Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 21, 2024
1. Introduction
At GoTo.now ("we," "our," or "us"), 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. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
When you use GoTo.now, you may provide us with certain personal information voluntarily. This includes information necessary for creating an account, such as your email address, name, and password. When using our service, you provide us with the URLs you wish to shorten and any custom aliases you create for these URLs. If you contact our support team, we collect the information you provide in your communication with us. For users of our premium services, we may also collect payment information, though this is processed securely through our payment processors.
2.2 Automatically Collected Information
We automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate our service. This information does not reveal your specific identity but may include device and usage information such as your IP address, browser and device characteristics, operating system, language preferences, referring URLs, device name, country, location, and information about how and when you use our service. We also collect analytics data regarding shortened URL performance, including click-through rates, geographic data, and timing information.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for various purposes to provide, maintain, and improve our services. Your information helps us to operate the URL shortening service effectively and securely. Specifically, we use your information to:
Maintain and operate our URL shortening service efficiently and reliably. This includes creating and managing shortened URLs, tracking click analytics, and ensuring links function properly.
Protect the security and integrity of our service by monitoring for and preventing fraud, spam, abuse, and unauthorized access. Your data helps us identify and block suspicious activities that could harm our users or service.
Improve our service by analyzing usage patterns and implementing enhancements based on how users interact with our platform. This analysis helps us make informed decisions about feature development and service optimization.
Communicate important information to you, including service updates, security alerts, and administrative messages. If you've opted in, we may also send you marketing communications about new features or services that may interest you.
4. Data Sharing and Protection
Data Sharing
We take your privacy seriously and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share your information with trusted third parties in the following circumstances:
Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our service, conducting our business, or serving our users. These providers have access to your information only to perform specific tasks on our behalf and are obligated to protect your information.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests from public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency). We may also disclose your information to protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property, and that of our users or others.
5. Data Security
We implement and maintain industry-standard security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols, secure data storage practices, and regular security assessments of our systems.
Despite our best efforts to secure your data, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately.
6. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. The following principles guide our retention practices:
Account Information: We maintain your account information for as long as your account remains active. When you delete your account, we begin the process of securely removing your personal information from our systems.
Shortened URLs: Your shortened URLs remain active until you explicitly delete them or your account is terminated. We maintain this policy to prevent link rot and maintain the integrity of the internet ecosystem.
Analytics Data: We retain analytics data for shortened URLs for a period of 12 months to provide you with meaningful insights about link performance while respecting privacy concerns.
7. User Rights and Choices
You have several rights regarding your personal information:
Access and Updates: You can review and update most of your personal information directly through your account settings. For information not accessible there, you may contact us directly.
Data Portability: Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
Account Deletion: You may delete your account at any time. Please note that some information may be retained for legal or legitimate business purposes, such as fraud prevention and service improvement.
Marketing Communications: You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails or contacting us directly.
8. International Data Transfers
We operate globally and may transfer your information to countries other than where you reside. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place when transferring data internationally, including:
Standard Contractual Clauses: When transferring data outside the EU/EEA, we implement the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses to ensure adequate protection of your information.
Data Protection Agreements: We maintain data protection agreements with our service providers and partners to ensure your information receives consistent protection regardless of location.
9. Children's Privacy
Our service is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from children without parental consent, we take steps to remove that information from our servers.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- Posting the new Privacy Policy on this page
- Sending you an email notification if we have your contact information
- Displaying a prominent notice on our service
Your continued use of our service after such modifications constitutes your acknowledgment of the modified Privacy Policy and agreement to abide by its terms.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Email: [email protected] Data Protection Officer: [email protected]
We aim to respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. For complex requests or multiple requests, we may require additional time and will keep you informed of our progress.
12. Jurisdiction-Specific Provisions
California Residents
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have specific rights regarding their personal information. You have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion of your personal information, and opt-out of the sale of personal information, though we do not sell personal information in the traditional sense.
European Economic Area Residents
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), users in the European Economic Area have additional rights regarding their personal data, including the right to object to processing and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.
By using our service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.