Privacy Policy

Effective Date: March 17, 2026

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Compact GUI (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects information when you visit compactgui.org (the “Website”). Compact GUI is a software information and download resource site dedicated to the CompactGUI disk compression utility.

By accessing or using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please discontinue use of the Website.

Information We Collect

Information You Voluntarily Provide

We keep data collection to a minimum. The only personal information we collect directly from you is what you choose to submit through our Contact page, which may include:

  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • The content of your message

We do not require user registration, accounts, or purchases of any kind. You can browse the entire Compact GUI website without providing any personal information.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, certain technical information is collected automatically through server logs and our CDN provider (Cloudflare). This includes:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Referring URL (the page that linked you here)
  • Pages visited and time spent on each page
  • Device type (desktop, mobile, or tablet)
  • Approximate geographic location at the country or region level, derived from your IP address

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Website uses cookies – small text files stored on your device – for several purposes:

Essential Cookies

WordPress places functional cookies required for the site to operate correctly. These handle basic tasks like page load performance and session management.

Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics 4)

We may use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors interact with our site. GA4 collects aggregated data such as pageviews, session duration, traffic sources, and general demographic information. GA4 does not collect personally identifiable information by default.

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

Advertising Cookies (Google AdSense)

We may display advertisements through Google AdSense, which uses cookies to serve ads based on your browsing history across websites. Third-party vendors, including Google, use these cookies to show ads relevant to your interests.

You can manage your ad personalization preferences at Google Ad Settings. You can also opt out of third-party advertising cookies at aboutads.info.

Cloudflare Cookies

Cloudflare, our CDN and security provider, may place cookies (such as __cf_bm and __cflb) to manage bot protection, load balancing, and performance optimization. These are strictly functional and do not track you for advertising purposes.

How We Use Your Information

The information we collect serves these specific purposes:

  • Operating and maintaining the Compact GUI website
  • Analyzing visitor traffic and behavior to improve content and user experience (through GA4)
  • Displaying relevant advertisements (through Google AdSense)
  • Responding to inquiries submitted through the Contact page
  • Detecting and preventing security threats, spam, and abuse (through Cloudflare)

We do not use your information for any purpose beyond what is listed above.

Third-Party Services

Our Website relies on the following third-party services, each of which operates under its own privacy policy:

Google Analytics 4 – Traffic analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Privacy Policy
Google AdSense – Display advertising service provided by Google LLC. Google Ads Policy
Cloudflare – CDN and security service provided by Cloudflare, Inc. Cloudflare Privacy Policy
WordPress – Open-source content management system. Our installation is self-hosted, meaning no visitor data is sent to WordPress.org.

We do not control how these third-party services handle your data. We recommend reviewing their individual privacy policies for details.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to any third party.

We share data only in the limited ways described in this policy – specifically through the third-party services listed above (Google Analytics, Google AdSense, Cloudflare) that help us operate the Website.

We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or other legal process. Aggregated, anonymized data that cannot identify any individual may be used for internal site improvement purposes.

Data Retention

  • Server logs: Retained for approximately 30 days, then automatically purged
  • Analytics data: Retained according to Google Analytics default settings (14 months)
  • Contact form submissions: Retained until the inquiry is resolved, then deleted
  • Cookies: Session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies have individual expiration dates, typically ranging from 30 days to 2 years depending on their purpose

Your Rights and Choices

You have several options for managing how your data is handled:

  • Disable cookies in your browser settings at any time. Note that some site functionality may be affected.
  • Opt out of Google Analytics tracking using the browser add-on.
  • Opt out of personalized ads through Google Ad Settings.
  • Request deletion of any personal data we hold by contacting us through our Contact page.

For EU/EEA Residents (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation, including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, data portability, and object to processing of your personal data.

For California Residents (CCPA)

California residents have the right to know what personal information is collected, request deletion of personal information, opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your data), and receive equal service regardless of exercising these rights.

Children’s Privacy

The Compact GUI website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.

Security

We take reasonable measures to protect the information collected through this Website:

  • All connections are encrypted with HTTPS/SSL
  • Cloudflare provides DDoS protection and Web Application Firewall (WAF) security
  • Server access is restricted and regularly monitored

That said, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

International Data Transfers

Our servers and the third-party services we use may process data in countries outside your own, including the United States. By using this Website, you consent to the transfer of your information to these locations. Where applicable, we rely on standard contractual clauses and other recognized safeguards to facilitate lawful data transfers.

Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Website after changes are published constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please reach out through our Contact page.