Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 2026

1. Who We Are

MiniURL ("we", "us", "our") operates the URL shortening service available at www.miniurl.uk. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you use our Service.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at legal@miniurl.uk.

2. Data We Collect

We collect the following data when you use our Service:

• Account data — your email address and hashed password when you register
• URL data — the original URLs you submit and the shortened URLs we generate
• Usage data — IP address, browser type, device information, and general location when you visit or use the Service
• Click analytics — the number of clicks, referrer URL, and country of origin for your shortened links
• Verification data — temporary tokens used to verify your email address

3. How We Use Your Data

We use the data we collect to:

• Provide and operate the URL shortening service
• Verify your identity and manage your account
• Show you click analytics for links you have created
• Detect, investigate, and prevent abuse, spam, or malicious activity
• Improve and maintain the performance and security of the Service
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not use your data for advertising purposes and we do not sell your personal data to third parties.

4. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Service, maintain your login session, and detect abuse. By using the Service, you consent to our use of cookies.

We do not use third-party advertising or tracking cookies.

5. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. Unverified accounts and their associated data are automatically deleted after 24 hours. If you delete your account, your personal data will be removed from our systems within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it by law.

Anonymised or aggregated analytics data (e.g. total click counts) may be retained indefinitely as it cannot be used to identify you.

6. Sharing Your Data

We do not sell or rent your personal data. We may share your data with:

• Service providers — third parties who help us operate the Service (e.g. email delivery, hosting), who are bound by data processing agreements
• Law enforcement — where we are required to do so by law, court order, or regulatory authority
• Successors — in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of that transaction

7. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Passwords are stored using industry-standard hashing and are never stored in plain text.

However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. You use the Service at your own risk and are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential.

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and applicable data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure — request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction — request that we limit how we use your data
• Portability — request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Objection — object to our processing of your data in certain circumstances

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at legal@miniurl.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

9. Third-Party Links

Our Service is used to shorten links that may point to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before submitting any personal data.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify registered users of significant changes by email. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of England and Wales and we operate in accordance with UK GDPR.

13. Contact

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at legal@miniurl.uk.