Privacy Policy
Last Updated: January 19, 2025
TL;DR - The Short Version:
TextDiffOnline.com is privacy-first. All text comparison happens in your browser. We don't store, transmit, or access your text data. We use Google AdSense for ads, which may use cookies for personalization. That's it.
1. Introduction
Welcome to TextDiffOnline.com ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about our data practices. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information when you use our website.
2. Information We Don't Collect
We want to be crystal clear about what we do not collect:
- Your Text Data: All text comparisons are processed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device or reaches our servers.
- User Accounts: We don't require registration or accounts, so we don't collect names, emails, passwords, or any personal identifiers.
- Uploaded Files: Currently, our service processes text directly in the browser without file uploads to servers.
- IP Addresses: We do not log or store your IP address.
- Usage Data: We do not track individual user behavior or create user profiles.
3. Information We Do Collect
3.1 Google AdSense Cookies
We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on our website. Google AdSense may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites
- Measure ad effectiveness
- Provide aggregated statistics about ad performance
Google uses cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings.
3.2 Analytics (Optional - If Implemented)
We may use privacy-respecting analytics services (such as Cloudflare Web Analytics or similar) to understand aggregate website traffic patterns. These services:
- Do not use cookies
- Do not track individual users
- Provide only aggregated statistics (e.g., total page views, country-level geographic data)
- Are GDPR and CCPA compliant
3.3 Local Browser Storage
We use your browser's localStorage to save:
- Theme Preference: Your choice of light or dark mode
- URL Hash Parameters: If you share a comparison via URL, the text and settings are encoded in the URL hash (never sent to servers)
This data stays on your device and can be cleared by clearing your browser's local storage.
4. How We Use Information
Since we don't collect personal data, there's minimal "use" of information:
- Google AdSense: Google uses cookies to display relevant ads and measure ad performance
- Analytics: Aggregate statistics help us understand website popularity and improve the service
- Theme Preference: Stored locally to remember your display preference
5. Third-Party Services
5.1 Google AdSense
We participate in the Google AdSense program. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on our site. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to our site and/or other sites on the Internet.
Learn More:
5.2 CDN Services
We load the diff-match-patch library from unpkg.com (a public CDN). This CDN may collect standard web server logs (IP addresses, user agents) for operational purposes. We do not control unpkg.com's data practices.
6. Data Security
Because all text processing happens in your browser:
- Your text is never transmitted over the internet to our servers
- There is no server-side database storing your data
- The URL hash feature uses client-side encoding (Base64) and never sends data to our backend
We use HTTPS encryption to secure the delivery of our website's code to your browser.
7. Your Rights and Choices
7.1 European Users (GDPR)
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under GDPR:
- Right to Access: Since we don't collect personal data, there is no data to access
- Right to Erasure: Clear your browser cookies and localStorage to remove any stored preferences
- Right to Object: You can opt out of personalized Google ads via Google's Ads Settings
7.2 California Users (CCPA)
We do not sell personal information. We do not collect personal information in the traditional sense (no names, emails, addresses, etc.).
7.3 Cookie Management
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
Note: Disabling all cookies may affect ad display but will not impact the core text comparison functionality.
8. Children's Privacy
Our service is not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Since we don't collect personal data at all, this is not a concern for our service.
9. International Data Transfers
Since your text data never leaves your browser, there are no international data transfers of your text. Google AdSense may transfer cookies data internationally as part of their ad serving - refer to Google's privacy policy for details.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices, please contact us:
- Website: TextDiffOnline.com
- Contact Page: Contact Form
12. Data Processing Summary
What we collect: Google AdSense cookies, theme preference (localStorage)
What we don't collect: Your text data, personal information, IP addresses, user accounts
Where data is processed: Your browser (client-side), Google's ad servers (cookies only)
How long we keep data: We don't store any data on our servers. Browser localStorage persists until you clear it.
Your rights: Opt out of personalized ads, clear browser storage, disable cookies