Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy outlines the information practices of Stop Ads (referred to as "we," "us," or "our") concerning its website and browser extension. We are deeply committed to protecting your privacy and strive to be transparent about what information we collect, how we process it, your rights to control this data, and how you can contact us. Please read this policy carefully to understand our commitment to data protection. It is important to note that most of this policy relating to personal information primarily concerns users who provide financial support to Stop Ads (donors). For the vast majority of users who simply use the extension, the data collected is anonymous and linked only to a unique, non-identifiable installation ID.

Quick Glance Privacy Dashboard

A transparent overview of how Stop Ads handles your data:

Privacy Key	Our Policy at a Glance
Data We Collect	Mostly Anonymous Usage Data (blocks count, unique ID, domains visited) and limited personal data (IPs, donation logs).
Data Purpose	Only for: Improving our ad-blocking technology, bug fixing, performance monitoring, and fulfilling payment obligations.
Data Sales	Absolutely None. We do not resell any collected data, including domain information.
Legal Rights	You can access, correct, delete, or object to processing your personal data (GDPR compliant).
Legal Controller	Stop Ads, with legal jurisdiction in Hong Kong.
Contact Inquiry	support@stopads.now

Responsibility for Data Collection and Processing (Data Controller)

The legal entity responsible for the collection, processing, and/or use of personal information in connection with our websites and products (the "Controller") is Stop Ads.

You can reach the Controller for any privacy-related inquiries via email at support@stopads.now or by using the contact form provided below.

What Constitutes Personal Information?

For the purposes of data protection, Personal Information is defined as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (a "data subject"). An identifiable natural person is someone who can be identified, either directly or indirectly, through reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or one or more factors specific to their physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity. This also specifically includes any information associated with payments or donations you may make.

1. User Data Collection and Types of Information Gathered

This section details the categories of data Stop Ads collects from users of its website and browser extension.

Anonymous Usage Data (from the Extension):

When you use the Stop Ads extension, we collect technical information that is not linked to your real identity. This includes:

• The version number of the extension installed, your preferred language setting.
• Domain Data for Filtering Improvement: To ensure our ad blocking remains highly effective across the web, we collect the top-level domains (e.g., google.com, nytimes.com, but not the full specific URL paths) present in your browser at the time you install the extension. We also collect the top 50 domains you visit periodically to monitor filter performance. We do not resell any of this domain information. This data is strictly used internally to improve ad blocking technology.
• Aggregate metrics such as the total number of ads and requests blocked over time.
• Information about your browser type (e.g., Chrome, Firefox) and the operating system of your device.
• An anonymous, unique ID assigned to each individual extension installation. This ID cannot be used to identify you personally.

Personal Information and Server Logs:

When you interact with our website or when the extension communicates with our servers, certain identifying information may be logged:

• Your IP address, the unique ID, and logs related to specific button clicks (e.g., download or install) when you visit the Stop Ads website.
• Your computer's IP address when the extension performs necessary communication with Stop Ads servers (e.g., for filter list updates).
• General requests to Stop Ads domains include the IP address (which is subsequently anonymized via a cryptographic hash), the browser type, operating system, and the page address requested.
• Logs for payment processing (for donations) may include your IP address, name, email address, physical address, browser type, operating system, payment amount and type, and partial credit card details (specifically, the card type, expiration date, and the last four digits). Full credit card numbers are never stored by us.

Error Reporting Data:

In the event of a technical issue or crash, an automated error report is generated and sent to us. This report contains the anonymous usage information, the current browser version, and a brief description of the error. The extension is designed to automatically attempt to remove any URL or potentially sensitive information that might accidentally be present within the error description before transmission.

Analytics Data:

Stop Ads utilizes Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided by Google Inc. ("Google"), to collect and aggregate anonymized information regarding traffic patterns and usage of both the website and the extension. The data gathered via cookies about your use of our Website (including your abbreviated IP address) is transmitted to and stored on a Google server located in the United States. Google uses this information to evaluate your use of our Website, compile reports on website activity for us, and provide other services related to website and internet usage.

For users in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA): You have the ability to deactivate Google Analytics completely by using a browser add-on. If you prefer not to participate in this website analysis, you can download and install this tool here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

2. Data Handling, Purpose of Use, and Legal Basis for Processing

This section details how Stop Ads uses the information it collects and the legal grounds for this processing, particularly for EU/EEA users.

General Purpose and Use:

All collected usage, analytics, and server log information is used solely internally by Stop Ads for essential operational purposes:

• Product Improvement: To maintain, optimize, and improve the functionality, stability, and usability of the Stop Ads extension and website, specifically using the domain data to refine filter lists.
• Performance and Security: To understand how our services are used, to identify and rectify potential technical issues (bugs, errors), and to prevent fraudulent or abusive activity.
• Financial Insight: Payment processing logs are used to gain necessary insights into the financial performance of Stop Ads (e.g., donation volumes).
• Troubleshooting: Error reports are critical for rapidly identifying and addressing defects that could lead to crashes or errors, ensuring a better user experience.

Legal Basis for Processing (For EU/EEA Users):

Stop Ads collects and processes your personal information in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable EU laws. Our legal basis for processing your data is based on one or more of the following grounds:

Processing Based on Your Consent: Art. 6 (1) a GDPR

We will explicitly request your consent to collect and process your personal information for specific purposes mentioned above, unless statutory laws permit the collection and processing without it. Where you have granted consent, you retain the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

Processing for Contractual Obligations: Art. 6 (1) b GDPR

The collection and processing of your personal information may be necessary for the execution of a contract to which you are a party (e.g., processing a donation) or to take steps at your request before entering such a contract.

Processing for Legal Compliance: Art. 6 (1) c GDPR

The collection and processing of certain personal information may be necessary to comply with a legal obligation to which Stop Ads is subject under EU laws or the laws of a relevant EU Member State.

Processing for Legitimate Interests: Art. 6 (1) f GDPR

The processing of your personal information is sometimes necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests, provided these interests do not override your fundamental rights and freedoms. Examples include ensuring security, preventing fraud, and service optimization.

3. Data Storage, Security Measures, and Retention Periods

This section outlines how we store your data, our security practices, and how long we keep different categories of data.

Security of Information:

All collected personal and usage information is stored in our secured databases. We take reasonable and appropriate technical and organizational steps to keep your data secure and to protect it from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, it is crucial to understand that no database, server, or transmission system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data. By using Stop Ads's website and browser extension, you acknowledge and accept this inherent risk.

Data Retention Periods:

We only retain data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements:

• Aggregate statistics that are tied to a user's anonymous ID are stored indefinitely for historical analysis of product performance.
• Identifying information such as IP addresses are systematically removed or anonymized from general log files and databases after a maximum period of six months.
• Error report information is purged from log files and databases after 7 days.
• General server logs are kept for a maximum of 90 days.
• Payment processing logs are retained in accordance with applicable tax and financial law retention periods.

4. Data Sharing, Disclosure Policies, and Business Transfers

This section clarifies the circumstances under which Stop Ads may share user data with external parties.

No Sale or Resale of Personal Information:

We affirm that we have never sold, and will never sell or resell, your personal information—including the anonymized domain data we collect—to any third party for marketing or any other purpose without obtaining your explicit, prior consent.

Aggregated and Anonymized Data:

We reserve the right to share data that has been fully anonymized and aggregated in such a way that it cannot be linked back to any individual user.

Legal Compliance and Enforcement:

We will cooperate with valid legal requests and court orders from law enforcement agencies, particularly those in Hong Kong (our legal jurisdiction), and may disclose personal information as legally required. Whenever legally possible, we will endeavor to notify you of any requests for your information before disclosing it.

"Warrant Canary" Statement:

Stop Ads has never received a demand for user data under Section 215 of the Patriot Act, or any similar order from a governmental body anywhere in the world. If this sentence is ever removed or significantly altered, it signifies that we have received such an order and have been legally compelled to delete this statement.

Business Transfers:

In the unlikely event of a business transfer (e.g., merger or acquisition), we will not transfer your personal data to third parties without providing you with advance notice and obtaining your explicit prior permission.

5. Your Data Protection Rights

In accordance with the GDPR and applicable EU laws, and to the extent legally permitted, you possess the following comprehensive rights regarding the personal information we collect and process:

• Right to Information and Access: You have the right to request details about the personal information we store about you and how we process it.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request the correction of any inaccurate personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Restriction of Processing: You have the right to request that we limit way we process your personal information.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): You have the right to request the erasure of your personal information from our systems.
• Data Portability Right: You are entitled to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the collection and processing of your personal information based on our legitimate interests.
• Right to Complaint: You have the right to file a complaint with a supervisory authority.

Changes and Updates to this Policy

We reserve the right to revise or update this Privacy Policy at any time, for any reason, and may make changes with or without prior notification. Each time this policy undergoes a change, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this document.

Your continued use of the Stop Ads website or browser extension following any revisions constitutes your implicit agreement and acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

We welcome all questions, comments, or suggestions you may have regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices: