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Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 8, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what information URLMode (“URLMode”, “we”, “us”) collects when you use urlmode.com, our short-link domain fvj.io and our free online tools (together, the “Service”), how we use it, who we share it with and the choices and rights you have. By using the Service you agree to this policy.

1. Summary

  • Most of our tools (image, PDF, audio, video, text, design, calculator and developer tools) run entirely in your browser. Files and text you use with them are never uploaded to our servers.
  • For server-based checks (for example SEO, DNS, WHOIS or speed tests) we receive only the URL, domain or keyword you submit.
  • We use cookies for logins, preferences and security, and Google AdSense may use cookies to show ads.
  • We do not sell your personal information.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you give us

  • Account details — when you register: your email address, an optional name and a securely hashed password. If you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email address and Google account ID from Google (we never see your Google password).
  • Short links and QR codes — the destination URL, optional title, custom back-half, expiry date or password you set, and the time of creation.
  • Messages — when you use our contact form or report a link: your name (optional), email address, topic and message.
  • Tool input — for server-based tools, the URL, domain, email address, keyword or text you submit for checking.

2.2 Information collected automatically

  • Technical and log data — IP address, browser type, device type, referring page, pages requested and the date and time of the request. We use it to run, secure and improve the Service and to enforce usage limits.
  • Short-link click statistics — when someone opens a short link we record the time, approximate country (looked up from the IP address; the IP address itself is not stored with the click), the referring website and the device type. The link owner can see these statistics in aggregated form.
  • Cookies and similar technologies — see section 6 and our Cookie Policy.

3. How we use information

  • To provide the Service: run tools, create and redirect short links and QR codes, and show statistics to link owners.
  • To create and manage your account and keep you signed in.
  • To keep the Service safe: detect and prevent spam, phishing, malware links, abuse, fraud and attacks, and to apply fair-usage rate limits.
  • To answer your messages and support requests.
  • To understand how the Service is used and to improve it.
  • To show advertising that helps keep the Service free (see section 5).
  • To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

Legal bases (EEA/UK users): we process personal data to perform our contract with you (providing the Service and your account), for our legitimate interests (security, abuse prevention, improving the Service), with your consent (for example personalised advertising cookies where required) and to comply with the law.

4. How we share information

We do not sell personal information. We share it only:

  • With service providers who host and operate the Service for us (our servers are located in the European Union), under confidentiality obligations.
  • With Google for advertising (Google AdSense), sign-in (Google Sign-In) and certain tools, as described below.
  • Publicly, by design — a short link is public: anyone who has it can open it and reach its destination.
  • When required by law or to protect the rights, property and safety of URLMode, our users or others (for example responding to valid legal requests or abuse investigations).
  • In a business transfer — if URLMode is merged, sold or reorganised, information may be transferred as part of that transaction under this policy.

5. Advertising (Google AdSense)

We use Google AdSense to show ads. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user’s prior visits to this website or other websites.

  • Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet.
  • You can opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of a third-party vendor’s use of cookies for personalised advertising at www.aboutads.info or, in Europe, www.youronlinechoices.eu.
  • Learn more about how Google uses information from sites that use its services and about Google’s advertising technologies.
  • Where required by law (for example in the EEA, the UK and Switzerland) we ask for your consent before personalised ads are shown. If you do not consent, Google may show non-personalised ads, which use cookies only for purposes such as frequency capping, aggregated reporting and fraud prevention.

6. Cookies and local storage

We use a small number of first-party cookies and browser storage items:

  • um_sess — keeps you signed in and protects forms (essential; session).
  • umh and umh_v — remember for 24 hours that you passed our “I’m human” check, a self-hosted proof-of-work test with no third-party CAPTCHA and no tracking (essential).
  • um-theme and um-cookie (browser local storage) — remember your light/dark theme choice and that you have seen our cookie notice (preferences).

Third parties such as Google may set their own cookies for advertising and sign-in. Full details are in our Cookie Policy. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; some features (such as staying signed in) may then not work.

7. Google services and third-party APIs

  • Google Sign-In — if you choose “Continue with Google”, Google shares your name, email address and account ID with us so we can create or sign in to your account. Google’s Privacy Policy applies to Google’s processing. You can remove URLMode’s access at any time at myaccount.google.com/permissions.
  • YouTube API Services — our YouTube tools use YouTube API Services to read public information about videos and channels. By using these tools you agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service, and the Google Privacy Policy applies. We do not access your YouTube account and do not store your YouTube data.
  • Other public data sources — some tools query public services such as Google PageSpeed Insights, Open PageRank, RDAP/WHOIS registries, public DNS resolvers, the Internet Archive, Certificate Transparency logs (crt.sh, Cert Spotter), the W3C HTML validator, The Green Web Foundation, ExchangeRate-API and the European Central Bank. Only the URL, domain or value you submit is sent to them, and their own privacy policies apply. This product includes GeoLite2 data created by MaxMind, available from maxmind.com.

8. How long we keep information

  • Account data, short links and their statistics — until you delete them or your account.
  • Server logs and rate-limit records — normally up to 30 days, longer only when needed to investigate abuse or security incidents.
  • Cached results of public lookups — from a few minutes to a few days, to keep the Service fast.
  • Contact messages and abuse reports — as long as needed to handle them, and up to 12 months afterwards.

9. Security

We use HTTPS encryption on all pages and links, hash passwords with modern algorithms, protect forms against forgery, rate-limit requests and screen short-link destinations for known threats. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work hard to protect your information.

10. Your rights and choices

  • Access, correction and deletion — you can view and edit your links and settings in your account, and delete your account and all of its links at any time in Account → Settings.
  • EEA/UK residents (GDPR) — you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of your personal data, the right to data portability, and the right to withdraw consent at any time. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
  • California residents (CCPA/CPRA) — you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion and correction, and to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell personal information. To limit personalised advertising, use Google Ads Settings as described above. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

To exercise any right, email support@urlmode.com or use our contact form. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

11. Children’s privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA and UK), and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. International users

Our servers are located in the European Union. If you use the Service from another country, your information will be processed in the EU and, for some third-party services, in other countries where those providers operate.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above shows when it was last changed. Significant changes will be highlighted on the website. Continued use of the Service after a change means you accept the updated policy.

14. Contact us

Questions about this policy or your data? Email support@urlmode.com or use our contact form.