VidsHog Tools ("we", "us", or "our") operates the website tool.vidshog.com (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.
1. Information We Collect
1a. Information You Provide Voluntarily
- Account registration: Name, email address, and password when you create a free account.
- Contact form: Name, email address, subject, and message when you submit an enquiry.
- Feedback forms: Optional email address and feedback text submitted on tool pages.
1b. Information Collected Automatically
- Usage data: Pages visited, tools used, time spent, and referring URLs. This is collected in aggregate and not linked to individuals.
- IP address (hashed): Your IP address is one-way hashed (SHA-256) before storage. We never store your raw IP address.
- Session cookies: A session cookie keeps you logged in during your visit. It expires when you close your browser.
- Calculation inputs: Values you enter into our calculators are processed locally in your browser or on our server to compute results. We do not store these inputs unless you explicitly click "Save Result".
1c. Information from Third Parties
- Google AdSense: We display advertisements served by Google AdSense. Google may use cookies and tracking technologies to show personalised ads. See Google's Privacy Policy for details.
- Analytics: We may use anonymised analytics (no personally identifiable data) to understand how tools are used.
2. How We Use Your Information
- To provide and improve our free calculator tools and services.
- To respond to your contact form enquiries within 24 hours.
- To maintain your saved calculations if you have a registered account.
- To detect and prevent spam, abuse, and fraudulent activity using rate limiting.
- To display relevant advertisements via Google AdSense (which funds our free service).
- To comply with legal obligations.
3. Cookies
We use the following cookies:
- Session cookie (PHPSESSID): Required for login functionality. Session-scoped, deleted when you close your browser.
- Google AdSense cookies: Set by Google for ad personalisation. You can opt out via Google Ad Settings.
We do not use tracking cookies of our own beyond what is necessary to run the site.
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share data only:
- With Google (for AdSense ad serving) — governed by Google's own privacy policy.
- With hosting providers (Hostinger) who process data solely to run our servers.
- When required by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights.
5. Data Retention
- Account data: Retained while your account is active. You may request deletion at any time by emailing us.
- Contact messages: Retained for 12 months, then deleted.
- Hashed IP logs: Retained for 90 days for security purposes.
6. Your Rights
Depending on your location (India — DPDP Act 2023; EU — GDPR; Australia — Privacy Act 1988), you may have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate data.
- Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten").
- Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is consent-based).
- Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, email us at contact@vidshog.com. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Children's Privacy
Our Service is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us immediately and we will delete it.
8. Security
We implement appropriate technical safeguards including:
- HTTPS encryption for all data in transit.
- Bcrypt password hashing (cost factor 12) for all stored passwords.
- One-way SHA-256 hashing of IP addresses before storage.
- Rate limiting on all form submissions to prevent abuse.
- CSRF tokens on all state-changing forms.
No method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data using industry-standard practices.
9. Links to Other Websites
Our tools may contain affiliate links to third-party websites (e.g., ClearTax, Zerodha, Canstar). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new policy on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of our Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new policy.
11. Contact Us
For any privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns: