Last Updated on January, 15, 2026
Our Commitment to Privacy
Hardstop is built on a foundation of privacy and minimal data collection. We collect only what is absolutely necessary to provide our service, and we have zero visibility into your browsing activity.
Core Principle:
Your online activity is completely private. Hardstop cannot and does not see what websites you visit, attempt to visit, or any of your browsing behavior.
Information We collect
Account Information
When you create a Hardstop account, we collect:
Email address (for account access, password delivery, and communication)
Password (encrypted and stored securely)
Cooling off period preference (the duration you select)
Account creation date
Payment Information
We collect payment information to process your subscription:
Payment method details (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
Billing address
Transaction history
Important: Payment processing is handled by our secure third-party payment processor. Hardstop does not store complete credit card numbers on our servers.
Device Information
To provide the correct configuration:
Device type (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Android)
Operating system version
Device identifier (to link configuration to your account)
Configuration installation status
Service Usage Information
Account status (active, cancelled, trial)
Subscription period dates
Support request history
Password request dates and times
What We DO NOT Collect
Hardstop is designed for maximum privacy. We do NOT collect, store, or have access to:
Browsing history
DNS queries (sites you visit or attempt to visit)
Websites accessed or blocked
Search terms or keywords
App usage patterns
Time spent on websites or apps
Location data (beyond what's necessary for payment processing)
Contacts, photos, or other personal device data
Any information about your online activity
Zero Logging:
All Hardstop filtering configurations are set with logging disabled. This means no records are created or stored of your DNS queries or browsing activity by Hardstop or our service providers.
4. How DNS Filtering Works
Hardstop uses DNS-level content filtering to block access to adult content.
Here's how it works while protecting your privacy:
The Process:
Your device makes a DNS request (e.g., "what is the IP address of example.com?")
The request goes to our DNS filtering service
The service checks if the domain is on the blocklist
If blocked: No response is provided (site doesn't load)
If allowed: DNS response is returned (site loads normally)
The query is immediately discarded—no log is created
Your Privacy Protection:
DNS queries are processed in real-time and immediately discarded
No records are kept of blocked or allowed requests
Your IP address is anonymized during processing
No browsing history or patterns are created or stored
What This Means: Even if law enforcement or a court ordered us to provide your browsing history, we couldn't comply because we don't have it. The data simply doesn't exist.
5. How We Use Your Information
We use the limited information we collect only for these purposes:
Service Delivery:
Creating and managing your account
Delivering configuration profiles to your devices
Enforcing your selected cooling off period
Processing password release requests
Providing customer support
Communication:
Sending password when cooling off period expires
Responding to support requests
Sending account notifications (payment issues, subscription renewal)
Emergency access communications
Payment Processing:
Charging your payment method for subscriptions
Processing refunds (when applicable)
Managing billing disputes
Service Improvement:
Analyzing aggregate usage patterns (not individual behavior)
Improving service reliability and performance
Developing new features
We Never:
Sell your data to third parties
Use your data for advertising
Share your information with data brokers
Track you across other websites or services
Build profiles of your online behavior
6. Third-Party Service Providers
Hardstop works with carefully selected service providers to deliver our service. These providers process data only as necessary and are contractually obligated to protect your privacy.
Categories of Service Providers:
DNS Filtering Services:
Purpose: Provide DNS-level content blocking
Data Processed: DNS queries (immediately discarded, not logged)
Privacy Protections: Zero logging, IP anonymization, GDPR compliant
Data Retention: None (queries discarded in real-time)
Payment Processing:
Purpose: Process subscription payments
Data Processed: Payment information, billing address
Provider Type: PCI-DSS compliant payment processor
Hardstop's Access: We do not store complete credit card numbers
Email Services:
Purpose: Send account emails and passwords
Data Processed: Email address, email content
Usage: Transactional emails only (no marketing without consent)
Cloud Infrastructure:
Purpose: Host our application and database
Data Processed: Account information, configuration data
Security: Encrypted at rest and in transit
Service Provider Requirements:
All third-party providers must:
Process data only as instructed by Hardstop
Implement appropriate security measures
Not sell or share user data
Comply with applicable privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
Delete data when no longer needed
Your Rights:
You may request information about our specific service providers by contacting info@tryhardstop.com.
Data Security
We take data security seriously and employ industry-standard measures to protect your information:
Technical Measures:
Encryption in transit: All data transmitted between your device and our servers uses TLS encryption
Encryption at rest: Stored data is encrypted in our databases
Password security: Passwords are hashed using industry-standard algorithms
Access controls: Limited employee access to user data
Regular security audits: Third-party security assessments
Organizational Measures:
Mandatory employee privacy training
Strict data access policies
Incident response procedures
Regular security policy reviews
Important Limitation:
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, though we implement best practices to protect your data.
Data Breach Notification:
In the unlikely event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will:
Notify you via email within 72 hours
Describe what information was affected
Explain what steps we're taking
Advise you on protective measures
Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary:
Active Accounts:
Account information: Retained while account is active
Payment history: Retained for 7 years (legal requirement)
Support communications: Retained for 2 years
Configuration passwords: Held during cooling off period only
After Account Cancellation:
0-30 days: Account data retained (in case you want to reactivate)
30 days: Account automatically deleted unless you request otherwise
Payment records: Retained for 7 years per legal requirements
Configuration passwords: Provided to you immediately upon request
After Account Deletion:
All personal information is permanently deleted except:
Payment transaction records (required by law for 7 years)
Aggregated, anonymized usage statistics
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location, you may have specific privacy rights:
All Users Have the Right To:
Access: Request a copy of your personal data
Correction: Update inaccurate information
Deletion: Request deletion of your account and data
Portability: Receive your data in a common format
Object: Object to certain data processing activities
Withdraw consent: Stop receiving non-essential communications
How to Exercise Your Rights:
Email: info@tryhardstop.com
Response time: Within 30 days
Jurisdiction-Specific Rights:
GDPR (European Union):
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to automated decision-making
CCPA (California):
Right to know what personal information is collected
Right to know if personal information is sold (we don't sell data)
Right to opt-out of data sales (not applicable—we don't sell)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising rights
Australian Privacy Act:
Right to access and correct personal information
Right to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Cookies and Tracking
Our Website:
Our website (tryhardstop.com) uses cookies and tracking to operate and improve our service:
Essential Cookies:
Session cookies (keeps you logged in)
Security cookies (prevents fraud)
Authentication tokens
Analytics & Tracking: We use analytics services to understand how people use our website:
Page views and navigation patterns
Traffic sources (how you found us)
Device and browser information
Aggregate usage statistics
This helps us improve the website and understand what's working.
Advertising & Marketing: We use tracking pixels and cookies for:
Retargeting ads (showing ads to people who visited our site)
Conversion tracking (measuring if ads work)
Social media advertising platforms
Search engine advertising
Other digital advertising platforms
This helps us reach people who might benefit from Hardstop and measure our marketing effectiveness.
Important: This tracking only applies to our website and marketing. Once you're using Hardstop's filtering service on your device, we cannot and do not track your browsing activity. The DNS filtering service has zero logging.
Your Choices:
Opt Out of Ads:
Use browser extensions (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger)
Adjust ad settings on the platforms you use
Use "Do Not Track" browser settings
Control Cookies:
Block cookies in your browser settings
Clear existing cookies
Use privacy-focused browsers
Note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent you from logging into your account.
International Data Transfer
Hardstop operates globally and may transfer your data internationally:
Data Storage:
Primary servers located in: United States
Backup servers located in: [specify if applicable]
International Transfers: Data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. When we transfer data internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards:
Standard Contractual Clauses (EU-approved)
Privacy Shield certification (where applicable)
Adequacy decisions by relevant authorities
Your Rights Remain: Your privacy rights apply regardless of where your data is processed.
Children's Privacy
Hardstop is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age.
No Knowing Collection: We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor:
Contact us immediately at info@tryhardstop.com
We will delete the information promptly
We will terminate the account
Parental Responsibility: If a parent discovers their child is using Hardstop, please contact us to have the account terminated.
California "Shine the Light" Law
California residents may request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes.
Our Practice:
We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. Therefore, no disclosure is required under California Civil Code Section 1798.83.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:
Changes in our practices
Changes in legal requirements
Changes in technology or service offerings
Notice of Changes:
Updated policy will be posted on this page
"Last Updated" date will be revised
For material changes, we will notify you via email
Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
Your Options: If you disagree with updated policy:
You may cancel your subscription
You may request deletion of your data
Material changes allow 30-day window for cancellation with pro-rated refund
Contact Us About Privacy
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding privacy:
Privacy Contact:
Email: info@tryhardstop.com
Response time: Within 30 days
General Support:
Email: info@tryhardstop.com
Mailing Address:
Hardstop LLC
131 Continental Dr Suite 305
Newark, DE 19713
United States
Data Protection Officer:
For GDPR inquiries: info@tryhardstop.com
Contact Us About Privacy
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding privacy:
Privacy Contact:
Email: info@tryhardstop.com
Response time: Within 30 days
General Support:
Email: info@tryhardstop.com
Mailing Address:
Hardstop LLC
131 Continental Dr Suite 305
Newark, DE 19713
United States
Data Protection Officer:
For GDPR inquiries: info@tryhardstop.com