Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

LinkGuard.ai ("we," "our," "us," or the "Company") operates the LinkGuard.ai website and related services (collectively, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, create an account, or use our services.

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Service, regardless of geographic location, including but not limited to users in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:

• "Personal Data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
• "Processing" means any operation performed on Personal Data, including collection, storage, use, and deletion.
• "Data Controller" means the entity that determines the purposes and means of Processing Personal Data.
• "Data Processor" means the entity that Processes Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller.
• "User" means any individual who accesses or uses the Service.
• "Account" means a unique account created for you to access our Service.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you register for an account or use our Service, we may collect:

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you access our Service, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers, screen resolution
• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time and date of access, referring URLs, click patterns
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address
• Technical Data: Error logs, performance data, diagnostic information

3.3 Link Monitoring Data

To provide our core service, we collect and process:

• URLs submitted for monitoring (source and target URLs)
• Anchor text and link attributes (rel, nofollow status)
• Link status history and changes
• Page content excerpts related to link placement
• Search engine indexation status
• Domain and page metrics

4. Third-Party Authentication Providers

We offer authentication through third-party services. When you choose to authenticate using these providers, we receive certain information as described below:

4.1 Google OAuth

When you sign in with Google, we receive:

• Google Account ID (unique identifier)
• Email address
• Email verification status
• Full name
• Profile picture URL

4.2 LinkedIn OAuth

When you sign in with LinkedIn, we receive:

• LinkedIn User ID (sub claim)
• Email address
• Email verification status
• Full name (given name and family name)
• Profile picture URL

4.3 Telegram Login

When you sign in with Telegram, we receive:

• Telegram User ID
• First name and last name (if provided)
• Username (if provided)
• Profile photo URL (if available)

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

5.1 Service Provision

• Creating and managing your account
• Providing link monitoring and alerting services
• Processing your requests and transactions
• Delivering features and functionality you request

5.2 Communication

• Sending service-related notifications (link status changes, alerts)
• Responding to your inquiries and support requests
• Sending important updates about our Service
• Marketing communications (with your consent, where required)

5.3 Service Improvement

• Analyzing usage patterns to improve user experience
• Developing new features and services
• Conducting research and analytics
• Testing and debugging

5.4 Security and Compliance

• Protecting against unauthorized access and fraud
• Enforcing our Terms of Service
• Complying with legal obligations
• Responding to legal requests and preventing harm

6. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process Personal Data based on the following legal grounds:

• Contract Performance: Processing necessary to perform our contract with you (providing the Service)
• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests (improving services, fraud prevention)
• Consent: Processing based on your explicit consent (marketing communications)
• Legal Obligation: Processing necessary to comply with legal requirements

7. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your Personal Data to third parties for their marketing purposes.

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

7.1 Service Providers

We share data with third-party vendors who assist us in operating our Service, including:

• Cloud hosting providers (infrastructure)
• Email delivery services (notifications)
• Payment processors (billing)
• Analytics providers (usage analysis)
• Customer support tools

7.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to valid legal requests, including:

• Subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes
• Requests from law enforcement or government agencies
• To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• To investigate or prevent illegal activities

7.3 Business Transfers

In connection with any merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as a business asset. You will be notified of any such change.

7.4 With Your Consent

We may share information with third parties when you explicitly authorize us to do so.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence, including the United States and other countries where our service providers operate.

For transfers from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we use:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Data Processing Agreements with our service providers
• Appropriate safeguards as required by applicable law

9. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit; encryption at rest for sensitive data
• Password Security: bcrypt hashing with minimum 12 rounds
• Access Controls: Role-based access control and authentication
• Infrastructure: Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security updates
• Monitoring: Continuous security monitoring and logging
• Audits: Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing

10. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

We may retain certain information longer if required by law or for legitimate business purposes such as fraud prevention, dispute resolution, or enforcing our agreements.

11. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the following rights regarding your Personal Data:

• Access: Request a copy of your Personal Data we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your Personal Data
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@linkguard.ai. We will respond within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

12.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request information about the categories and specific pieces of Personal Data we have collected about you.

12.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request deletion of your Personal Data, subject to certain exceptions.

12.3 Right to Opt-Out

You have the right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of your Personal Data. We do not sell Personal Data.

12.4 Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

12.5 Categories of Information Collected

In the past 12 months, we have collected: identifiers, commercial information, internet activity, and professional information as described in Section 3.

To submit a request, email privacy@linkguard.ai with subject line "California Privacy Request."

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland:

13.1 Data Controller

LinkGuard.ai is the Data Controller for the Personal Data we collect through our Service.

13.2 Your GDPR Rights

In addition to the rights listed in Section 11, you have the right to:

• Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (your local Data Protection Authority)
• Request information about international transfers and safeguards
• Object to automated decision-making and profiling

13.3 Data Protection Officer

For GDPR-related inquiries, contact: dpo@linkguard.ai

14. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 16 (or the applicable age of consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect Personal Data from children.

If we become aware that we have collected Personal Data from a child without appropriate consent, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

15. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing activities. For detailed information about our use of cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.

15.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for the Service to function (authentication, security)
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our Service
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

15.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect Service functionality.

16. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

16.1 No Warranty

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.

16.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKGUARD.IO, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Any loss of profits, revenue, data, or use
• Any damages resulting from unauthorized access to or alteration of your data
• Any damages resulting from interruption or cessation of the Service
• Any damages exceeding the amount paid by you for the Service in the 12 months preceding the claim

16.3 User Responsibility

You acknowledge and agree that:

• You are solely responsible for the data you submit to the Service
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You will not use the Service for any unlawful purpose
• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Any reliance on information provided by the Service is at your own risk

16.4 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless LinkGuard.ai and its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Service or violation of this Privacy Policy.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with the "Last Updated" date revised accordingly.

For material changes, we will provide notice through:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on our website
• In-app notification

Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

18. Contact Information

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

• Privacy Inquiries: privacy@linkguard.ai
• Data Protection Officer: dpo@linkguard.ai
• General Support: support@linkguard.ai

We will make reasonable efforts to respond to your inquiry within 30 days.