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Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 1, 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to AZlinks (the "Website", "Service", "we", "us", "our"), accessible at https://azlinks.eu. We provide a service that allows users to associate URLs of online content (like videos from platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, etc.) with other web links.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect, and share your personal information when you visit our Website or use our Service, whether you are an anonymous visitor or a registered user. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your data in an open and transparent manner.

By accessing or using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with our Service:

a) Information Collected from All Visitors (including Anonymous Users):

  • Submitted URLs: When you use the public search feature, we collect the content URL you submit to find associated links.
  • Technical Information (Collected Automatically): Like most websites and online services, our underlying infrastructure (Firebase/Google Cloud Platform) automatically logs certain information when you access the Service. This may include your IP address, approximate geographic location derived from IP, request timestamps, and potentially basic browser/device type information contained in standard request headers. This data is primarily used for service operation, security, and diagnostics.

b) Information Collected from Registered Users:

  • Account Information:
    • When you register using email: Your email address and a securely hashed version of your password (we never store your plain text password).
    • When you register/log in using TikTok: We receive information from TikTok via Firebase Authentication based on your authorization. This includes your TikTok display name (username) and potentially the email address associated with your TikTok account.
    • Firebase User ID (`uid`): A unique identifier assigned by Firebase Authentication to your account.
  • User-Generated Content:
    • Original URLs: The content URLs you submit to create link entries.
    • Target URLs: The web links you associate with an Original URL.
    • Descriptions: Optional text descriptions you add to your link entries.
  • Automatically Collected Information: In addition to the technical information collected from all visitors, we (via Firebase) collect:
    • Timestamps: Account creation time, link entry creation and update times (`createdAt`, `updatedAt`).
    • Usage Data: Records of actions performed while logged in (e.g., creating, editing, deleting entries) are logged by our backend functions (Firebase Functions) for operational and security purposes.

3. How We Collect Information

  • Directly from You: When you fill out forms (search, registration, login, creating/editing entries), interact with the TikTok login process, or submit data via our API.
  • Automatically: Through the standard operation of our servers and Firebase services (logging IP addresses, timestamps, session management) and when data is created/updated in our database (Firestore timestamps).
  • From Third Parties: Specifically from TikTok when you choose to use TikTok login, as authorized by you during the login process.

4. How We Use Your Information (Purpose of Processing)

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To Provide and Maintain the Service: To allow users to find associated links for submitted URLs, and for registered users to create, manage, and display their link entries. This includes resolving and cleaning submitted URLs.
  • To Create and Manage User Accounts: To authenticate users, secure accounts, enable login (including via TikTok), and facilitate password recovery.
  • To Link Content to Users: To associate created link entries with the correct user account using the Firebase User ID.
  • To Verify Content Ownership (TikTok): We may use your linked TikTok display name to verify that you own the TikTok video you are associating links with, as described during the submission process.
  • For Security and Abuse Prevention: To monitor for suspicious activity, prevent fraud, protect the integrity of our Service, and analyze security logs (including IP addresses).
  • To Communicate with You: Primarily for account-related matters (e.g., security notifications, significant policy updates). We will not send promotional emails without your explicit consent.
  • For Auditing, Debugging, and Service Improvement: To understand basic usage patterns (through server logs, not detailed analytics tracking), troubleshoot issues, and maintain service integrity.
  • To Comply with Legal Obligations: To respond to lawful requests, court orders, or legal processes, if required.
  • To Enforce Our Terms of Service.

5. Data Storage and Security

  • Storage Location: Your personal data, including user profiles and link entries, is stored using Google Firebase's Firestore database. Backend function logs containing operational data (like IP addresses, timestamps, function calls) are stored within Firebase Functions logging infrastructure. All data resides within Google Cloud Platform's secure environment.
  • Security Measures: We rely significantly on the robust security features provided by Google Cloud Platform and Firebase. This includes:
    • HTTPS Encryption: All communication between your browser and our Service is encrypted using HTTPS/TLS.
    • Secure Authentication: Firebase Authentication handles user login and password hashing securely.
    • Access Controls: We utilize Firebase backend functions and Firestore Security Rules designed to restrict data access, aiming to ensure users can only access and manage their own data. Direct database write access is restricted.
    • Infrastructure Security: We rely on Google's physical and network security measures for the underlying infrastructure.
  • Data Retention: We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with the Service. Server logs may be retained for a limited period for security and diagnostic purposes. When you delete your account (see Section 7), we initiate the deletion of your account information and associated link entries from our primary databases, subject to necessary retention for legal or security reasons and delays inherent in deletion processes and backups. Firebase may retain backup data for a period according to their policies.

6. Data Sharing and Third Parties

We value your privacy and do not sell your personal information. We only share your data in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers / Data Processors: We use Google (specifically Firebase and Google Cloud Platform) to host our website, store our data (Firestore), handle authentication (Firebase Authentication), and run our backend code (Firebase Functions). Google acts as a data processor on our behalf and only processes your data according to our instructions and their stringent privacy and security commitments (including Data Processing Agreements).
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order, government agency, or subpoena).
  • To Protect Rights and Safety: We may share information if we believe it's necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of AZlinks (individual), our users, or the public, or to detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues.
  • Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing due diligence, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, sale of company assets, or transition of service to another provider, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to standard confidentiality agreements.

We do not use Google Analytics or other third-party analytics or advertising services that track user behavior across sites.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location (particularly if you are in the European Economic Area, UK, California, or Canada), you have certain rights regarding your personal data. We provide the following mechanisms to exercise these rights:

  • Right to Access: You can view your profile information (email, linked TikTok name if applicable) and your created link entries directly within your user dashboard/settings page. You can also request a copy of the personal data we hold about you by contacting us at the email below.
  • Right to Rectification: You can edit and update your link entries (URLs, descriptions) directly via your dashboard. You cannot change your registered email address after account creation for security reasons. If other profile data accessible via login (e.g., TikTok display name) is incorrect, it may need to be updated within your TikTok account.
  • Right to Erasure (Deletion):
    • You can delete individual link entries using the delete function within your dashboard.
    • You can delete your entire account and all associated link entries by using the "Delete Account" function available in your user settings page. This action will trigger the deletion of your Firebase Authentication account and the associated data in our Firestore database, subject to the retention details in Section 5.
  • Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of the data you have provided to us (specifically, your link entries) in a commonly used, machine-readable format by contacting us at the email below.
  • Right to Object/Restrict Processing: As we do not use your data for non-essential purposes like marketing or third-party analytics tracking, the primary way to object to processing is to cease using the Service or delete your account.

To exercise any rights requiring direct contact, please email us at azale29702@gmail.com. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws. We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

8. Cookie Policy and Local Storage

We use cookies and similar browser storage technologies (like `localStorage` or `sessionStorage`) sparingly and primarily for essential functionality:

  • Session Management: Firebase Authentication uses browser storage to securely manage your login session, allowing you to stay logged in without needing to re-enter your password on each page. This is essential for using registered user features.
  • Consent Preferences: We use browser storage to remember your acknowledgement or preferences regarding our use of cookies/storage, as indicated via our consent banner.

We do not use cookies for analytics, advertising, or tracking user behavior across different websites.

Our cookie consent banner informs you about this essential usage. Because we only use essential storage, there are no non-essential categories to opt-out of. You can typically clear cookies and site data through your browser settings if you wish to remove stored session or consent information, but this may require you to log in again or re-acknowledge the consent banner.

9. International Data Transfers

Our Service is hosted and operated using Google Cloud Platform and Firebase infrastructure. This means your personal data may be processed and stored on servers located outside of your home country, including in the United States and other locations where Google operates data centers. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country.

We rely on Google's established mechanisms for lawfully transferring data internationally, such as their Data Processing Agreements which incorporate Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable, to ensure your data receives adequate protection wherever it is processed.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for or directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. When registering for an account, users are required to confirm that they meet the minimum age requirement (13 years or older) by agreeing to our Terms of Service. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.

If you believe we might have any information from or about a child under 13, please contact us.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, service offerings, or legal requirements. If we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top.

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

azale29702@gmail.com