This Privacy Policy applies to the IRC.com web client service (the "Service") provided by IRC.com ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). This policy describes our practices regarding information collected through your use of our Service.
This policy does not apply to third-party IRC networks, servers, or services that you access through our Service. Such third-party services are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of service, for which we assume no responsibility.
By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure practices described herein.
We may automatically collect certain technical information when you use the Service, including:
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:
The Service utilizes browser local storage to maintain user preferences, session state, custom scripts, and configuration data. This information is stored locally on your device and may be transmitted to our servers for service operation purposes.
We use collected information to:
We may analyze usage patterns and technical metrics to understand how the Service is used and to identify areas for improvement, always in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties, except as described in this Privacy Policy.
We may share information with third-party service providers who assist in operating the Service, provided they agree to maintain appropriate confidentiality protections.
We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of such transaction, subject to equivalent privacy protections.
You must understand that IRC is a public communication protocol with inherent privacy limitations:
IRC networks accessed through the Service operate under their own privacy policies and data handling practices. We have no control over how third-party IRC networks collect, use, or protect information transmitted through their systems.
You are solely responsible for understanding the privacy implications of IRC communications and for implementing any additional privacy measures you deem necessary. This includes but is not limited to:
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information in our control, including:
HOWEVER, WE CANNOT AND DO NOT GUARANTEE THE SECURITY OF ANY INFORMATION. No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. You acknowledge and accept all risks associated with transmitting information through the Service and IRC networks.
You are responsible for:
The Service provides a comprehensive scripting engine that allows users to customize functionality, including the potential to implement privacy-enhancing features such as:
Any custom scripts, encryption implementations, or privacy tools that you create or use are entirely your responsibility. We do not endorse, support, or guarantee the effectiveness of any user-created privacy solutions.
Custom scripts execute with significant privileges and may access or modify your communications, data, and Service behavior. You are solely responsible for understanding and accepting the privacy implications of any scripts you choose to use.
We retain information only as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
Information stored in your browser's local storage remains on your device until you clear it or uninstall the Service. You can delete this information at any time through your browser settings.
We have no control over information retention practices of third-party IRC networks. Messages and user information transmitted through IRC networks may be logged, stored, or retained by network operators according to their own policies.
The Service may transmit data across international borders as part of normal IRC network operations. IRC networks span globally, and your communications may traverse servers in multiple countries with varying privacy laws.
Different countries have different privacy and data protection laws. When using the Service to connect to international IRC networks, your information may be subject to foreign legal frameworks that provide different protections than your home jurisdiction.
The Service is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete such information promptly.
Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring their children's internet usage and ensuring they understand the public nature of IRC communications before allowing access to the Service.
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete information we maintain about you.
You can control certain aspects of data collection through your browser settings, including:
The Service provides various privacy and notification settings that you can configure according to your preferences.
WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES REGARDING THE PRIVACY OR SECURITY OF YOUR INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATIONS. YOU USE THE SERVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK AND ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRIVACY CONSEQUENCES.
WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRIVACY PRACTICES, DATA COLLECTION, OR SECURITY MEASURES OF ANY THIRD-PARTY IRC NETWORKS, SERVICES, OR INDIVIDUALS YOU INTERACT WITH THROUGH THE SERVICE.
WE CANNOT OVERRIDE THE FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IRC PROTOCOL, INCLUDING ITS LACK OF BUILT-IN ENCRYPTION AND THE PUBLIC NATURE OF MOST IRC COMMUNICATIONS.
We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time without notice. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting the revised policy on the Service.
It is your responsibility to periodically review this Privacy Policy for updates. Your continued use of the Service following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
For material changes that significantly impact privacy practices, we may provide additional notice through the Service interface, though we are not obligated to do so.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us through the appropriate channels provided in the Service interface.
While we will make reasonable efforts to respond to privacy inquiries, we do not guarantee response times or the availability of specific information.
By using IRC.com, you acknowledge that IRC is fundamentally a public communication medium without built-in privacy protections. You accept full responsibility for your privacy decisions and agree that we are not liable for any privacy consequences resulting from your use of the Service or participation in IRC networks.
Remember: Our scripting engine provides the tools—privacy implementation is your responsibility.