WindowsForum.com — Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 2025

1) Who We Are & Scope

We are WindowsForum.com (“WindowsForum,” “we,” “our,” “us”). We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. If you have questions, please contact us via the Contact Us page.

2) Information We Collect

We may collect the following personal data:

• Account data: name/username, email address.
• Network data: IP address (recorded when you perform certain actions); IPs are never publicly visible.
• Profile data: any information you choose to add to your profile.
• Usage/technical data: device/browser information, pages viewed, and interactions (see Cookie Policy).

We collect data when you:

• Register for an account.
• Submit forms (e.g., contact forms).
• Browse or interact with the site and services.
• Update profile fields or preferences.

3) How We Use Your Information

• Account & community features: to register you as a member, authenticate access, and enable posting, replies, and other forum functions.
• Notifications: to send you service-related messages (e.g., replies, mentions, security notices). You can manage email settings in your profile.
• Security & moderation: to detect/prevent abuse, enforce our Terms, and protect users (e.g., IP logging for specific actions).
• Improvement & analytics: to analyze usage and improve site performance, features, and user experience.
• Announcements (optional): from time to time we may email important updates or newsletters; you can opt in/out in your profile.

4) Legal Bases (where applicable)

• Contract: providing the site’s core features you request as a registered user.
• Legitimate interests: site safety, fraud prevention, service improvements, and community moderation.
• Consent: optional emails, certain cookies/analytics, or profile fields you choose to share.
• Legal obligation: responding to lawful requests or compliance requirements.

5) Data Sharing

We do not sell or trade your personally identifiable information. We may share information with trusted service providers who operate our site (e.g., hosting, analytics, anti-spam) under confidentiality and data-protection obligations, and as required by law or to enforce site policies, protect rights, property, and safety. We may share aggregated, non-personal information for analytics and reporting.

6) Keeping Your Data Secure

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to help protect personal data. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

7) Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that help us provide functionality (e.g., staying logged in, remembering preferences) and understand site usage. Third parties (e.g., analytics/ad networks) may also set cookies. You can control cookies through your browser settings. For details about the specific cookies we use, see our Cookie Policy page.

8) Analytics (Google Analytics 4)

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4), which is designed with privacy in mind (for example, GA4 does not log or store IP addresses and avoids collecting personally identifiable information). GA4 helps us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it. To enhance analytics, we also use an add-on developed by I/O Labs. You can manage Google advertising personalization and certain analytics preferences in your Google account settings.

9) Progressive Web App (PWA)

Our site may be installable as a Progressive Web App (PWA). The PWA can store limited data locally (e.g., cache) to improve performance and enable certain offline capabilities. You can remove cached data via your browser/app settings or uninstall the PWA at any time. Our PWA was refined using tooling from the makers of the “App for Cloudflare®” plugin.

10) Your Rights

• Access/Portability: request a copy of your personal data.
• Rectification: ask us to correct incomplete or inaccurate information.
• Erasure: request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal/operational limits).
• Preferences: manage email and communication preferences in your profile.

To exercise these rights, please contact us via the Contact Us page. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

11) International Transfers

Your information may be processed in the country where you live or in other countries (including the United States) where our service providers operate. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards for cross-border data transfers.

12) Children’s Privacy

Our services are intended for individuals aged 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal data, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

13) Acceptance of This Policy

Your continued use of the site signifies your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. During registration, we may request your explicit acceptance.

14) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date above. Continued use after changes means you accept the updated Policy.

15) Contact Us

If you have questions about your personal information or this Policy, please reach out via the site’s Contact Us page.