Strangerchat
Legal & Compliance

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 10, 2026 • Effective Date: November 10, 2026

1. Introduction & Core Architectural Privacy Commitment

Strangerchat ("we", "our", or "the Platform") operates an anonymous 1-on-1 text communication utility designed from inception with a Zero-Data Retention Architecture. Unlike conventional social media or messaging platforms, our foundational engineering objective is to enable spontaneous human communication without requiring user registration, profiling, or persistent data logging.

This Privacy Policy explains how our service handles technical identifiers, browser storage, third-party advertising cookies, and your regulatory rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), and international privacy frameworks.

2. Data We Do NOT Collect

Zero Server-Side Retention Guarantee:
  • We do not require names, usernames, telephone numbers, or email addresses to chat.
  • We do not store chat message history in any permanent database (SQL, NoSQL, or disk storage).
  • All messages flow exclusively through volatile in-memory (RAM) transport buffers and are permanently discarded immediately upon transmission to the recipient or when a chat session terminates.
  • We do not track precise geolocation or biometric data.

3. Browser Storage Technologies (Local & Session Storage)

Strangerchat uses standard HTML5 client-side storage mechanisms exclusively for operational continuity and user preference preservation:

Storage Key Type Purpose Retention
strangerchat_client_token sessionStorage Cryptographic pseudo-random UUID used strictly to re-associate your browser tab if mobile network connectivity dips temporarily. Expires when browser tab closes
strangerchat_active_session sessionStorage Ephemeral session identifier enabling smooth 35-second reconnection grace period during mobile app switching. Destroyed upon chat disconnection or tab exit
strangerchat_consent_18 localStorage Stores binary confirmation ('1') indicating the user has verified adulthood (18+) and agreed to community conduct terms. Persistent until cleared by user
strangerchat_theme localStorage Saves user visual preference ('dark' or 'light') to eliminate Flash of Unstyled Content (FOUC). Persistent until cleared by user

4. Third-Party Advertising & Google AdSense Compliance

To support server infrastructure costs and keep our service 100% free, we display third-party advertisements via Google AdSense and accredited digital ad exchanges.

Mandatory Third-Party Advertising Disclosure:

Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) to serve ads on our site based on users' visits to this and other websites across the Internet.

Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting the Google Ad Settings page.

Alternatively, users can opt out of third-party vendor cookies for personalized advertising by visiting Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) Consumer Opt-Out or Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA).

Third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology in their advertisements and links appearing on Strangerchat that are sent directly to your browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies (such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons) may also be used by our third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content you see on websites that you visit.

Strangerchat has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

5. CCPA / CPRA & State-Level U.S. Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, or other jurisdictions with comprehensive consumer privacy statutes:

  • Right to Know & Access: You have the right to request what personal information is collected. Because Strangerchat does not collect or associate PII with chat transcripts, no identifiable personal dossiers exist in our infrastructure.
  • Right to Delete: You can delete any locally stored preferences by clearing your browser's local storage and cache at any time.
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information: We do not sell personal information for monetary compensation. You may opt out of cross-context behavioral advertising through the NAI and Google Ad Settings links detailed above.
  • Non-Discrimination: We do not discriminate against any user who exercises their statutory privacy rights.

6. European GDPR & International Compliance

Under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and UK Data Protection Act:

  • Legal Basis for Processing: Ephemeral message transmission is processed strictly under Contractual / Operational Necessity to deliver requested 1-on-1 communications. Local storage settings (theme, consent) are processed under Legitimate Interest.
  • Data Retention Duration: In-memory session buffers are wiped immediately upon chat termination. Zero historical records are kept.
  • Data Protection Officer & Contact: To submit questions or request information regarding our technical data boundaries, contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@strangerchat.app.

7. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) & Minor Safety

Strangerchat is strictly intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age. We do not knowingly solicit, collect, or maintain information from children under the age of 13 (or under 18). If you suspect a minor has accessed the service, please report the instance immediately to safety@strangerchat.app so preventative IP blocking measures can be enforced.

8. Contact Information

If you have any questions, regulatory inquiries, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact our team via: