Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy ("Policy") describes how WhatsMyName.cc ("Company", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information when you visit or use our website located at https://www.whatsmyname.cc (the "Website" or "Service").

This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service. By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use our Service.

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of the Service following any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Service to you. The types of information we collect include:

1.1 Information You Voluntarily Provide

Search Queries

When you use our username search functionality, we temporarily process the usernames or keywords you enter. This information is used solely to query third-party platforms and provide you with search results. We implement the following practices regarding search queries:

• Search queries are processed in real-time and are not permanently stored in our databases
• We do not link search queries to your personal identity or account
• Temporary logs may be maintained for up to 24 hours for technical troubleshooting purposes only
• We do not sell, share, or monetize your search history

Contact Information

If you contact us via email, feedback forms, or other communication channels, we may collect:

• Your email address
• Your name (if provided)
• The content of your message or inquiry
• Any attachments or additional information you choose to provide

This information is used solely to respond to your inquiries and improve our Service. We retain this information for a period of up to 2 years unless you request deletion earlier.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and your usage of our Service. This information may include:

Device and Browser Information

• IP Address: Your Internet Protocol (IP) address, which may be anonymized or truncated for privacy purposes
• Browser Type and Version: Information about the web browser you are using (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
• Operating System: The operating system of your device (e.g., Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)
• Device Type: Whether you are using a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device
• Screen Resolution: Your device's screen dimensions
• Language Preferences: Your browser's language settings

Usage Information

• Pages Visited: The specific pages and features of our Website that you access
• Time and Date: The date and time of your visits
• Session Duration: How long you spend on our Website
• Referring URL: The website that directed you to our Service
• Click Patterns: How you interact with our Website's interface

1.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and store information about your interactions with our Website. Cookies are small data files placed on your device that help us improve our Service and your experience.

Types of Cookies We Use

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View what cookies are stored on your device
• Delete individual cookies or all cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies from being set
• Receive notifications when a cookie is set

Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our Website and limit your ability to use certain features.

2. Google AdSense and Third-Party Advertising

We use Google AdSense and other third-party advertising networks to display advertisements on our Website. These advertising partners may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing activities across different websites over time.

2.1 Google AdSense

Google AdSense is an advertising service provided by Google LLC. Google uses the DoubleClick DART cookie and other technologies to serve advertisements based on your browsing history and interests.

Information Collected by Google AdSense

• Your IP address (may be anonymized)
• Browser and device information
• Pages you visit on our Website
• Advertisements you click on
• Your interactions with ads
• Information from cookies placed by Google

2.2 Opting Out of Personalized Advertising

You have several options to opt out of personalized advertising:

• Google Ad Settings: Visit the Google Ad Settings page to manage your ad personalization preferences
• Network Advertising Initiative: Visit the NAI opt-out page to opt out of targeted advertising from member companies
• Digital Advertising Alliance: Use the DAA opt-out tool to manage ad preferences
• Your Online Choices (EU): European users can visit Your Online Choices

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Provision and Improvement

• Provide Services: To operate and maintain our username search functionality
• Process Requests: To process your search queries and deliver results
• Improve Services: To analyze usage patterns and improve our Website's functionality
• Technical Support: To diagnose technical problems and provide support
• New Features: To develop new features and services based on user needs

3.2 Communication

• To respond to your inquiries, comments, or questions
• To send service-related announcements when necessary
• To provide customer support

3.3 Security and Legal Compliance

• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or security breaches
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Rights Protection: To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property, and that of our users and the public
• Enforcement: To enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements

3.4 Analytics and Advertising

• To analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• To display relevant advertisements through our advertising partners
• To measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, our legal basis for collecting and using your personal information depends on the specific information collected and the context in which we collect it:

• Consent: Where you have given us explicit consent to process your personal data for specific purposes (e.g., accepting cookies)
• Contractual Necessity: Where processing is necessary to provide you with our Service
• Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as improving our Service, preventing fraud, and ensuring security, provided these interests do not override your rights
• Legal Obligation: Where we need to process your data to comply with applicable laws and regulations

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

5.1 Service Providers

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Web hosting and infrastructure providers
• Analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Advertising networks (e.g., Google AdSense)
• Email service providers

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes of providing services to us and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

5.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Valid legal processes (e.g., subpoenas, court orders)
• Government requests
• To protect our legal rights or defend against legal claims
• To prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing
• To protect the safety of our users or the public

5.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email and/or prominent notice on our Website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Retention Periods

• Search Queries: Not permanently stored; temporary processing only
• Server Logs: Up to 90 days for security and technical purposes
• Contact Information: Up to 2 years or until you request deletion
• Analytics Data: Up to 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Cookie Data: Varies by cookie type (see Cookie section above)

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption: Use of SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure Infrastructure: Hosting on secure, reputable cloud infrastructure
• Regular Updates: Regular security patches and updates to our systems
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats and vulnerabilities

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. We are committed to honoring these rights in accordance with applicable laws.

8.1 Rights Under GDPR (EEA, UK, Switzerland)

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of your personal data that we hold
• Right to Rectification: You can request correction of inaccurate personal data
• Right to Erasure: You can request deletion of your personal data under certain circumstances
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request limitation of how we use your data
• Right to Data Portability: You can request to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to Object: You can object to processing of your personal data in certain circumstances
• Right to Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent at any time where we rely on consent to process your data
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint with a supervisory authority

8.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: You can request information about the personal data we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: You can opt out of the sale of your personal information (Note: We do not sell personal information)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights

8.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to your request within 30 days (or sooner as required by applicable law). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

9. OSINT and Public Data Disclaimer

9.1 Nature of Our Service

• Public Data Only: Our tool queries only publicly accessible information from third-party websites and platforms. We do not access private accounts, bypass security measures, or circumvent privacy settings.
• No Data Hosting: We do not store, host, or control the user profiles or content found in search results. We provide links to external platforms where the information exists.
• Real-Time Queries: Search results are generated in real-time by querying third-party platforms. We do not maintain a database of user profiles.

9.2 Third-Party Platform Data

The data displayed in our search results is owned and controlled by the respective third-party platforms (e.g., Instagram, Twitter, TikTok). To request removal or modification of profile data:

• Contact the specific platform directly using their privacy settings or support channels
• Adjust your privacy settings on the respective platform
• Request data deletion from the platform where your data is hosted

We have no ability to modify or delete data hosted on third-party platforms.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that are different from the laws of your country.

When we transfer personal data outside of the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
• Binding Corporate Rules for transfers within corporate groups
• Transfers to countries deemed to provide adequate data protection

11. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 16 ("Children"). We do not knowingly collect personal information from Children. If you are a parent or guardian and you become aware that your Child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a Child without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information from our servers promptly.

12. Third-Party Links

Our Service contains links to third-party websites, platforms, and services that are not operated or controlled by us. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of every website you visit.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. Your interactions with these third-party sites are governed by their respective privacy policies.

13. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to websites you visit indicating that you do not want to be tracked. Currently, there is no uniform standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals. As such, our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals. However, you can manage your cookie preferences and opt out of interest-based advertising as described in this Policy.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes to this Policy, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• Post the updated Privacy Policy on our Website
• For significant changes, provide more prominent notice (such as a banner on our Website)

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 indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Us

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

For data protection inquiries from EU residents, you may also contact your local data protection authority.