Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how KeroTools ("we", "us", or "our") handles information when you visit and use our website and tools. We are committed to protecting your privacy, and our service is built around a simple principle: your files should stay yours. The vast majority of our tools run entirely inside your browser, which means your images and documents are processed on your own device and are never sent to us.

By using KeroTools, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with any part of it, please discontinue use of the website. We encourage you to read this policy in full so you understand exactly what data is and is not collected.

2. Who We Are

KeroTools is a free online platform that provides browser-based image and PDF tools, including compression, format conversion, and document editing. For the purposes of data protection law, KeroTools is the data controller responsible for the limited personal data described in this policy. If you have any questions, you can reach us at privacy@kerotools.com or through our Contact page.

3. Information We Collect

We collect very little personal data. Specifically:

Files you process — All images and most PDF documents are processed locally in your browser. These files are never uploaded to, stored on, or accessed by our servers. A small number of PDF tools that cannot run in a browser are processed on our server, as described in section 8.

Information you provide — If you contact us through our contact form or by email, we receive the name, email address, and message content you choose to send us.

Usage and device data — Like most websites, we and our analytics providers may automatically collect anonymous technical information such as your browser type, device type, operating system, approximate region, referring pages, and which tools are used. This information is aggregated and cannot, on its own, identify you.

Cookies and similar technologies — See section 6 and our separate Cookie Policy for details.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the limited information we collect to operate, maintain, and improve KeroTools; to respond to your inquiries and support requests; to understand which tools are popular so we can prioritise improvements; to keep the service secure and prevent abuse, fraud, or technical problems; and to display advertising that helps keep the service free. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

5. Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we process your personal data under the following legal bases: your consent (for example, for non-essential advertising and analytics cookies, which you may withdraw at any time); our legitimate interests in operating and improving a secure, useful service; and, where applicable, compliance with legal obligations. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw it at any time through your cookie or browser settings without affecting the lawfulness of earlier processing.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences (such as your chosen language), to measure and analyse traffic, and to support advertising. Essential cookies are necessary for the site to function, while analytics and advertising cookies are optional and used in accordance with your choices. You can control cookies through your browser settings at any time. For a full breakdown of the cookies we use and how to manage them, please read our Cookie Policy.

7. Advertising and Google AdSense

KeroTools displays advertising to keep the service free of charge. We use Google AdSense and may use other third-party advertising vendors.

Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to KeroTools and/or other sites on the internet. Google uses cookies such as the DART cookie for this purpose.

You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings at https://www.google.com/settings/ads. You can also opt out of a third-party vendor’s use of cookies for personalised advertising by visiting https://www.aboutads.info/choices or https://www.youronlinechoices.com. If you do not opt out, you may still see advertising, but it may be less relevant to you. We encourage you to review Google’s own privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads.

8. Analytics

We may use privacy-conscious analytics services (which may include Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use the site in aggregate. These services may set cookies or collect anonymous identifiers to measure page views and tool usage. The data is used only to improve the service and is not used to identify individual visitors. Where required, analytics run only after you have given consent.

9. Server-Side PDF Processing

All image tools and most PDF tools — including merge, split, rotate, delete pages, watermark, sign, OCR, and compress — run entirely in your browser, so those files are never uploaded to us.

A small number of PDF tools that cannot technically run in a browser (currently PDF to Word and Word to PDF) are processed on our own server. For these tools only, your file is transmitted over an encrypted HTTPS connection, converted, returned to you, and then deleted immediately after processing. These files are not stored, logged, backed up, shared, or used for any other purpose, and no human reviews their contents. Each tool that uploads to a server is clearly labelled in its interface so you always know before you use it.

10. Data Retention

Because most processing happens on your device, there is nothing for us to retain. Files handled by server-side tools are deleted immediately after conversion. Messages you send through the contact form are kept only for as long as needed to respond to your request and to keep a reasonable record of correspondence. Aggregated, anonymous analytics may be retained to observe long-term trends.

11. Data Security

Files handled by our in-browser tools are never transmitted over the internet, which eliminates an entire category of risk. For the server-based PDF tools, transfers use encrypted HTTPS connections and files are removed right after processing. We apply appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect any information collected through the website. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited data with trusted service providers who help us operate the website (such as hosting, analytics, and advertising partners), and only to the extent necessary for them to perform their services. We may also disclose information if required to do so by law, to comply with legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of KeroTools, our users, or the public.

13. International Data Transfers

KeroTools is available worldwide, and the limited data we process (such as analytics and advertising data handled by our providers) may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. Where such transfers occur, our providers rely on recognised safeguards, such as the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses, to protect your information.

14. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access the personal data we hold about you; to request correction or deletion of that data; to object to or restrict certain processing; to withdraw consent at any time; and to data portability. Residents of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom have these rights under the GDPR, and residents of California have similar rights under the CCPA, including the right not to be discriminated against for exercising them. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@kerotools.com. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

15. Children’s Privacy

KeroTools is not directed at children under the age of 13 (or the equivalent minimum age in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

16. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services that we do not operate. This policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any external site you visit.

17. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" signal. Because there is no industry-wide standard for how such signals should be interpreted, we do not currently respond to them differently. You can still control tracking through your cookie and browser settings as described above.

18. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes may be highlighted on the site. Your continued use of KeroTools after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

19. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at privacy@kerotools.com or through our Contact page. We aim to respond to all legitimate requests within a reasonable timeframe.