Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
Effective date: January 2, 2026

Welcome to OpenFileHelp. Your trust matters to us. This Privacy Policy explains how OpenFileHelp (“OpenFileHelp”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you visit our website openfilehelp.com, use our FileFixer widget, submit files for analysis, subscribe to our newsletters, watch our videos, or otherwise interact with our services. It also explains your choices and rights regarding your personal information.

Please read this policy carefully. By using OpenFileHelp, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use the site or submit files.

Contents Outline

1. Summary — the short version (plain language)

Quick ID and preview: Our FileFixer widget can identify file types locally in your browser. This means many analyses happen on your device only — we do not upload or store your file unless you explicitly choose to upload it.
Optional uploads and deep analysis: If you choose to upload a file for deeper analysis or repair, we will ask for explicit consent and explain how long the file will be stored. Uploaded files are processed in secure, isolated environments and are deleted automatically after the processing time we state (typically 24–72 hours).
Hash-only malware checks: We may offer a hash-only check (SHA-256) to query third-party malware databases (like VirusTotal). When you agree, we only send the file hash, not the file contents.
Minimal data retention for analytics: We keep minimal, aggregated analytics and logs for site performance and security. Any hashes or analysis metadata we keep for troubleshooting or improvement are retained for short periods (see details below).
Your rights: You can contact us to request access, corrections, deletion, or export of your data. See the “Your Rights” section for details.

2. Who we are and how to contact us

OpenFileHelp
Website: https://openfilehelp.com
Support email: info@openfilehelp.com
Privacy / Data Requests: openfilehelp@gmail.com

For urgent security or privacy concerns, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com. We aim to respond to privacy requests within 30 days.

3. What information we collect and why

We collect different categories of information depending on how you interact with OpenFileHelp. We separate them into three broad groups below: (A) information you provide directly, (B) information collected automatically, and (C) information derived from interactions or third parties.

A. Information you give us directly

You provide this information when you sign up for email lists, contact support, submit a file for analysis, sign up for a paid service, or otherwise communicate with us.

Examples and uses:

Email address and name — to deliver newsletters, reports, or reply to your support request; to send confirmations and receipts; to deliver the Ultimate File Opener Cheat Sheet if you request it.
Files you upload — only when you explicitly choose to upload for deep analysis or repair; used solely to perform the requested analysis or repair and to produce the report you requested.
Form entries and messages — the text you submit via contact forms, feedback, bug reports, or the “submit file” form; used to respond and improve services.
Payment details — when you buy a paid service or credits, payment is processed by our trusted third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe or PayPal). We do not store credit card numbers on our servers unless specifically stated; we rely on the payment processor’s secure tokenization and storage.

B. Information collected automatically

When you visit or use our site or embedded tools, we automatically collect certain information for analytics, security, and performance.

Examples and uses:

Log data — IP address, browser type, device, pages visited, timestamps, referral source. Used for analytics, troubleshooting, abuse prevention, and security.
Cookies and tracking — we and our partners use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to enable site functionality, remember preferences, measure site performance, and run analytics and advertising. See the Cookies section for details.
File metadata and hash (client-side) — when you run the FileFixer widget client-side, your browser may compute a SHA-256 hash of a file and optionally send that hash to a third-party database for malware checking. The hash is a one-way fingerprint; it does not reveal file contents.
Crash and diagnostic data — if an error occurs while using the widget, we may collect anonymous diagnostics to debug the issue.

C. Information from third parties

We may receive information about you from third-party integrations you choose to use (for example, social logins, Affiliate networks, or anti-malware API providers), and from analytics providers. We rely on such providers’ own privacy policies and share limited data only as necessary to fulfill the service.

4. How we use information — our purposes

We use the information collected for the following purposes:

To provide and improve services — identifying file types, showing safe previews, analyzing uploads, repairing files, and developing or refining repair tools and diagnostics.
To communicate with you — send transactional emails (receipts, service status), newsletters (with your consent), and support responses.
To run and secure the site — detect abuse or malicious activity, protect the site and users, and ensure service stability.
To personalize and recommend — suggest relevant guides, tools, or money pages based on the file type or problem you describe.
For analytics and measurement — understand how users use the site so we can make it better.
For legal and safety reasons — to comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Service, or investigate or prevent fraud or security incidents.
For marketing and advertising (with consent) — show relevant offers, measure ad effectiveness, and run promotions.

We will only use uploaded files or their contents to perform the service you requested, or as otherwise consented by you. If you do not consent to upload a file, we will not process it server-side.

5. FileFixer widget — practical privacy details

A central feature of OpenFileHelp is the FileFixer widget. We designed it with privacy-first principles. Here’s what happens in practice:

Client-side identification: By default, FileFixer reads the first bytes of a file in your browser (e.g., the file header) and performs type detection locally. No file data leaves your device in this mode.
Hash-only checks: If you request a malware/hash lookup, FileFixer computes a SHA-256 hash in your browser and sends only that hash to the selected malware database (e.g., VirusTotal) or to our server for lookup. We do not send file contents. Only when you choose to do a full file upload (explicit consent) will the file contents be transmitted to our backend for deep analysis.
Optional upload for deep analysis: If you choose upload, the widget will present clear consent text explaining retention, processing, and deletion policies. Uploaded files are processed in isolated environments and deleted automatically within the timeframe shown at upload (typically 24–72 hours). You can request earlier deletion; see “Your Rights” below.
No surprise uploads: We will never upload your files without clear, explicit consent each time.

6. Sharing, disclosures, and third parties

We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Service providers and processors: We use third-party service providers (payment processors, cloud hosts, sandbox providers, analytics vendors, email providers) to perform services on our behalf. We only share the minimum data required for those providers to perform their tasks and require them to adhere to appropriate data protection standards.
Security and enforcement: To prevent or detect fraud, abuse, security incidents, or wrongdoing. We may share information with law enforcement, regulators, or other parties when required by law, to protect rights, or to respond to legal process.
Business transfers: If we sell or transfer some or all of our assets, including in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or bankruptcy, your information may be included in the transfer.
With your consent: We will share information outside these uses only with your explicit consent.

We do not sell your personal information for money. If our practice changes, we will update this policy and obtain your consent if required by law.

7. Cookies, tracking and advertising

We use cookies and similar technologies to make the site work and to improve your experience. Cookies fall into several categories:

Essential cookies — required for site functionality (session, security). These cannot be disabled without affecting the site.
Performance and analytics cookies — used to collect anonymous usage data (for example, Google Analytics / GA4). These help us improve content and performance.
Functional cookies — remember preferences like language or cookie consent.
Advertising and targeting cookies — used to display relevant ads and measure ad performance. We may use third-party ad networks (e.g., Google AdSense, Ezoic, Mediavine) which set cookies. If you do not want personalized ads, check your ad settings or use built-in opt-outs (for example, Google’s ad settings).

You can control cookies via your browser settings or our cookie consent tool. Note that disabling some cookies may reduce site functionality.

8. Advertising and affiliate links

OpenFileHelp uses advertising networks and affiliate programs to fund the site. We may earn commissions when you click affiliate links and make purchases. Affiliate links are disclosed clearly when present in guides or money pages.

Advertisers may use tracking technologies to collect anonymous info about your browsing across different sites and serve you targeted ads. We do not control third-party advertisers’ tracking practices. Consult the advertiser’s privacy policy to learn more and opt out where options exist.

9. Security measures

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. These measures include encrypted transmission (HTTPS/TLS), server-side access controls, data minimization principles, and sandboxing for file processing.

However, no system is perfect. If you suspect a security issue or unauthorized access to your data, please notify privacy@openfilehelp.com immediately.

10. Data retention and deletion

We keep your personal data only for as long as needed to provide the services, to comply with legal obligations, or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., analytics or fraud prevention). Typical retention periods:

Uploaded files for deep analysis: deleted automatically within 24–72 hours after processing unless you consent to a longer retention period for troubleshooting. If you request deletion earlier, we will act promptly.
File hashes and lightweight metadata: retained for up to 90 days for analytics and abuse prevention, after which they are deleted or anonymized.
Support correspondence and email records: retained for up to 3 years for customer support and record-keeping unless you request deletion.
Billing records: retained as required by law (often 5–7 years) for tax and accounting purposes (if you make paid purchases).
Aggregated and anonymized analytics: retained indefinitely to improve the service; this data cannot reasonably be associated with you.

To request deletion or export of your personal data, follow the procedures in Your Rights below.

11. Your Rights and choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights over your personal data. We aim to honor these rights to the fullest extent required by applicable law.

You may be able to:

Access the personal information we hold about you and receive a copy.
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
Delete personal data we maintain (subject to legal or contractual exceptions).
Export your personal data in a commonly used format.
Object to certain processing, including direct marketing.
Restrict processing while a dispute is resolved.

To exercise these rights, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com. We may ask you to verify your identity before fulfilling the request. We will respond within the time required by law (generally 30–45 days).

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority if you believe your rights are not being respected.

12. Children and age limits

OpenFileHelp is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age. If you believe we have collected data from a child under the applicable age, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com and we will promptly take steps to delete the information.

13. International data transfers

OpenFileHelp operates internationally. By using the site, you acknowledge that your data may be processed or stored in countries other than your own. We seek to ensure appropriate protections for cross-border transfers, such as standard contractual clauses or contractual protections with processors. If you have concerns about international transfers, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com.

14. Third-party services and links

Our site contains links to third-party websites, tools, and services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties. Visiting other websites (including those linked from our content) may involve cookies and tracking performed by those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

15. Payments and subscriptions

If you purchase paid services (for example, premium repair credits or a subscription), payment processing will be handled by our third-party payment processor. We do not store your credit card information on our servers (unless explicitly stated). Billing and payment data is subject to the payment processor’s privacy policy. We will store transactional records (receipts) as required for accounting and legal compliance.

16. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will post a prominent notice on the site and update the effective date above. Where required by law, we will obtain your consent for material changes that affect how we use or share previously collected personal data.

17. Legal basis for processing (EEA residents)

If you are an EEA resident, the lawful bases for our processing activities include:

Consent: where you have explicitly consented (for example, signups or optional uploads).
Performance of a contract: to deliver the service you requested.
Legal obligation: to comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
Legitimate interests: to operate, secure, and improve the site and to prevent fraud (balanced against your rights and freedoms).

If you would like more information on the lawful basis for specific processing activities, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com.

18. How we protect your file data

We use a combination of technical and organizational measures to secure files you upload for analysis:

Files uploaded for analysis are stored encrypted at rest and processed in isolated containers (ephemeral virtual machines) with restricted network egress.
Files are queued for processing and removed from the processing system and backups once deleted.
Access to uploaded files and analysis reports is limited to authorized personnel who need access to operate or support the service and is logged for auditing.
We run routine security assessments and patch management to reduce vulnerabilities.

Remember: do not upload passwords, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or other highly sensitive personal data unless your use case absolutely requires it and you are comfortable with the privacy trade-offs. If you must upload sensitive material, contact privacy@openfilehelp.com to discuss secure processing options.

19. Dispute resolution and governing law

Any dispute arising out of or related to this Privacy Policy or our data practices will be governed by the laws stated in our Terms of Service. If you are in the EEA and local laws provide additional rights, those laws will apply. For details about how disputes are handled, see our Terms of Service or contact privacy@openfilehelp.com.

20. Contact and how to make requests

For privacy-related requests or questions, contact:

Info@openfilehelp.com or openfilehelp@gmail.com

Please provide:

Your name and email address used on the site.
Clear description of the request (access, deletion, correction, export).
If requesting deletion or export, any identifiers or job IDs (if applicable) that would help locate your data.

We will verify your identity before processing requests to protect against unauthorized disclosure.

21. Final notes and encouragement

We aim to be transparent and helpful. Privacy is an ongoing commitment — we continuously review our practices to protect your data while giving you useful, reliable tools to open and recover files. If you have suggestions about how we can improve our privacy practices, please reach out at info.

Thank you for trusting OpenFileHelp. We’re here to help you open files — safely, clearly, and with your privacy respected.