Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Toolhose ("we", "us") handles information when you use our website and tools. Our guiding principle is simple: we collect as little as possible, and most of our tools never send your data anywhere at all.

Your files and text stay on your device

The core tools on Toolhose — image compression and conversion, the text utilities, the QR code generator, and the unit and currency converters — run entirely in your browser. The images you select, the text you type, and the values you enter are processed locally on your device and are never uploaded to our servers. We never see them, store them, or share them.

Information we collect

No analytics. We do not currently run any analytics or tracking scripts. If that changes, this section will say what is collected before it starts.
Dynamic QR codes — only if you create one. We store the destination URL and a scrambled (hashed) version of your edit token. Each time the code is scanned we record the time, the scanner's country and the referring app or site, if any. Scan records are deleted after 90 days; the total scan count stays with the code.
Abuse protection. To rate-limit the QR and AI tools we keep a one-way hash of your IP address with the time of each request. These records are deleted after two days and can't be turned back into your IP address.
Server logs. Our hosting provider keeps short-lived technical logs (IP address, requested URL, time) to keep the site running and secure. They are not used to identify visitors.
Information you send us. If you email us, we receive your email address and whatever you choose to include, solely to respond to you.

None of the above includes what you type or upload into a tool. Calculator inputs, salaries, prices, images and text are never sent to analytics.

Your region

When you open our homepage we use the country your connection comes from — supplied by our hosting provider, never stored — to open the version of the site for your country. If you choose a different country in the menu at the top of the page, we remember that choice in a small cookie (tn-region) for one year so the homepage opens it next time. It contains only the country code, is used for nothing else, and is strictly necessary for the feature you asked for, so it is set without a consent prompt. Any page link you open is shown as-is, whatever your location.

Cookies and advertising

We use cookies for essential site functionality and for advertising. We display ads through Google AdSense. Google and its partners may use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. For more information on how Google uses data, see Google's partner policy.

Where the law requires consent first — the UK, the European Economic Area and Switzerland — Google's consent message (a Google-certified consent platform) asks before any advertising cookies are set or personalised ads are shown. Until you choose, only non-personalised, cookie-free ads can appear. You can change your choice at any time with Privacy settings in the footer.

Affiliate links

Some pages contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. These links do not change what we collect about you. See our Terms for more.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal data we hold about you, or to object to certain processing. Because our tools are browser-based and we hold very little personal data, most requests relate only to email correspondence. To make a request, email us at hello@toolhose.org.

Your rights in Australia

We handle personal data in line with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, please contact us first; you can also complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Children's privacy

Toolhose is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by the "last updated" date above.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Email hello@toolhose.org.