Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy explains how The Idiot Index ("we", "us"), operator of idiotindextools.com and the Idiot Index Navigator, collects, uses, and protects information when you use the service. We designed our data practices around a simple principle: we never store your raw IP address, and we collect the minimum needed to run and improve the product.
1. What we collect
| Data | What it is | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous visitor ID | A random identifier stored in a first-party cookie on your device | Remember your session, searches, and contributions without requiring an account |
| Derived geolocation | City, region, and country only — inferred at the network edge and stored without your IP | Regional analytics and region-aware compliance (e.g., consent requirements) |
| Hashed IP | A one-way SHA-256 hash of your IP combined with a salt that rotates weekly | Detect duplicate visitors and abuse within a one-week window; the hash cannot be reversed and becomes unlinkable after each weekly rotation |
| Usage events | Product searches, page views, feature interactions, and catalog contributions | Operate the service, compute aggregate statistics, and improve features |
| Account data (optional) | Email and profile information if you create an account | Authentication, contribution history, subscriptions, and rewards |
2. What we do not collect
We do not store raw IP addresses. We do not collect precise location. We do not sell personal information. We do not use third-party advertising cookies without your consent.
3. Contributions and public profiles
Catalog contributions (such as bill-of-materials edits and product submissions) are owned by the platform under our Terms of Service. If you contribute while signed in, your public profile displays your contribution history. Aggregate statistics derived from contributions may appear in public rankings, reports, and embeddable widgets.
4. Cookies and consent
Strictly necessary cookies (session and anonymous ID) are always active because the service cannot function without them. Analytics and retargeting technologies are only activated after you consent via the consent banner, and consent requirements are applied based on your region. You can change your choice at any time via the "Privacy choices" link in the footer.
5. Your rights (GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and similar laws)
Depending on your region, you have the right to access, correct, export, restrict, or delete your personal data, and the right to opt out of targeted advertising. You can exercise deletion directly at idiotindextools.com/data-deletion — including resetting your anonymous identifier without an account. We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where required.
6. Data retention
Raw usage events are summarized on daily, weekly, and monthly schedules and are pruned after summarization windows complete. Weekly IP hashes become unlinkable after each salt rotation. Account data is retained until you delete your account.
7. Security
All traffic is encrypted in transit (TLS). Data is stored with an infrastructure provider (Cloudflare) with encryption at rest. Access to production data is restricted and audited.
8. Children
The service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their data.
9. Changes and contact
We will update this policy as the service evolves and note the effective date above. Questions or requests: [email protected].