Privacy policy

1. About this policy

GiftCardBalanceCheck.net ("we", "us", "our") operates the website giftcardbalancecheck.net. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices.

2. Information we collect

a) Automatically collected data

When you visit the site, our server logs your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and referral URL. We also store anonymous search and click events to understand how visitors use the site. This data does not identify you personally.

b) Comments

If you submit a comment on a gift card page, we collect your name and email address. Your email is stored as a one-way hash (SHA-256) and is never displayed publicly or used to contact you. It is used only to detect duplicate or spam submissions.

c) Contact form

If you submit the contact form, we collect your name, email address, subject, and message. This information is stored in our database and used only to respond to your inquiry.

d) Cookies

We use session cookies required for the site to function (Laravel session cookie). We do not set any tracking cookies ourselves. However, Google AdSense, which serves advertisements on this site, uses cookies to serve interest-based ads. See Section 4 for details.

3. How we use your information

• To display and improve the site
• To review and publish comments (after moderation)
• To respond to contact form submissions
• To understand which gift card pages and search terms are most useful to visitors

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties except as described in this policy.

4. Google AdSense and advertising

This site uses Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google AdSense uses cookies (including the DoubleClick cookie) to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. You can opt out of interest-based advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings or by visiting www.aboutads.info. Google's use of advertising cookies is governed by Google's Privacy Policy.

5. Third-party links

Gift card pages on this site link to official retailer balance check pages. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites. We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any site you visit.

6. Data retention

Server logs are retained for up to 90 days. Anonymous analytics events are purged after 90 days. Contact form submissions are retained until manually deleted by the site administrator. Comment data is retained indefinitely unless deleted by the administrator.

7. Your rights

You may request deletion of any personal data you have submitted (contact form or comment) by contacting us via the contact form. We will process requests within 30 days.

8. Children's privacy

This site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.