Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you register or use LinkVault, you may provide:

• Account information: Username, email address, and password when you sign up.
• Profile information: Optional profile photo, bio, and website URL.
• Content: Links you submit, descriptions, tags, and comments.
• Communications: Messages you send us via the contact form or email.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical data:

• Log data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, and pages visited.
• Usage data: Features you use, links you click, and interactions with the site.
• Cookies: Small data files stored in your browser (see Section 4).
• Device information: Hardware model, operating system version, and unique device identifiers.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To create and manage your account and authenticate your identity.
• To operate, maintain, and improve our platform and services.
• To send you service-related emails such as account confirmations and password resets.
• To send optional newsletters and updates (only with your explicit consent, and you can unsubscribe anytime).
• To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and abuse.
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.
• To analyse usage trends and improve user experience.

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted service providers who assist us (e.g. hosting, analytics) and who are contractually obligated to keep it confidential.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government authority.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• With Your Consent: We may share information in other ways with your explicit permission.

Public information — such as your username, submitted links, and public profile — is visible to all users and indexed by search engines.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential cookies: Required for the site to function (e.g. session cookies for authentication). These cannot be disabled.
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how users interact with our site (e.g. page views, session duration). You can opt out.
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences between visits.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect site functionality.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organisational measures to protect your information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include:

• Encrypted data transmission via HTTPS/TLS.
• Secure, hashed password storage using bcrypt.
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis.

While we take data security seriously, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as necessary to provide you with our services. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g. fraud prevention) even after account deletion.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to certain types of data processing, including direct marketing.
• Restriction: Request that we restrict processing of your data in certain circumstances.
• Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at admin@linkvault.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

LinkVault is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

9. Third-Party Links

Our site contains links to third-party websites submitted by the community. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on servers located outside your country. By using our service, you consent to such transfers. We take steps to ensure your data receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by email or by a prominent notice on our website prior to the change taking effect. Your continued use of the service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

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

• Email: admin@linkvault.com
• Website: Contact Form
• Address: LinkVault, 123 Web Street, Internet City, 10001