacy laws that differ from those in your jurisdiction.

Where required by applicable law, we will use appropriate safeguards for international transfers of personal information.

17. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers provide a “Do Not Track” feature.

Because there is currently no universally accepted standard for responding to such signals, ShortMyURL may not respond to every browser-based Do Not Track signal.

Where applicable law requires us to recognize a particular privacy preference signal, we will do so as required.

18. Data About Link Visitors

If you create a shortened URL, people who click that link may generate technical information that is processed by ShortMyURL.

Depending on the analytics features available, this may include information such as:

• Approximate location.
• Device type.
• Browser type.
• Referrer.
• Date and time of the click.
• IP address or technical identifiers.

If you create or share a shortened URL, you are responsible for using analytics features in accordance with applicable privacy laws and any requirements that apply to your audience.

19. API and Developer Services

If you use the ShortMyURL API, additional technical information may be collected to authenticate requests, enforce rate limits, prevent abuse, monitor system performance, and provide API functionality.

API usage may be associated with an account, API key, IP address, request metadata, or other technical information.

We may retain API logs for security, troubleshooting, operational, and legal purposes.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Privacy laws, technology, and ShortMyURL may change over time.

We may update this Privacy Policy when necessary to reflect changes to our Service, practices, technology, or legal requirements.

When we make material changes, we may provide notice through the Service or by other reasonable means.

The updated version will include a new “Last Updated” date.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

21. Contact Us

Privacy questions shouldn't require a treasure hunt.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise a privacy right, or believe your information has been handled improperly, please contact us.

We will review your request and respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

22. Final Note

We built ShortMyURL to make sharing links simpler.

Your trust matters to us, so we aim to collect only the information we need, use it responsibly, and be transparent about how our Service works.

Thanks for trusting ShortMyURL.