PRIVACY POLICY
Last Updated: January 23, 2026
SideChat ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you use our random chat service.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
SideChat is designed to be anonymous and does not require registration. However, we automatically collect certain technical information:
a) Information Automatically Collected:
IP Address (for security, moderation, and geographic routing)
Device type and browser information
Timestamps of connections and disconnections
Chat session metadata (duration, number of messages)
Reported content and user reports
b) Information You Provide:
Chat messages (temporary, not stored permanently)
Any content you voluntarily share during conversations
User preferences (age range, gender, location filters if selected)
Report submissions
We DO NOT collect:
Names or email addresses
Phone numbers
Payment information
Account credentials (no accounts required)
Permanent chat logs or message history
HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use the information we collect to:
Provide and maintain the Service
Match you with other users based on preferences
Ensure security and prevent abuse
Moderate content and enforce our Terms of Use
Respond to user reports
Comply with legal obligations
Improve and optimize the Service
Analyze usage patterns and trends (aggregated data only)
HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATIONWe do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.
We may share information in the following circumstances:
With Law Enforcement: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, subpoena, or to protect our legal rights
Service Providers: We may share data with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the Service (e.g., hosting, analytics)
Safety and Security: We may disclose information to prevent fraud, abuse, or harm to users or others
Business Transfers: If SideChat is acquired or merged, your information may be transferred to the new owner
DATA RETENTION
Chat messages are temporary and are not permanently stored
Connection metadata (IP addresses, timestamps) is retained for 30-90 days for security and moderation purposes
Reported content may be stored longer for investigation and legal compliance
Banned user data (IP addresses) may be retained indefinitely to prevent repeat violations
COOKIES AND TRACKING
SideChat may use cookies and similar technologies to:
Remember your preferences (age, gender, location filters)
Maintain your session while using the Service
Prevent abuse and enforce bans
Analyze website traffic and usage
You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may affect the functionality of the Service.
For more information, see our Cookie Policy.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
SideChat may use third-party services for:
Web hosting (Railway, Hostinger, etc.)
Analytics (if applicable)
Content delivery networks (CDN)
Moderation tools
These third parties have their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices.
DATA SECURITY
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information, including:
Encrypted connections (HTTPS/SSL)
Secure server infrastructure
Access controls and monitoring
Regular security updates
However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
SideChat is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we discover that we have collected data from someone under 18, we will delete it immediately.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has used SideChat, please contact us.
YOUR RIGHTS
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
Access: Request a copy of the data we have about you
Deletion: Request deletion of your data
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
Opt-Out: Opt out of certain data collection (e.g., cookies)
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@sidechat.com
Note: Due to the anonymous nature of SideChat, we may not be able to identify you or retrieve specific data unless you provide your IP address and connection timestamp.
INTERNATIONAL USERS
SideChat is operated from [Your Country]. If you are accessing the Service from outside this jurisdiction, your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in [Your Country].
By using SideChat, you consent to the transfer of your information to our servers and facilities.
CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have the right to:
Know what personal information we collect
Request deletion of your personal information
Opt-out of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell data)
To exercise these rights, contact us at support@sidechat.com.
EUROPEAN USERS (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have additional rights under GDPR:
Right to access your data
Right to rectification of inaccurate data
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object to processing
Right to withdraw consent
Legal basis for processing:
Legitimate interests (providing the Service, security, fraud prevention)
Consent (for optional features like preference filters)
To exercise your rights or file a complaint, contact us or your local data protection authority.
DO NOT TRACK
Some browsers have "Do Not Track" (DNT) features. SideChat does not currently respond to DNT signals.
CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
CONTACT US
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, contact us at:
Email: support@sidechat.com
Website: https://sidechat.chat
CONSENT
By using SideChat, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.