Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how BusinessNameChecker.net ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you visit businessnamechecker.net (the "Site"). Please read it carefully. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described below.

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

We do not require you to create an account or provide personal information to use our tool. If you contact us via our contact page, we receive the name, email address, and message you provide.

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Site, certain information is collected automatically:

• Log data: Your browser and Cloudflare's infrastructure may log your IP address, browser type, referring URL, pages visited, and timestamps. This data is used to maintain security and analyse traffic.
• Cookies and similar technologies: We and our third-party partners use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies. See Section 3 for details.
• DNS queries: When you check a business name, our tool queries Cloudflare's public DNS-over-HTTPS API (1.1.1.1). These queries pass through Cloudflare's infrastructure and are subject to Cloudflare's Privacy Policy. We do not log or store the names you check on our servers.
• Local storage: Your Watchlist and cookie consent preference are stored in your browser's local storage. This data never leaves your device and is not accessible to us.

2. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve the Site and its features
• Serve relevant advertisements through Google AdSense
• Monitor and analyse usage trends and Site performance
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security issues
• Respond to your enquiries and support requests
• Comply with legal obligations

3. Cookies and Advertising

Google AdSense

We use Google AdSense to display advertisements on this Site. Google AdSense uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other websites on the internet. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visits to our Site and/or other sites on the internet.

You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you can opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalised advertising by visiting aboutads.info.

For more information on how Google uses data collected through its advertising services, see How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps.

Cookie consent

When you first visit the Site, we display a cookie consent banner. If you click "Decline," we instruct Google AdSense to serve non-personalised ads only. If you click "Accept All," ads may be personalised based on your browsing history. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser's local storage for this site.

Types of cookies used

• Essential cookies: Required for the Site to function (e.g., your cookie consent preference stored in local storage).
• Advertising cookies: Set by Google AdSense to deliver relevant ads and measure their effectiveness.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: We use Cloudflare to host the Site and for DNS lookups. These providers process data on our behalf under their own privacy policies.
• Advertising partners: Google AdSense receives data as described in Section 3.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business transfers: If we merge with or are acquired by another entity, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5. Your Rights — GDPR (EEA/UK Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right of access: Request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
• Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
• Right to restrict processing: Request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to data portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to object: Object to processing of your data for direct marketing or on grounds of legitimate interest.
• Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority.

Our legal basis for processing personal data is our legitimate interest in operating a free tool and displaying advertising to fund it, balanced against your rights and interests. Where we rely on consent (for personalised advertising), you may withdraw it at any time using the cookie consent banner.

6. Your Rights — CCPA (California Users)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you the following rights:

• Right to know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
• Right to delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected.
• Right to opt out of sale: We do not sell personal information.
• Right to non-discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

To submit a CCPA request, contact us at [email protected].

7. Data Retention

We retain server log data for up to 30 days as part of our security and infrastructure monitoring. Your Watchlist and consent preference are stored only in your browser's local storage and are deleted when you clear your browser data. We do not retain records of the business names you search.

8. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). 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.

9. Links to Third-Party Sites

The Site may contain links to external websites, including the USPTO trademark database and domain registrars. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us: