Privacy Policy
Last updated: 30 August 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how StopwatchHQ (“we”, “us”) handles information when you use our website and timing tools. We designed the site to collect as little data as possible: all timers run entirely in your browser, and no timing activity is ever sent to us.
What we do not collect
- No accounts — we never ask for your name, email or payment details to use the tools.
- No timer data — your stopwatch laps, countdown durations, pomodoro settings, interval plans and tracked time entries stay on your device.
- No server-side tracking of your tool usage.
Information stored on your device
Your preferences (theme choice, pomodoro and interval settings, last-used durations) are saved in your browser's localStorage. If you use the time tracker, your time entries are also stored only in your browser's localStorage — they never leave your device, are not accessible to us or to third parties, and are removed when you clear your browser data (export a CSV first if you want to keep them). This data never leaves your device and is not accessible to us or to third parties. Clearing your browser data removes it.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate usage of the site (pages visited, approximate country, device type, referral source). GA4 sets cookies and uses device identifiers for this purpose. You can block analytics cookies via your browser settings or any browser-level “Do Not Track”/global privacy control your browser supports.
Advertising and cookies
We display advertising through Google AdSense to keep the tools free. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visits to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
- You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendor cookies at aboutads.info.
- Visitors in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom are shown a consent message (a Google-certified CMP) before personalised ads or cookies are used, in line with the GDPR. You may change or withdraw your consent at any time via the site's cookie choices link.
Further detail is in our Cookie Policy.
Server logs
Like virtually all websites, our hosting provider (Cloudflare) automatically records technical request data (IP address, requested URL, timestamp, user agent) for security and abuse prevention. These logs are retained briefly and are not used to profile you.
Children's privacy
Our services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Your rights
If you are in the EEA/UK, you have rights under the GDPR including access, correction, deletion and objection; if you are in California, the CCPA/CPRA grants you rights to know, delete and opt out of sharing. Because we hold no personal data about you beyond what is described above, most requests concern analytics/advertising cookies — you can exercise those choices directly through the consent message, your browser settings, and the opt-out links above. You may also contact us at any time using the details on our contact page.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy to reflect changes in the site or the law. The “last updated” date above always shows the current version.
Contact
Questions about privacy? Reach us via the contact page.