Privacy Policy

Last updated: 30 August 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how StopwatchHQ (“we”, “us”) handles information when you use our website and timing tools. We designed the site to collect as little data as possible: all timers run entirely in your browser, and no timing activity is ever sent to us.

What we do not collect

• No accounts — we never ask for your name, email or payment details to use the tools.
• No timer data — your stopwatch laps, countdown durations, pomodoro settings, interval plans and tracked time entries stay on your device.
• No server-side tracking of your tool usage.

Information stored on your device

Your preferences (theme choice, pomodoro and interval settings, last-used durations) are saved in your browser's localStorage. If you use the time tracker, your time entries are also stored only in your browser's localStorage — they never leave your device, are not accessible to us or to third parties, and are removed when you clear your browser data (export a CSV first if you want to keep them). This data never leaves your device and is not accessible to us or to third parties. Clearing your browser data removes it.

Analytics

We measure aggregate, anonymous usage in two ways. First, Cloudflare Web Analytics, a cookieless traffic measurement tool (pages visited, approximate country, device type, referral source). It sets no cookies and collects no personal identifiers.

Second, a first-party usage beacon: when you start or complete a timer, add a stopwatch lap, clock in on the tracker or export a CSV, the site sends a single anonymous event (the action name and which tool page you are on) to our own endpoint. No cookies, no IP addresses, no user agents, no identifiers, and no timer content is transmitted — we only learn that an action happened. This cannot be used to identify you, and no blocking is required.

Advertising and cookies

We display advertising through Google AdSense to keep the tools free. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.

• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
• You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendor cookies at aboutads.info.
• Visitors in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom are shown a consent message (a Google-certified CMP) before personalised ads or cookies are used, in line with the GDPR. You may change or withdraw your consent at any time via the site's cookie choices link.

Further detail is in our Cookie Policy.

Server logs

Like virtually all websites, our hosting provider (Cloudflare) automatically records technical request data (IP address, requested URL, timestamp, user agent) for security and abuse prevention. These logs are retained briefly and are not used to profile you.

Children's privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Your rights

If you are in the EEA/UK, you have rights under the GDPR including access, correction, deletion and objection; if you are in California, the CCPA/CPRA grants you rights to know, delete and opt out of sharing. Because we hold no personal data about you beyond what is described above, most requests concern analytics/advertising cookies — you can exercise those choices directly through the consent message, your browser settings, and the opt-out links above. You may also contact us at any time using the details on our contact page.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in the site or the law. The “last updated” date above always shows the current version.

Contact

Questions about privacy? Reach us via the contact page.