Legal
Privacy policy
Last updated 6 min read
What we collect, why we collect it, and what you can do about it. Written in plain language, so you can understand it in one read.
The short version
We collect what you give us
Your messages, your project files and basic facts about your visit.
We use it to help you
To reply, do your work, bill you and make the site better.
We never sell it
We share it only with the services that help us run Viewmize.
You stay in control
Ask us to see, fix or delete your information at any time.
1. Who we are
Viewmize offers free guides, advice and creative services for creators. When this policy says “we” or “us”, it means Viewmize. When it says “you”, it means anyone who visits our site, reads our guides, contacts us or works with us.
If you have a question about your information, send us a message.
2. What we collect
What you give us
- When you contact us: your name, email, what you make, a link to your work, what you need help with, the plan you’re interested in and your message.
- When you ask us to email you: your email and the page you asked from.
- When you work with us: the photos, logos, files and feedback you share for your projects, and your billing details.
- When you have a login: your name and email, so you can sign in to your dashboard.
- When you write to us: anything you include in your emails and messages.
What we collect on our own
When you visit the site, our hosting provider, Cloudflare, receives your IP address and basic facts about your device and browser, as any website host does. When our server handles a request itself, like a message from one of our forms or a link to a page that doesn’t exist, it logs your IP address and browser details so we can fix problems and stop abuse. We also use your IP address to limit how many messages one visitor can send through our forms and how many sign-in codes they can ask for, and we count the codes asked for each email address, so none of these can be flooded. When you sign in, we keep a record of your session with the browser and device you signed in from, so you stay signed in. We don’t track your visits with cookies or analytics, as section 4 explains.
Payment details
Stripe, our payment provider, handles your card on its own site. We see the last four digits and your billing address, but we never see or store your full card number. When you pay, Stripe also tells us your name, email, plan, price and billing dates, so we can make your login and show your plan in your dashboard.
3. How we use it
- To reply to your messages and give you advice.
- To do the work you ask for and keep you updated on it.
- To email you a link to your dashboard when you buy a plan, send you sign-in codes and keep you signed in.
- To bill you for your plan and keep the records the law requires.
- To keep the site safe and stop spam and abuse.
If we ever send you tips or news by email, it will be because you asked for them. Every one will have a link to stop them.
If you’re in the European Union or the United Kingdom, our legal reasons are: to carry out our agreement with you, our legitimate interest in running Viewmize and keeping it safe, and legal duties like keeping tax records.
4. Cookies and analytics
Our site sets one cookie, and only when you sign in. It keeps you signed in to your dashboard until you sign out, or for 30 days after you last use it. Signing in needs it, so we don’t ask first. We don’t use analytics or advertising tools, and our fonts and images load from our own site, not from other companies.
If we ever add analytics or advertising, we’ll update this policy first and, where the law requires it, ask before we set their cookies.
5. Who we share it with
We never sell your personal information. We share it only with companies that help us run Viewmize, and only what they need to do their job:
- Cloudflare, which hosts our site and stores the files you share.
- SendGrid, which delivers the messages and requests you send through our site to our inbox, tells us when you buy a plan, and delivers your welcome email, our sign-in codes and updates about your requests to you.
- Our email provider, which runs our inbox.
- Stripe, which runs our checkout and billing page and takes your payments.
- The design and work tools our team uses to make and deliver your work.
These companies must protect your information and can’t use it for their own purposes. We also share information when the law requires it. If Viewmize is ever sold or merged, your information moves with it and this policy still applies.
6. Where we store it
We’re based in the United States, and our providers may store information in the US and other countries. When we move information out of the European Union or the United Kingdom, we use the safeguards the law requires.
7. How long we keep it
- Server logs: up to 7 days, then they’re deleted on their own.
- Messages from people who don’t become clients: up to two years, then we delete them.
- Client files, messages and logins: while you work with us, plus two years, in case you need an old file.
- Sign-in codes: until you sign in, which deletes every code we sent you. Unused codes stop working after 5 minutes, and we delete them the next time anyone enters a code.
- Requests for sign-in codes: the email and time of each, to count them. Once an hour old, we delete them the next time anyone asks for a code.
- Billing records: as long as tax law requires, usually seven years.
You can ask us to delete your information sooner. Section 8 explains how.
8. Your choices and rights
Wherever you live, you can ask us to:
- Show you the information we have about you.
- Correct anything that’s wrong.
- Delete your information.
- Send you a copy in a common file format.
Send us a message with the email you used with us. We’ll reply to that address within 30 days, usually much sooner, and we’ll never treat you differently for asking.
If you’re in the European Union or the United Kingdom, you can also complain to your local data protection authority. If you live in California, you have the right to know, correct and delete your information, and to ask us not to share it for targeted ads.
9. Keeping it safe
We use secure connections, limit who on our team can see your information, and work with providers that take security seriously. No system is perfect. If something ever goes wrong that affects you, we’ll tell you quickly and explain what we’re doing about it.
10. Children
Viewmize isn’t meant for children under 13, and we don’t knowingly collect their information. If you’re under 18, please ask a parent or guardian before you work with us. If you think a child has sent us information, tell us and we’ll delete it.
11. Changes to this policy
When we change this policy, we update the date at the top. If a change is big, we’ll tell you by email or with a notice on the site before it takes effect.
12. Contact us
Questions about your privacy? Send us a message. A real person will reply.