Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 28, 2025

1. Introduction

UsefulLinks ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws in the European Union.

2. Data Controller

UsefulLinks is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this document.

3. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following personal information:

  • Name and email address (when you create an account)
  • Profile information (optional)
  • Communication preferences
  • Information you provide when contacting us

Automatically Collected Information

When you use our Service, we automatically collect:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device information
  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • Referring website
  • Date and time of visits

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Service. You can control cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner. See our Cookie Policy for more details.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data on the following legal bases:

  • Consent: For analytics cookies (you can withdraw consent at any time)
  • Contract: To provide our services when you create an account
  • Legitimate Interests: For service improvement and security purposes
  • Legal Obligation: When required by law

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for:

  • Providing and maintaining our Service
  • Notifying you about changes to our Service
  • Providing customer support
  • Gathering analysis to improve our Service
  • Monitoring the usage of our Service
  • Detecting and preventing technical issues
  • Fulfilling legal obligations

6. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party companies that help us provide our Service
  • Analytics Providers: Google Analytics (when consented)
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
  • Business Transfers: In connection with mergers or acquisitions

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be processed in locations outside your country. Where required by law, we will use appropriate safeguards for such transfers.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. Retention periods vary based on:

  • Account data: As long as your account is active
  • Analytics data: up to 26 months, unless you withdraw consent earlier
  • Legal obligations: As required by applicable laws

9. Your Rights Under GDPR

Under the GDPR, you have the following rights:

  • Right to Access: Request copies of your personal data
  • Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of processing
  • Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
  • Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please email us at privacy@usefullinks.org with your request. Please include "GDPR Request" in the subject line and specify which right you wish to exercise. We will respond to your request within one month as required by law.

10. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

11. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16.

12. Cookie Policy

We use two types of cookies:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Essential for core functionality (no consent required), including secure login/session and certain functional preferences you explicitly set (e.g., chosen search‑engine option).

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors use our website (only used if you consent)

You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through our cookie consent banner or by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer.

13. 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. For material changes, we will provide a more prominent notice.

14. Supervisory Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority if you believe we have not complied with applicable data protection laws.

15. Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your GDPR rights, or for any privacy-related concerns, please contact us at privacy@usefullinks.org. For GDPR data rights requests, please include "GDPR Request" in your email subject line.