Privacy policy

Error Decoder (https://errordecoder.online) is built to need as little information about you as possible. You can use every page without creating an account, signing in or filling in a form. This policy explains the limited data that is processed when you visit, who processes it and what choices you have.

1. Who is responsible

The site is operated by the independent publisher of Error Decoder, who is the data controller for the processing described here. You can contact us about privacy at contact@errordecoder.online.

2. Summary

  • No user accounts, no comments, no newsletters and no contact forms.
  • Searches you type into the search box are processed in your browser and are not sent to us.
  • Our hosting provider keeps short-lived technical server logs.
  • When advertising is enabled, Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies to serve and measure ads. In the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom and Switzerland this happens only according to the choices you make in the consent message.
  • We do not sell your personal information for money. Advertising cookies may count as "selling" or "sharing" under some US state laws; you can opt out (see section 9).

3. Information we process

3.1 Server logs

Like almost every website, our web server and hosting provider automatically record technical information when your browser requests a page: IP address, date and time, requested URL, referring page, HTTP status, bytes transferred and browser user-agent string. These logs are used to deliver the site, keep it secure, prevent abuse and diagnose faults. We do not use them to build profiles of visitors.

3.2 Search box

The search on Error Decoder runs in your browser against a downloaded index file. What you type is not transmitted to our server and is not stored by us.

3.3 Preferences stored on your device

If the site offers display preferences (for example a light or dark theme), the choice may be saved in your browser's local storage. This data stays on your device, is never sent to us and can be cleared at any time through your browser settings.

3.4 Emails you send us

If you email us, we receive your email address, any name you include and the content of your message. We use it only to reply and, where relevant, to correct the site.

3.5 Analytics

Error Decoder does not currently use any third-party analytics service. If we add one in the future, we will update this policy and the cookie policy before doing so, and, where the law requires it, we will only enable it with your consent.

3.6 Advertising

We may use Google AdSense to display ads. See section 5.

4. Legal bases (GDPR / UK GDPR)

If you are in the EEA, the UK or Switzerland, we rely on these legal bases:

  • Server logs and security: our legitimate interests in operating a secure and reliable website (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
  • Replying to your emails: our legitimate interest in answering questions and correcting the site (Article 6(1)(f)).
  • Advertising cookies and personalised ads: your consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR and the ePrivacy rules on storing information on your device). You can withdraw consent at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of earlier processing.
  • Legal obligations: where we must keep or disclose information by law (Article 6(1)(c)).

5. Advertising and Google

When advertising is enabled on Error Decoder:

Ad-related data processed by Google may include your IP address, device and browser identifiers, cookie identifiers, the page you are viewing and approximate location derived from your IP address. Google acts as an independent controller for some of this processing.

Consent in the EEA, UK and Switzerland. For visitors in these regions, the site uses Google's consent management platform, which is certified under the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework. Until you make a choice, Google Consent Mode is set so that advertising cookies are not used for ad storage or personalisation. If you decline, Google may still show non-personalised or limited ads, which use cookies only where strictly necessary for purposes such as frequency capping, fraud prevention and aggregated reporting, as described by Google.

You can change or withdraw your choice at any time using the Privacy and cookie settings link in the site footer or on the cookie policy page.

6. Who receives data

  • Our hosting provider, which stores the site and its server logs on our behalf under a data processing agreement.
  • Google and its advertising partners, when ads are enabled and subject to your consent choices where required. The list of partners Google works with is available through the consent message.
  • Our email provider, which stores messages you send us.
  • Authorities, only where required by law.

We do not sell lists of visitors, and we do not share your emails with anyone for marketing.

7. International transfers

Some of the companies above, including Google, may process data outside your country, including in the United States. Where data leaves the EEA or UK, these transfers rely on safeguards recognised by law, such as adequacy decisions (including the EU-US Data Privacy Framework where the recipient is certified) or standard contractual clauses.

8. How long we keep data

  • Server logs: kept only for a limited period set by our hosting provider's log rotation (typically a few weeks), unless a specific entry is needed to investigate a security incident.
  • Emails: kept for as long as needed to deal with your message and any follow-up, and deleted or archived within 24 months.
  • Consent choices: stored by Google's consent tool in a cookie on your device, typically for up to 13 months, after which you will be asked again.
  • Advertising cookies: retention is set by Google and its partners; see the cookie policy.

9. US state privacy rights (including California)

If you live in California or another US state with a comprehensive privacy law (for example Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia or Utah), you may have the right to:

  • know what categories of personal information are collected and how they are used;
  • access and obtain a copy of your personal information;
  • request correction or deletion of your personal information;
  • opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information, and of targeted (cross-context behavioural) advertising;
  • not be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

In the last 12 months, the categories of personal information that may have been collected through the site are: identifiers (IP address, cookie and device identifiers) and internet activity (pages viewed and interactions with ads). These come from your browser and are used for the purposes in sections 3 and 5. We do not collect sensitive personal information and we do not knowingly sell or share data of consumers under 16.

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Allowing Google's advertising cookies may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" under these laws. To opt out, use the Privacy and cookie settings link in the footer (where shown, this opens the "Do not sell or share my personal information" option), adjust your choices in Google Ads Settings, or email us. We also honour the Global Privacy Control signal where Google's tools support it in your state.

To make a request, email contact@errordecoder.online. Because we do not hold accounts, we may ask for information (such as the approximate date and time of your visit) to locate data relating to you. You may use an authorised agent. We will respond within the time required by law, normally 45 days.

10. Your rights in the EEA, UK and Switzerland

You have the right to access, rectify or erase your personal data, to restrict or object to processing based on legitimate interests, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time. To exercise these rights, email contact@errordecoder.online. We will reply within one month. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority, for example the authority in your EU country of residence or the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

For data processed by Google for advertising, you can also exercise your rights directly with Google through Google's privacy controls.

11. Children

Error Decoder is a general-audience technical reference and is not directed at children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has sent us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Security

The site is served over HTTPS and has no login or database of user data. We keep the data we do process to a minimum and restrict access to it.

13. Links to other websites

Our pages link to vendor documentation and other sites. Their privacy practices are their own; please read their policies.

14. Changes to this policy

We will update this page when our practices change, for example if we add an analytics service or a new advertising partner. The date below shows the latest revision. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.

15. Contact

Privacy questions and requests: contact@errordecoder.online.

Last updated: November 4, 2026