Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how PaletteCSS (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects information when you visit or interact with our website at https://palettecss.com (the “Service”).

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please discontinue use of the Service.

2. Who We Are

PaletteCSS is an independently operated online platform that lets designers, developers, and creatives discover, share, and copy color palettes and CSS gradients. For the purposes of data-protection law, PaletteCSS is the “data controller” responsible for your information. You can reach us any time at palettecss@gmail.com.

3. Information We Collect

We aim to collect as little personal information as possible. The data we handle falls into the following categories:

a) Information collected automatically

• Usage data: pages visited, time spent on pages, clicks, and referring URLs.
• Device & technical data: browser type and version, operating system, screen size, language, and approximate location derived from your IP address.
• Log data: your IP address, access times, and error reports, recorded automatically by our servers.

b) Information you provide

• Submitted content: when you submit a palette or gradient, we store the colors, tags, your IP address, and an anonymous session ID for moderation and spam prevention.
• Communications: if you email us, we keep your message and contact details to respond and maintain a record of the correspondence.

c) Information from cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential functionality, analytics, and advertising. See our Cookie Policy for a full breakdown.

What we do not collect: we do not require registration, and we do not knowingly collect names, passwords, payment details, or other sensitive personal information.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve the Service and its features
• Display, moderate, and organize user-submitted palettes and gradients
• Detect, prevent, and investigate spam, abuse, and fraudulent submissions
• Understand how visitors use the site so we can improve performance and content
• Display advertising, including personalized advertising where permitted
• Respond to your enquiries and provide support
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service

5. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK)

If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, we process your personal data only where we have a valid legal basis to do so:

• Legitimate interests: running and securing the Service, preventing spam, and analyzing aggregate usage.
• Consent: setting non-essential analytics and advertising cookies. You may withdraw consent at any time.
• Legal obligation: retaining certain records and responding to lawful requests.

6. Advertising & Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements that help keep PaletteCSS free. Google and its partners may use cookies and device identifiers to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.

• Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits.
• Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to our Service and/or other sites on the internet.
• You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendors’ use of cookies at aboutads.info.

7. Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit, what pages they view, and what other sites they used before arriving. This data is reported in aggregate and is not used to personally identify you. You can opt out using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

8. Affiliate Links

PaletteCSS participates in affiliate programs, which may include Amazon Associates, Canva, Printful, and Adobe. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships never affect the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

9. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only in the limited circumstances below:

• Service providers: hosting, content delivery, analytics, and advertising partners who process data on our behalf.
• Google: for analytics (Google Analytics) and advertising (Google AdSense).
• Legal & safety: when required by law, subpoena, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of PaletteCSS, our users, or the public.
• Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

10. Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy:

• Submitted palettes & gradients: retained indefinitely, as they form the core public content of the Service.
• IP addresses & session IDs used for spam prevention: up to 90 days.
• Server logs: up to 30 days.
• Email correspondence: for as long as needed to resolve your enquiry and keep a record.

11. Data Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures — such as encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and rate limiting — to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. International Data Transfers

Our Service and the third parties we work with (such as Google) may process and store data on servers located in countries other than your own. Where data is transferred internationally, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as the standard contractual clauses offered by those providers.

13. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have some or all of the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure — request deletion of your personal data
• Restriction & objection — object to or limit certain processing
• Portability — receive your data in a portable format
• Withdraw consent — opt out of non-essential cookies at any time

California residents (CCPA/CPRA): you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion, and to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at palettecss@gmail.com. We will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

14. Children’s Privacy

PaletteCSS is not directed at children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). 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 delete it promptly.

15. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites and services that we do not operate or control. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

16. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. Because there is no industry-wide standard for interpreting DNT signals, the Service does not currently respond to them. You can still manage tracking through the cookie controls described in our Cookie Policy.

17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Material changes may be highlighted more prominently. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us: