Privacy Policy

How weuse.uk handles your data

Last updated: May 4, 2026

TL;DR

We don't track you. We don't sell your data. We don't use cookies for advertising. We only store what's needed to run a URL shortener: the URL you submit and your IP (for rate limiting).

No tracking No selling data No accounts required No third-party sharing No advertising

1. Introduction

weuse.uk ("we", "our", or "us") operates the WeUse.uk URL shortening service ("the Service") and the WeUse Shortener Chrome Extension ("the Extension"). This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data.

By using the Service or the Extension, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

2. What We Collect

2.1 Web Service (weuse.uk)

  • URLs you submit for shortening (e.g., https://example.com/long-url) — required to generate a short link.
  • Your IP address — used solely for rate limiting (60 requests/minute, 100,000 URLs/month per IP) and abuse prevention.
  • Page title — fetched server-side from the URL you submit, used for display only.
  • Aggregate click counts on short links you create — total clicks and last-accessed timestamp.

2.2 Chrome Extension

  • The URL of the active tab — read only when you click the extension icon. Sent to https://weuse.uk/shorten for shortening.
  • The Extension does not read browsing history, cookies, form data, or page content.
  • The Extension does not run in the background — it activates only when you open the popup.

2.3 What We Do NOT Collect

  • Names, email addresses, or any account information (we don't have user accounts).
  • Browsing history or web activity outside what you explicitly submit.
  • Cookies for tracking or advertising.
  • Browser fingerprints, device identifiers, or behavioural data.
  • Payment information (the Service is free).
  • Location data beyond country/region inferred from IP for abuse prevention.

3. How We Use Your Data

  • To generate, store, and serve short links.
  • To redirect visitors from short links to the original URL.
  • To prevent abuse via rate limiting and monthly quotas per IP.
  • To monitor service health and performance (aggregate metrics only).

We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, content recommendation, or any purpose unrelated to the Service's core function as a URL shortener.

4. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, lease, or trade your data to third parties.

The only situations in which we may disclose data are:

  • Legal obligation: If required by a valid court order or law enforcement request under applicable law.
  • Service providers: The Service runs on infrastructure providers (e.g., hosting, database). These providers process data only to host the Service and are bound by their own data-protection terms.

5. Data Retention

  • Short links are kept indefinitely (lifetime) so they continue to work, unless deactivated by an administrator for abuse.
  • IP addresses associated with link creation are retained for as long as the link exists, for abuse-prevention purposes.
  • Click counts are aggregated counters and contain no personal data.

You may request deletion of a specific short link or its associated metadata by contacting us (see Section 9).

6. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (GDPR / UK GDPR / similar), you have the right to:

  • Access the data we hold about you.
  • Rectify inaccurate data.
  • Erase your data ("right to be forgotten").
  • Restrict processing of your data.
  • Object to processing of your data.
  • Lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at the address in Section 9.

7. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has used the Service, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions, data deletion requests, or any other inquiries:

We aim to respond to all reasonable inquiries within 7 days.